Former Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday during a rally in San Antonio, Texas.
Trump made the announcement while introducing Clemens at the campaign event. "We're giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump stated.
Clemens, an 11-time All-Star and seven-time Cy Young Award winner, expressed surprise at the news. "Well, I'm stunned, number one," Clemens told the crowd. "And again, 24 years, y'all. This supersedes anything that, obviously, I've done in my playing career. And to get it from this man, this president, there wouldn't be another president I'd want to get [it] from."
The Texas native played 24 MLB seasons, including stints with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Yankees. He concluded his career in 2007 at age 44. During his career, Clemens earned the 1986 American League MVP award and twice won the pitching Triple Crown in 1997 and 1998. He ranks ninth all-time with 354 career wins.
Despite his considerable on-field achievements, Clemens was never inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His candidacy was impacted by allegations of steroid use, though he never tested positive for banned substances. He remains eligible for induction through the Today's Game Committee.
President Trump has previously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to numerous athletes, including Babe Ruth, Mariano Rivera, Tiger Woods, and Roger Staubach.