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Reporter Gets Autograph on Walking Papers

Japanese Clemens fan scores memorabilia, loses season credential

By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User

Posted Jul 20, 2007 8:03 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Japanese reporters have become a familiar sight in baseball clubhouses, but hints of a culture clash endure. A Fuji Evening News scribe who wasn't up on the American rules about asking players for autographs got a refresher course this week after he asked Roger Clemens for his John Hancock and the Baseball Writers' Association of America revoked his membership.

Hiroki Homma, who says he was ignorant of the MLB ban on autograph hounds, issued an apology to the Yankees. The team pulled his season credential, but a Yankee spokesman describes the faux pas as an "innocent mistake." Homma can still keep track of Hideki Matsui—and Clemens—from the press box: The team says he'll receive individual game passes.

New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens wipes his forehead after struggling against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the third inning of a baseball game Friday night July 13, 2007 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens wipes his forehead after struggling against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the third inning of a baseball game Friday night July 13, 2007 in St. Petersburg, Fla....   (Associated Press)
New York Yankees' Roger Clemens puts his head in his shirt during the baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium in New York, Wednesday, July 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Yankees' Roger Clemens puts his head in his shirt during the baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium in New York, Wednesday, July 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)   (Associated Press)
Pitcher Roger Clemens signs an autograph after the Houston Open golf tournament Pro-Am, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 in Humble, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Pitcher Roger Clemens signs an autograph after the Houston Open golf tournament Pro-Am, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 in Humble, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)   (Associated Press)
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"If you don't think reporters aren't dining out on their 'What's Roger Clemens really like?' stories, you're crazy"
Deadspin

 
MLB • New York Yankees • Roger Clemens • Baseball Writers' Association of America • Hiroki Homma • BBWAA • baseball

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