Butler native Matt Clement, who retired from major league baseball last weekend, will go down as one of the most successful pro athletes in Butler County history, joining the likes of Terry Hanratty, the Saul brothers, Jim Kelly and Jim Simons.

But something about this major league pitcher's career makes him stick out from the rest.

He's never left Butler. Clement always lived here in the offseason and will continue to make his home here in retirement.

His wife, Heather, also is from Butler, their sons will be raised here and will play ball here, with Clement helping to coach them.

Clement is a local guy who made it big and stayed local.

Also, many of Clement's most memorable performances on the diamond occurred at Pittsburgh's PNC Park, with plenty of Butler fans in the stands:

Here are a few of those PNC gems:

n Clement took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Pirates before settling for a two-hit shutout in the best outing of his career.

n Clement struck out a career-high 12 batters.

n Clement pitched his first major league shutout and complete game.

n Clement's first multihit game on May 22, 2003, when he collected three singles. He had three hits in 61 at-bats during all of 2002.

n Clement hit his only major league triple.

That's not a bad resume for pitching here only two or three times a year, at the most.

It's a shame anytime an athlete's career is shortened by injury. Clement spent more than two years working his way back from extensive surgery.

He came close, getting a serious look from the Toronto Blue Jays and mowing down the Team USA lineup in a three-inning stint in early March.

In the end, however, Clement became convinced he couldn't return to his old self, which was as a pitcher who could be counted on for 30 starts, nearly 200 innings and double-digit victories in most years.

Don't feel sorry for him, though. He doesn't feel sorry for himself.

Instead, he's grateful for his 87 major league victories, NLCS win, World Series ring and All-Star Game appearance.

Not bad for a guy who pitched 18 innings of high school baseball and never played in college.

Most importantly, talk to any manager, pitching coach or general manager who ever worked with Matt Clement, to any teammate who ever played with him, to any reporter who ever interviewed him, they'll tell you the same thing:

He always stood accountable, put his team first, was proud to be a big leaguer and carried pride in his hometown everywhere he went.

If you happen to see Clement coaching a basketball or youth baseball game, in the grocery store or just walking down the street, extend a hand to him.

While he was on the big stage, he represented you well.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.