UPDATE: Former President Donald Trump has called for the immediate induction of pitcher Roger Clemens into the Baseball Hall of Fame ahead of the highly anticipated announcement of the 2026 Contemporary Era Class this Sunday. Trump’s plea, made via a lengthy post on his Truth Social account, emphasizes Clemens’ exceptional career, branding him “one of the Greatest Pitchers of All Time.”
In his post, Trump highlighted Clemens’ impressive statistics, including 354 career wins, placing him ninth all-time in Major League Baseball history, and seven Cy Young awards, the accolade awarded to the best pitchers in the American and National leagues. With a staggering 4,672 strikeouts, Clemens ranks third all-time, trailing only Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.
The urgency of Trump’s message comes as the Hall of Fame’s committee prepares to meet in Orlando, Florida, during the winter meetings. Trump argued that the only reason Clemens has been overlooked is due to “rumors and innuendo,” asserting that he “never tested positive” for performance-enhancing drugs, a claim Clemens has consistently denied. Notably, in June 2012, a federal jury found him not guilty of charges related to his testimony before Congress.
“The only reason he is not is because of rumors and innuendo, which were not proven,” Trump stated. “He was FULLY ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES.”
Clemens, 63, faced scrutiny over his alleged use of steroids during his illustrious 24-year career. Despite being denied entry for ten consecutive years by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, he now has another chance through the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot, which includes candidates whose primary contributions occurred after 1980.
The Contemporary Era committee, consisting of 16 members including Hall of Famers like Ozzie Smith and Ferguson Jenkins, will vote on Clemens and seven other candidates. Each voter can select up to three candidates, with a requirement of 75% approval for induction. If elected, Clemens would be inducted alongside other successful candidates on July 26, 2026.
The Hall of Fame has made significant changes to its voting process, including a rule that candidates receiving fewer than five votes will be ineligible for future ballots, intensifying the pressure on Clemens as he vies for this coveted honor.
As the announcement approaches, all eyes will be on the committee’s decision and whether Clemens finally receives the recognition many believe he deserves. The implications of Trump’s endorsement and the unfolding events could drastically alter the narrative surrounding Clemens’ legacy in baseball.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and the Baseball Hall of Fame reveals its next class of inductees.
