Baseball legend Roger Clemens to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom, Trump says
Trump campaigns for Ken Paxton in San Antonio
President Donald Trump's latest stop as he makes a series of trips to battleground states before the midterm elections is in Texas this Wednesday. President Trump was in Nebraska Monday night and Maryland Tuesday afternoon.
Legendary Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night.
Trump made the announcement at a rally Thursday night in San Antonio, where he campaigned for Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
What did Trump say about Roger Clemens?
What they're saying:
"We’re giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump said. "And, along with the Congressional Medal of Honor, it’s the highest award bestowed upon anyone.
"He’ll be in the Hall of Fame someday, but he deserves it," Trump continued. "One of the greatest athletes, and maybe the greatest pitcher, of all time."
He added that the medal "is a big step up from the Hall of Fame."
President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Former MLB player Roger Clemens after he was introduced during a campaign rally at the Freeman Coliseum on October 07, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Clemens, who was raised in Houston, said he was honored that the announcement came in Texas.
"You’re talking about a winner," Clemens said of Trump "That’s a winner right there."
Who is Roger Clemens?
The backstory:
Known as "The Rocket," Clemens is a seven-time Cy Young winner, described by Trump as "maybe the greatest pitcher of all time." In his 24-year career, he played for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros.
MORE: Trump awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk posthumously
Clemens was repeatedly rejected by baseball writers in his bid for the Hall of Fame because of his suspected use of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. There are other avenues where Clemens and others could eventually make it, but the road is not easy.
Clemens’ criminal case
Dig deeper:
In 2010, Clemens was charged with perjury and making false statements to Congress. The charges came two years after he testified before a congressional committee investigating the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. Clemens denied taking the drugs, but a former trainer told investigators he personally injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormones.
US prosecutors brought a criminal case against Clemens stemming from his testimony before a congressional committee that was investigating the use of steroids, human growth hormones and other performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
His first trial ended in a mistrial after a judge ruled that prosecutors introduce evidence that wasn’t admissible. A jury found him not guilty of all six counts at his second trial.
The Source: This report includes information from President Donald Trump, Reuters and The Associated Press.