US President Donald Trump embraces former MLB player Roger Clemens (R) during a campaign rally at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas, on October 7, 2026. Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton is in a close race with Democratic candidate James Talarico for one of Texas’ US Senate seats. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
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The Boston Red Sox have a long history of producing stars whose reputations extend well beyond Fenway Park, and few pitchers have left a larger mark than Roger Clemens. The former ace spent 13 seasons with Boston and established himself as one of the most accomplished pitchers of his generation before continuing his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros.
That legacy was back in the spotlight on Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced that Clemens, who has remained barred from the Hall of Fame, would receive the a remarkable political honor.
“President Donald Trump announced at a rally in Texas Wednesday he would award retired baseball star Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Michelle L. Price, Steve Peoples and Thomas Beaumont reported for the Associated Press. “Trump brought the former Red Sox pitcher onstage at a packed Freeman Coliseum and said he would be awarded with the highest civilian honor.”
Trump praised Clemens’ career during the appearance, highlighting his remarkable statistical resume and touting his personal friendship with the seven-time Cy Young Award winner. Clemens, however, found one part of the president’s remarks worth correcting during the announcement.
Boston Red Sox Legend Roger Clemens Offers Pushback On Donald Trump’s Medal Of Honor Announcement
During the appearance, Trump focused on Clemens’ reputation for hitting batters while discussing his career accomplishments.
“He did have a couple of problems,” Trump said, as shown in a clip of the announcement relayed by CSPAN. “He was known for two things as a pitcher: power and accuracy. I said, ‘Then Roger, how come you hit more batters than any other pitcher in history?’ He hit more batters than any pitcher — and when he hit you, it hurt.”
When Clemens was invited to take the podium, he thanked Trump and shared his gratitude for the honor, but pushed back on that statistical inaccuracy.
“The way he talked about all my stats, he could be my agent,” Clemens said. “But I don’t think I lead major league baseball in hit batters, Mr. President.”
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Clemens was accurate in correcting Trump’s curious statistical claim.
Clemens finished his 24-year career with 159 hit batters, which ranks 15th all time, rather than first. Gus Weyhing holds the career record with 277. Clemens also finished with 354 victories and 4,672 strikeouts, along with his seven Cy Young Awards and 11 All-Star selections.
The hit-by-pitch statistic nevertheless became a recurring part of Clemens’ reputation because of the intimidating style that accompanied his power fastball. He led the American League in hit batters once, in 1995, but his overall career total remained well behind the all-time leader.
For Red Sox fans, though, Clemens’ legacy is defined by much more than any one statistic. He emerged as one of baseball’s dominant young pitchers in Boston, though he remains outside of the Hall of Fame.
Now, decades after his final MLB appearance, Clemens will receive one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.
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