Presidential Honor Announced at Rally
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that he would award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to retired Major League Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens. The announcement was made during a rally in San Antonio, where Trump addressed the crowd and called Clemens "maybe the greatest pitcher of all time." The president also highlighted Clemens' seven-time Cy Young Award wins as part of his justification for the honor.
Clemens, who played a 24-year career with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros, was called to the stage by the president. Upon receiving the announcement, Clemens stated, "Well, I'm stunned," according to reports from the event.
Trump described the Presidential Medal of Freedom as "the highest award bestowed upon anyone" alongside the Congressional Medal of Honor. He added that the honor is "a big step up from the Hall of Fame," emphasizing the distinction between the two accolades during his speech at the rally.
Renewed Calls for Hall of Fame Induction
During the same address, Trump renewed his calls for Clemens to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The president stated that Clemens "deserves" induction and called him "one of the greatest athletes, and maybe the greatest pitcher, of all time." These remarks came as part of a broader effort to clear the former pitcher's name regarding past controversies.
Clemens has yet to receive the honor. He was not inducted due to suspicions that he used steroids during his career. In 2022, during his final year of consideration for the Hall of Fame, Clemens denied entry.
Previous Recipients and Context
Trump has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to various athletes during his two terms in the White House. Previous recipients include golfing legend Tiger Woods, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, famed Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, and Lou Holtz, the former coach of Notre Dame football.
The president has also bestowed the honor on Elvis Presley posthumously and conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh the year before Limbaugh died.