Trump says he'll award former Blue Jays pitcher Roger Clemens Medal of Freedom

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night he would award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to retired MLB pitcher Roger Clemens, calling the seven-time Cy Young winner "maybe the greatest pitcher of all time."

Addressing a rally in San Antonio, Trump renewed his calls for the hurler to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. That's an honour the pitcher known as "The Rocket" has yet to receive because of suspicions he used steroids during a 24-year career that featured time with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Houston Astros.

"We're giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump said. "And, along with the Congressional Medal of Honor, it's the highest award bestowed upon anyone."

The president continued: "He'll be in the Hall of Fame someday, but he deserves it. One of the greatest athletes, and maybe the greatest pitcher, of all time."

He added the medal "is a big step up from the Hall of Fame."

Trump has given the medal to various athletes during his two terms in the White House, including golfing legend Tiger Woods, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, famed Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and Lou Holtz, former coach of Notre Dame football.

He's bestowed the same honour on Elvis Presley posthumously and Rush Limbaugh the year before the conservative radio host died.

Wednesday's surprise revelation came near the end of a Trump speech that lasted more than 100 minutes, and with the crowd having lost some of its enthusiasm. Clemens was attending the event, and the president called him to the stage, where the retired right-hander offered, "Well, I'm stunned."

Clemens denied Hall of Fame entry in 2022, his final year of consideration

Clemens added to Red