President Trump beat the drum for Roger Clemens to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, making the case on the eve of voting for new members this weekend.
“Roger is clearly one of the Greatest Pitchers of All Time, with amazing achievements that include winning 354 Games, seven Cy Young Awards (A Record, by a lot!), and playing in six World Series, winning two,” he wrote on Truth Social Saturday. “‘The Rocket’ is second only to another All Time GREAT, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, in most strike-outs. Roger Clemens is the only pitcher who has won 300 games to not have the honor of being enshrined in the Hall of Fame, which is a total travesty!”
Mr. Clemens, now 63, pitched for four Major League Baseball clubs — the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros — while landing on All-Star teams 11 times.
The right-hander’s public image was tarnished by allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his career. He was charged with lying about his steroid use to Congress in 2008 but was acquitted by a jury in 2012.
“The only reason he is not is because of rumors and innuendo, which were not proven. He never tested positive and, when the Obama DOJ went after him in a criminal case claiming that he did take steroids, Roger, who has always denied taking any drugs, was FULLY ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES,” Mr. Trump wrote. “‘The Rocket,’ a nickname he earned very early in his career because of his blazing fastball, was just as dominant before those erroneous allegations were leveled against him.”
The president added, “I sincerely hope that the Committee uses its great judgment (Roger’s opponents never proved a thing against him, and he may have the best pitching record, all told, in the History of Baseball!), and the Baseball Commissioner has the Strength, Wisdom, and Power to do the right thing, and put Roger Clemens in The Baseball Hall of Fame, IMMEDIATELY!”
Mr. Trump has been on Mr. Clemens’ side for a while. He called for his admittance to the Hall of Fame and museum in Cooperstown, New York, in August after he played golf with him and his son.
