Roberto Clemente wasn't only one of the best baseball players ever, but he also sacrificed his life helping others. And he was a Marine as well.
Roberto Clemente was a great player and a great man who is truly worthy of admiration.
I was at a Cubs pirates game at Wrigley in the early 70’s.
Clemente hit a line drive home run, he never moved and just watched it rocket out of the park.
That ball was still rising as it went past the center field score board. He absolutely crushed it. Must have hit it close to 600 feet.
I had knee surgery in ‘71 and was confined to watching the World Series from bed that year. What a treat! Clemente, Stargell, Brooks Robinson and talented pitchers on both sides. Best Series I ever watched and of course Roberto was the cream of the crop.
Roberto Clemente is my all-time favorite sports hero. Followed distantly by Pat Sullivan.
After his Dodgers time, Branch Rickey was brought in to rebuild a dilapidated Pirates team. The Dodgers had drafted some unknown guy named Clemente as a “bonus baby” and tried to hide him in the minors. Rickey and his scouts found him anyway and drafted him to be part of the core that once again made the Pirates contenders. Sort of Rickey’s revenge for the way the Dodgers treated him.
Hell of a ballplayer. Tragic end.
The Pirates have retired #21. I don’t think it should be MLB-wide.
I also opposed retiring #42 MLB-wide and #99 NHL-wide.
If #66 is retired NHL-wide it shouldn’t be.
On July 25, 1956, Roberto Clemente hit an inside the ball park, grand slam, walk off homerun. Lets see someone top that!
More than for even is baseball exploits, here in Pittsburgh Clemente is remembered for the way he died. Committing a totally selfless act. He did not have to be on that plane.
My brother in law,who grew up in Pittsburgh told me he saw Clemente throw a runner out at home plate from the outfield in Forbes Field.