It was on this day in 1996 that free agent starting pitcher Roger Clemens signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. Clemens signed a four-year, $40 million deal to be the ace of the Blue Jays pitching staff.

Although he signed a four-year contract, Clemens lasted only two seasons in Toronto before being traded to the New York Yankees for starting pitcher David Wells, second basemen Homer Bush and relief pitcher Graeme Lloyd.  However, Clemens did dominate in his short stint with the Blue Jays, as he won the Cy Young award during both of his seasons in Toronto. Clemens won the pitching triple crown in each of those seasons, as he led the American League in wins, strikeouts and earned run average.

Roger Clemens achieved personal success while with Toronto, but the team did not perform well around him, as they finished in last place in 1997 and third place in 1998, missing the playoffs both years. In his first two seasons with the Yankees, Clemens helped New York win back-to-back World Series titles.  Those would be the only two championships of his career.

Here is a look at Clemens during his first year with the Yankees.

Notable Birthdays

Ferguson Jenkins, MLB – Born December 13th 1942 (age 70) in Chatham, Ontario

Sergei Fedorov, NHL – Born December 13th 1969 (age 43) in Pskov, Soviet Union

Ricky Nolasco, MLB – Born December 13th 1982 (age 30) in Corona, California