Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens won his record seventh Cy Young Award today at the age of 42. Clemens captured his first ever National League Cy Young after winning six previously in the American League, three with Boston, two with Toronto and one while hurling for the Yankees.

Clemens finished the year with an 18-4 record and a 2.98 ERA and 205 strikeouts and captured 23 of 32 first place votes. Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks finished second while the Astros Roy Oswalt was third.

Clemens became the oldest player ever to win a Cy Young Award. The previous record holder was Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry who was 40 when he won the award back in 1978.

Clemens almost didn't pitch in 2004. 'The Rocket' actually retired after pitching in the 2003 World Series for the Yankees but changed his mind and returned to play for his hometown Houston Astros which allowed him to spend more time with his family. Clemens has yet to reach a decision as to whether or not he'll return to the Astros in 2005.

Clemens is a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer after he retires. His career record is now 328-164 which places him tenth all time on the career wins list. He is second in career strikeouts behind Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. Clemens received a $100,000 bonus for winning the Cy Young Award.