President Trump to Award Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Donald Trump revealed plans to present the presidential Medal of Freedom to former baseball star Roger Clemens during a political rally in San Antonio, Texas, on October 7. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, has never been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame due to steroid use allegations. Trump called Clemens “one of the greatest athletes and maybe the greatest pitcher of all time” and praised his competitive spirit despite the controversy.

Trump’s Medal of Freedom Announcement in Texas

At the Freeman Coliseum rally, President Trump announced the award in Clemens’ home state in front of a crowd supporting Republican candidates, including Senate hopeful Attorney General Ken Paxton. Clemens himself introduced Trump and later appeared on stage wearing a blue USA baseball cap to shake hands and express his gratitude. “I’m stunned,” Clemens said. “This supersedes anything that I’ve done in my playing career.” Trump emphasized that the Medal of Freedom is a higher honor than the Hall of Fame, calling it “the highest award bestowed upon anyone” apart from the congressional Medal of Honor.

Clemens’ Baseball Career and Steroid Allegations

Roger Clemens is known for his powerful pitching, tallying 354 wins and 4,672 strikeouts over his career, with an average of 3.12 runs allowed per game. He played college baseball at the University of Texas at Austin, winning the 1983 College World Series, and later pitched for the Houston Astros between 2004 and 2006. Despite his achievements, Clemens was named in the 2007 Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball and failed to secure enough votes for Hall of Fame induction after 10 appearances on the ballot. Clemens has consistently denied any use of performance-enhancing drugs, testifying before Congress and winning a federal grand jury trial on charges related to perjury and false statements.

Trump’s Defense of Clemens and Baseball Legends

President Trump defended Clemens vigorously, stating, “By the way, people talk drugs. He never admitted to anything. They didn’t find anything. He’s just a physical monster.” Trump also praised Clemens’ pitching style, noting, “He was known for two things as a pitcher: power and accuracy. He hit more batters than any other pitcher in history. And when he hit you, it hurt.” Clemens responded with humor, suggesting Trump could serve as his agent, denying he led Major League Baseball in hit batters.

Trump has previously sought to rehabilitate other baseball figures, notably pushing for Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame inclusion despite Rose’s gambling scandal. Trump noted, “He always bet on his own team. He’s a highly competitive guy. He was Charlie Hustle.” Rose died in September 2024 at age 83, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred began efforts to reinstate Rose’s chances after his death, which Trump criticized as coming too late.

Background on the Medal of Freedom

The Medal of Freedom, created by President Harry Truman in 1945, is the United States’ highest civilian honor and has been awarded 675 times to 672 individuals and one group—the Apollo 13 mission team—between 1963 and 2026. There is no formal selection process, and recipients often reflect the sitting President’s political and personal interests. Trump previously awarded the medal posthumously to Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley. Clemens will join this distinguished list as the latest recipient announced by President Trump.

This announcement at a politically charged rally marks another chapter in the ongoing debate over Clemens’ legacy and the impact of allegations on sports honors. As the ceremony approaches, the award is expected to stir further discussion among baseball fans and political observers alike.