The announcement came at a rally in Clemens' home state of Texas, where the pitcher had just introduced the president.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday night he will award Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor. The announcement came at a Republican campaign rally in San Antonio, where Clemens had introduced Trump before returning to the stage in a blue USA baseball cap.
Trump called Clemens "one of the greatest athletes and maybe the greatest pitcher of all time." He also brought up the seven-time Cy Young Award winner's long absence from the Baseball Hall of Fame, which has kept him out over allegations he used steroids during his playing career.
"He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, but this is a big step up from the Hall of Fame," Trump said, adding that the Medal of Freedom ranks alongside the Congressional Medal of Honor as the highest award given to any American.
No date was given for when the medal would actually be presented.