Roger Clemens Believes He Deserves Top 10 Spot Among Boston Sports Legends

The Red Sox Hall of Famer claims he should be ranked among the city's all-time greats.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:34am

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Legendary Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens believes he deserves to be ranked among the top 10 greatest Boston athletes of all time. Clemens, who threw out the first pitch at the Worcester Red Sox home opener, said he was surprised to be left off a recent list of Boston's sports icons and that he is '100 percent' certain he should be included. The 24-year MLB veteran, who won 354 games and had 4,672 career strikeouts, hinted that an upcoming event in Ohio this summer will showcase his impressive career accomplishments.

Why it matters

Clemens' comments reignite the debate over his Hall of Fame credentials and legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in Red Sox and MLB history. As a dominant power pitcher who won seven Cy Young Awards, Clemens believes his accomplishments warrant inclusion among Boston's most revered athletes, despite controversies over alleged performance-enhancing drug use that have kept him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame so far.

The details

Before the Worcester Red Sox home opener, the 63-year-old Clemens threw out the ceremonial first pitch, drawing cheers from the crowd. Clemens said he was proud that he 'didn't walk a guy' on the mound. The legendary pitcher, who turns 64 in August, is ninth on the all-time wins list with 354 victories over his 24-year MLB career. Clemens threw two iconic 20-strikeout games, one with the Red Sox in 1986 and another with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1996.

  • Clemens threw out the first pitch at the Worcester Red Sox home opener on Friday, March 27, 2026.
  • Next month marks 40 years since Clemens' iconic 20-strikeout game at Fenway Park in 1986 against the Seattle Mariners.
  • Clemens hinted at an upcoming event in Ohio this summer that will showcase his career accomplishments.

The players

Roger Clemens

A legendary pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Boston Red Sox. Clemens is ninth all-time with 354 wins and 4,672 career strikeouts, and is a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, but has not been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame due to allegations of performance-enhancing drug use.

Worcester Red Sox

The Triple-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, based in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Syracuse Mets

The Triple-A minor league affiliate of the New York Mets, based in Syracuse, New York.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't walk a guy. I'm most proud of that.”

— Roger Clemens, Legendary Red Sox Pitcher

“100 percent. I mean that's not even a question.”

— Roger Clemens, Legendary Red Sox Pitcher

“When you are mentioned with guys like Cy Young or Babe Ruth or Willie Mays, guys like that. You're in pretty good company. That's good enough for me.”

— Roger Clemens, Legendary Red Sox Pitcher

What’s next

Clemens hinted that an upcoming event in Ohio this summer will showcase his impressive career accomplishments and make the case for his inclusion among Boston's all-time sports greats.

The takeaway

Roger Clemens' comments reignite the debate over his Hall of Fame credentials and legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in Red Sox and MLB history. Despite controversies over alleged performance-enhancing drug use, Clemens believes his dominant on-field accomplishments, including 354 wins and 4,672 strikeouts, warrant his inclusion among Boston's most revered athletes.