Former Major League Baseball star Roger Clemens received an announcement for the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump in San Antonio, Texas, where he immediately disputed a statistical claim made by the president regarding his career. According to the Associated Press, the public exchange occurred during a political rally on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, though a formal date for the presentation of the nation’s highest civilian honor has not yet been named.
Donald Trump Announces Highest Civil Honor for Roger Clemens
President Trump used a campaign appearance in San Antonio to rally support for Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, as reported by the Associated Press. During the event, the president turned his attention to sports history, singling out Clemens as a candidate for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Trump praised the seven-time Cy Young Award winner as a powerful and precise competitor, describing him as potentially the greatest pitcher of all time.
According to a transcript of the rally published by the political media outlet Roll Call, the president asserted that Clemens had hit more opposing batters with pitches than any other hurler in Major League Baseball history, explicitly adding that the statement was true.
Roger Clemens Corrects the President on Baseball Records
Taking the microphone after the announcement, Clemens expressed gratitude for the recognition, telling the crowd that the planned honor surpassed anything he had accomplished during his 24-year professional career. However, the former pitcher immediately challenged the statistical milestone cited by the administration. “I don’t think so, Mr. President,” Clemens remarked on stage, according to the transcript.
Clemens added that when a pitcher throws close to the body, it remains the responsibility of the hitter to move out of the way. Historical data maintained by the statistical reference site Baseball-Reference confirms that Clemens hit 159 opposing batters over the course of his professional career, placing him 15th on the all-time Major League Baseball list. The historical record for hitting batters belongs to Gus Weyhing, who accumulated 277 hit-by-pitches, though statistics do not distinguish whether the respective pitches were intentional.
Friendly Tone Prevails Despite Historical Clarification
The onstage correction remained lighthearted and cordial. Roll Call reported that Clemens joked that the president could act as his agent given his detailed enumeration of career values. Both men exchanged praise, and Clemens reiterated his appreciation for the distinction without any political friction arising between them.
The event also featured a push by Trump for Clemens to be admitted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Despite capturing seven Cy Young Awards, Clemens has not been elected, as the Associated Press reports his career is overshadowed by the suspicion that he used performance-enhancing substances. The Associated Press noted that Clemens denies those claims and was acquitted in a proceeding regarding false statements before the United States Congress.
Questions About the Presidential Medal of Freedom Announcement
What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom? It is the highest civilian award of the United States.
Has Roger Clemens been formally awarded the medal? No official date has been announced for the actual presentation ceremony following the initial announcement in San Antonio.
Where does Roger Clemens rank in hit batters? Baseball-Reference records show that Clemens hit 159 batters during his career, ranking him 15th all-time in Major League Baseball history behind leader Gus Weyhing.
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