Baseball Hall of Fame-caliber pitcher Roger Clemens introduced President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, urging Texas Republicans to vote ahead of the November 3 elections.
Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion who pitched for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, told the crowd it was an honor to speak before Trump took the stage.
“But what a privilege it is for me to be here to intro our great president… a man that loves our country, that puts all of us first and puts America first,” Clemens said.
He credited Trump with strengthening the country and improving border security.
“This is what I love. He’s made us better. He’s made us stronger. And more importantly, because of the border and everything here, he’s made us safer,” Clemens said.
Clemens, who lives in Houston, also said Trump “put his life on the line for us” and told the crowd not to forget it. He closed his remarks with a direct appeal to voters.
“The theme of the evening is get out and vote! Get out and vote, y’all. You can do it,” Clemens said.
Trump Announces Medal of Freedom
During his own remarks at the rally, Trump surprised Clemens by announcing he would award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“We’re giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and along with the Congressional Medal of Honor, it’s the highest award bestowed upon anyone,” Trump said.
Trump called Clemens “one of the greatest athletes and maybe the greatest pitcher of all time” and said he should be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Clemens has not been inducted, having been left off Hall of Fame ballots amid allegations of performance-enhancing drug use during his career.
Clemens responded to the announcement with apparent surprise.
“Well, I’m stunned, number one. And again, 24 years, y’all — this supersedes anything that obviously I’ve done in my playing career,” Clemens said. “And to get it from this man, this president, there wouldn’t be another president I’d want to get it from.”
