This story weaves together politics, sports history, and the endless debate over baseball’s most controversial Hall of Fame cases.
Former President Donald Trump has publicly called for legendary pitcher Roger Clemens — a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champ — to get into the National Baseball Hall of Fame right away.
Trump’s comments came after a round of golf with Clemens and his son. The remarks bring the conversation back around to whether allegations of performance-enhancing drug use, never actually proven in Clemens’ case, should keep one of MLB’s most dominant pitchers out of Cooperstown.
Trump’s Public Push for Clemens’ Hall of Fame Induction
Donald Trump went on Truth Social to highlight Clemens’ Hall of Fame credentials. He pointed to Clemens’ on-field greatness and numbers that stack up with the best pitchers ever.
Trump argued that leaving Clemens out is unfair, especially since Clemens never failed a drug test and a court acquitted him on those allegations.
Comparisons to Pete Rose’s Case
Trump compared Clemens’ situation to Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader who was banned for gambling but reinstated posthumously in 2024.
Trump thinks Clemens deserves to be recognized while he’s still here to see it. This comparison kind of sums up baseball’s struggle to balance off-field scandals with on-field greatness.
The Rocket’s Career at a Glance
Roger Clemens, known as “The Rocket”, was one of the most intimidating pitchers ever.
His 24-year career was packed with achievements:
- 354 career wins, putting him among MLB’s all-time leaders
- Seven Cy Young Awards — more than anyone else
- Two World Series championships with the Yankees
- 4,672 strikeouts, third most in MLB history
- Played for the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, and Astros
Controversy and Allegations
Clemens’ Hall of Fame case isn’t just about stats. His former trainer Brian McNamee claimed to have injected him with steroids and HGH — accusations Clemens denied under oath before Congress in 2008.
After a long, public trial, a jury found Clemens not guilty of perjury and obstruction charges.
The Hall of Fame Voting Hurdle
Even with all he accomplished, Clemens only got 65.2% of the vote in his last year of Baseball Writers’ Association eligibility in 2022. He needed 75% to get in.
Writers saw the steroid-era cloud as a big reason for his exclusion, even though he’s always insisted — and a court agreed — that he never used banned substances.
Clemens’ Personal Response
After Trump’s support, Clemens posted on social media to say thanks. He also called out “fake news” and said his drive always came from wanting to win and take care of his family.
His comments show just how much the Hall of Fame snub has weighed on him.
Why This Matters for Baseball’s Future
The Clemens debate, like the Pete Rose saga, shows baseball’s ongoing identity crisis — does the sport protect its image, or does it honor incredible careers?
Letting Clemens in wouldn’t just mean a lot to him; it might also change how MLB and the Hall of Fame handle the steroid era as time goes on.
The Growing Call for Re-evaluation
Trump and others have started to speak out in support of Clemens. Their voices are putting more pressure on Hall of Fame committees, especially the Today’s Game Era Committee, to reconsider players who might’ve been overlooked.
Fans, former players, and public figures are all asking for a more fair look at how baseball judges suspected performance-enhancing drug use. Many point out that there’s never been conclusive proof against Clemens.
Will Clemens ever stand among baseball’s legends in Cooperstown? Nobody really knows, and honestly, the debate about his legacy isn’t dying down anytime soon.
—
If you’d like, I can also provide an **SEO keyword list** to match this blog post so you can rank higher for baseball, Hall of Fame, and Roger Clemens searches. Would you like me to prepare that?
Here is the source article for this story: President Trump calls Roger Clemens’ omission from Baseball Hall of Fame “stupidity”
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s