Chicago ? After electrifying baseball by striking out 20 batters in only his fifth major-league start, Kerry Wood received many congratulatory phone calls.

One stood out among all the others.

It came from the only big-league pitcher to dominate a game the way Wood did. Roger Clemens, who was on the other end of the phone, also fanned 20 batters in a nine-inning game. Twice. Ten years apart.

Clemens and Wood could hook up for some more history today. Unlike that call five years ago, they can talk in person this time. Two tall Texans with sizzling fastballs tangling at Wrigley Field.

The veteran Clemens, at 40, will be going for his 300th win, the number that defines all great pitchers and a feat that would cap his Hall of Fame career in what he says is his final season.

Wood, now 25, grew up idolizing another great from the Lone Star State — Nolan Ryan, whose No. 34 he wears — and will be trying to get his elusive 50th victory. He hasn’t won since late April.

As a boy, Wood first wanted to be like Ryan, the last pitcher to get 300 wins, back in 1990. Then, along came Clemens, who pitched his first major-league game in 1984 when Wood was 7.

“It makes me feel old,” Clemens said Friday when the Yankees made their first appearance at Wrigley Field since the 1938 World Series.

Clemens, nursing a cold Friday, failed in his first two attempts to get No. 300, including last Sunday when the Yankees blew a 7-1 lead in Detroit.

“I’d like to get it done, so we can cut down on the travel and the hoopla that goes with it,” said Clemens, adding he expects 40 family and friends to be in attendance today.