WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 18: Former all-star baseball pitcher Roger Clemens (C) becomes emotional while talking to the news media after he was found not guilty on 13 counts of perjury and obstruction outside the Prettyman U.S. Court House June 18, 2012 in Washington, DC. The former Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees pitcher's original trial in 2011 was declared a mistrial after the judge said the prosecution presented inadmissible testimony that prejudiced the jury. A seven-time Cy Young Award winner, Clemens is on trial for making false statements, perjury and obstructing Congress when he testified about steroid use during a February 2008 inquiry by the House Oversight and Government Affairs. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump announced that he would award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Roger Clemens, calling the seven-time Cy Young Winner “maybe the greatest pitcher of all time.”
During a rally in San Antonio, Trump renewed his calls for Clemens to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s an honor that Clemens has yet to receive because of suspicions that he used steroids during his 24-year career.
“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.”
The President continued, “He’ll be in the Hall of Fame someday, but he deserves it. One of the greatest athletes, and maybe the greatest pitcher, of all time.”
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He added that the medal “is a big step up from the Hall of Fame.”
Clemens, who was attending the event, was called up to the stage by the President, where the retired pitcher offered, “Well, I’m stunned.”
“This supersedes anything that I’ve obviously done in my playing career,” Clemens said. “And to get it from this man, this president, there wouldn’t be another president I’d want to get it from.”
Clemens, who was raised in Houston, said he was honored that the announcement came in Texas and added of Trump: “You’re talking about a winner. That’s a winner right there.”
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