Roger Clemens is headed for the nation’s highest civilian honor.
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that the former major league right-hander will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Clemens, one of baseball’s most decorated power pitchers, spent 24 seasons in the majors and built a career around an overpowering fastball and a fierce mound presence.
A national honor for a longtime ace
The announcement places Clemens among the athletes and public figures selected for the medal, which recognizes individuals who have made especially significant contributions to the United States, national interests, world peace, culture or other major public endeavors.
Clemens’ baseball résumé includes seven Cy Young Awards, an American League MVP Award and two World Series championships. He pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros during a career that ran from 1984 through 2007.
| Career item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Major league seasons | 24 |
| Cy Young Awards | 7 |
| World Series titles | 2 |
| MLB clubs | 4 |
The honor adds a new chapter to the Clemens story: a pitcher known across generations as “Rocket,” now set to receive a presidential medal far removed from the noise of a packed ballpark and the pressure of a late-inning duel.
