Roberto Clemente

[JoshRedcay]

Roberto Clemente...a name that will forever be cemented in the legacy of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the MLB. Whether it be the loyalism and class he showed with the Pirates sticking with them for all 18 years of his MLB career, or the excitement he brought to each and every game, all baseball fans and especially those of the Pirates, will never forget Roberto Clemente for as long as the Earth is still spinning.

Fresh out of Puerto Rico, Clemente spent most of his MLB career with a batting average of over .300. He was never much of a power hitter, but his average and amazing fielding abilities made him such a marvel to watch, which I never had the privilege of doing.http://www.cocktailmatch.com/users/156/blog/Roberto%20Clemente.jpg

We all know what he did on the field, being a 15 time all-star selection. Not to mention getting two World Series rings, 12 gold glove awards, winning the 1966 NL MVP award, the 1971 World Series MVP award, and the 1971 Babe Ruth award. He is well deserving of getting his #21 retired.

On December 23rd, 1972 an earthquake shook Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua. Clemente was visiting three weeks earlier, and being the caring and helpful person he was, immediately arranged emergency relief flights. Clemente found out that on the first three flights the aid packages were diverted by corrupt officials of the Somoza government. So, on New Years Eve of 1972 Clemente went on the flight to ensure the packages would be delivered. We all know what comes next.

The character and loyalty that Clemente showed was very honorable. I think he is the perfect example of a great sports role model and a guy that we can all be inspired by.

[Buccos13]

Roberto Clemente was a man who knew how lucky he was to be able to play in Major League Baseball. A lot of the players today (in all sports) take their talents for granted and don't realize that there is always somebody out on the street who dreams of playing a single inning or a single down or quarter. I personally think that his number should be retired league wide, just like Jackie Robinson. Roberto Clemente is a true Hall of Famer -- the only current Hall of Famer for whom the mandatory five year waiting period has been waived -- and deserves league-wide respect.

Major League Baseball isn't the only thing that was hurt on December 31, 1972. The Earth lost a great person that day, and one who will always stay in the hearts of baseball and non-baseball fans alike.

[BobH]

....and thus, Josh, MLB now has the Roberto Clemente Humanitarian Awards given every year to each MLB team's player deemed to be the the team hunanitarian in his team's local community. Many of the honorees over the years who may have multiple other baseball awards claim it as the one of which they are the proudest.

Josh, I'm older and was fortunate enough to see him play on television many times. He was as good and as great as they say he was. I'll never forget a time in old Forbes Field when he went back on a long fly ball that he caught 10-15 feet from the wall...almost on the warning track. There was a baserunner on 2nd base who tagged and took off for 3rd base. With that cannon-like arm Roberto had he gunned the guy down sliding into 3rd completing the double play....undoubtedly the best outfield assist I ever saw...and, at 68, I've seen a lot of 'em. The man could do it all....and you and Buccos have every right to be proud of his Pirate legacy-BH

[RickD]

You all should read the most recent book on Clemente. He did do a lot but he also was quite prickly. However, his compassion and care for those in need was quite huge and he is justly honored for that.

[soberdennis]

The greatest all around player, IMO, that I ever saw. He was truly a 5 tool player.

[Old Sweater]

Great player. I still remember the shocking experience I had when I found out about his death at the start of the 73 season.

[LetsPlay2]

It's pretty amazing that, even today, when they ask a ballplayer from a Spanish-speaking country (just about any of them) who their biggest baseball influences were growing up almost all of them still say Roberto Clemente.

---------- Post added at 09:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 AM ----------

Roberto....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9cEoMwtjuM

[Mudge]

I too admire Clemente for many reasons, a lot of them enumerated in the previous posts, but at the same time, I am not sure I support retiring his number across all of baseball.

Mind you, I could be convinced.

[RickD]

I'm not for retiring ANYONES number across the board for every team!

[Buccos13]

Just a tidbit of information: the right field wall at PNC Park (Pittsburgh) is 21 feet tall in honor of #21 Roberto Clemente.

[Mudge]

Just a tidbit of information: the right field wall at PNC Park (Pittsburgh) is 21 feet tall in honor of #21 Roberto Clemente.
That's a nice gesture, and one that every Pirate fan who is a parent or grandparent should tell his or her child or grandchild.

[BobH]

It's pretty amazing that, even today, when they ask a ballplayer from a Spanish-speaking country (just about any of them) who their biggest baseball influences were growing up almost all of them still say Roberto .....

LP, while working for the Dept. of Defense, lo-those many years, I made several trips to Puerto Rico and he is still as big down there as ever. One of the main drags in the capital of San Juan is named Roberto Clemente Blvd. and the baseball stadium is named after him. There are still pictures of him in about every venue you can name. I haven't been there in ten years but can well imagine it's still the same. He's more than loved in P.R....He's revered.-BH

[Old Sweater]

Just a tidbit of information: the right field wall at PNC Park (Pittsburgh) is 21 feet tall in honor of #21 Roberto Clemente.

Man, that is great. Now if I could just remember this.

[soberdennis]

I'm not for retiring ANYONES number across the board for every team!
I think the only reason that it would be considered is that they have already done it for Robinson. Arguments can be made ad infinitum on whether it should have been done in his case. But it has been done. With Clemente, the argument can be made-"If you can do it for Jackie, why not Roberto, too."
I am not saying I agree with that argument. I just understand where they are coming from.