Roger Clemens to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Roger Clemens has been informed that he will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The announcement was made by President Donald Trump during a rally in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday. Trump stated, "We’re giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom." Clemens, a two-time Yankees World Series champion, expressed his surprise at the news, saying, "Well, I’m stunned, number one. 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." Clemens, an 11-time All-Star and seven-time Cy Young Award winner, played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. He ranks ninth all-time with 354 career wins. Despite his achievements, Clemens has not been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, partly due to allegations of steroid use mentioned in the 2007 Mitchell Report, although he never tested positive for banned substances. He remains eligible for induction through the Today’s Game Committee. The list of previous recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in sports includes Babe Ruth, Vin Scully, and Mariano Rivera. Trump has awarded this honor to several athletes during his presidency, including Tiger Woods and Roger Staubach.