Make New York Post a Preferred Source Roger Clemens has a new award to add to his collection.
The two-time Yankees World Series champ was informed on Wednesday that he would be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, when introducing President Donald Trump at a rally in San Antonio, Texas.
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“We’re giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Trump said.
Clemens, an 11-time All-Star and seven-time Cy Young Award winner, was caught off guard by the revelation.
“Well, I’m stunned, number one,” he told the crowd. “And again, 24 years, y’all. 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.”
Roger Clemens introduces President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio. AP Photo/Eric Gay The Texas native played 24 MLB seasons, the first 13 with the Red Sox before spending two with the Blue Jays. He then came to The Bronx for five seasons, went to Houston for two and returned to the Yankees for one last go around in 2007 at the age of 44.
“The Rocket” racked up a bevy of awards along the way, including the 1986 American League MVP as well as twice winning the pitching Triple Crown (1997, ’98).
Roger Clemens throws a pitch against the Braves during the 1999 World Series. New York Post Trump called Clemens, who ranks ninth all-time with 354 career wins, “maybe the greatest pitcher of all time.”
His statistical achievements weren’t enough to get him into the Baseball Hall of Fame, as his candidacy was tainted by alleged steroid use — he was mentioned 82 times in the Mitchell Report in 2007, though he never tested positive for the banned drug.
Still, Clemens, who never achieved more than 61.6 percent of the vote needed for the 75 percent threshold needed for entry into Cooperstown, remains eligible through the Today’s Game Committee.
If he does make it, he’ll join a unique club of fellow Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients that includes the likes of Babe Ruth, Vin Scully, Yogi Berra, Ernie Banks, Stan Musial, Frank Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Mariano Rivera and Joe DiMaggio.
Trump has given the award to numerous athletes during his presidential terms, including Ruth and Rivera, as well as Tiger Woods, Roger Staubach, Jerry West and Connor Hellebuyck, after the goalie’s gold medal-winning Olympic effort in February.
