Not Hendricks. News that the Astros have offered Clemens a pro-rated $18-million contract to pitch the rest of the season came from the team, not the agent. When the Associated Press called Hendricks for confirmation, the agent was unavailable. Why should he be? He doesn’t need to tout his client’s abilities or sell him to the world. If ever there were a player whose skills need no introduction, Clemens is it.

Hence, the recruiting atmosphere. The Astros, his most recent team, made the first offer, the $18 million being the same amount they paid him last year for a spectacular season. The Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers are also interested in him, and, now that they know what the Astros are willing to spend, they can plan their assaults accordingly.

What makes it interesting is, as in college, it’s not really about the money. Everybody’s offering the same thing: a full ride at whatever the going rate is. And Clemens has made enough money during his career so that the difference of a couple of million dollars between one offer and another isn’t going to sway him.

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Instead, each team has to convince him that it and not the other pursuers is the best choice. Houston, New York and Boston all have playoff-caliber teams. Texas is leading the AL West and can argue that with the addition of Clemens, it can win that division.

But they’ll have to go even farther. There’s Clemens’ family to consider and his desire to be home between starts. There’s his son, Kody, a third baseman in the Houston organization. There are quality of life issues, fan issues, endorsement issues.

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Usually, it’s the player making his case, then, perhaps at the end, weighing the benefits of one team over another. There are elements of recruiting with the elite free agents, but when it comes down to money, there’s still a battle to be fought. And in all instances, the player’s agent leads the assault.

With Clemens, it’s an old-fashioned bidding war. Hendricks doesn’t even have to answer his phone if he doesn’t feel like it. Everything and everybody is coming to Clemens, asking what it will take to make him happy.

It’s like being a hot-shot athlete in high school again. It’s like being 18, but without the acne and getting carded in bars.

Oh, to be Roger Clemens.

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