Remembering one of our greats…
Puerto Rican baseball great Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash on January 1, 1972, while en-route to a humanitarian mission
Public domain photo by unknown author.
Years after his death in 1972, Roberto Clemente is still proudly remembered by Puerto Ricans as one of the greatest people in Puerto Rican history. This shining star of Major League Baseball is an icon to the people of Puerto Rico not only for his contributions on the field but for all that he accomplished off the field as well.
I was not even born until 5 years after his death, but throughout my life I have heard Clemente’s name spoken with pride by my parents, friends, and many others. I still have the Clemente baseball card my father got me when I was younger and remember cheering for the Pittsburgh Pirates despite never having visited the city myself. One place that I could get a physical connection to this man was the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. This venue located in San Juan was the premier spot for concerts, sports, and shows on the whole island. I would visit this man after every visit to the coliseum, well at least I visited his likeness. Walking past the front of the coliseum, Roberto Clemente’s statue would welcome me to some of the most memorable events in my childhood.
In the United States Roberto Clemente is remembered for playing 18 seasons with the Pirates from 1955-1972. Clemente was the 15 time All-Star 12-time Gold Glove, 4-time National League Batting Champion, National League Most Valuable Player for 1966, and for being part of the World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961 and 1971 where he was again voted Most Valuable Player. Despite all his accomplishments, Clemente also helped the civil rights movement. He challenged the perceptions of people in the United States toward Latino and Black players of the time during a time of racial tensions.
In Pittsburgh, the bridge that bears his name is a testament to the love the people in this city would grow to have for him. He also received many awards in this city for his behavior off the field. These included the Sportsman of the Year in 1961, 1966, and 1971. Clemente’s love was not limited to baseball, the people of Puerto Rico, or the fans in the United States and he would end up giving his life for his humanitarian ideals.
Clemente had a deep love for humanity and was known for his acts of charity and compassion. His death was a noble one. After an earthquake hit Nicaragua in 1972 killing about 11,000 people and leaving another 300,000 homeless, Roberto Clemente could not standby idly. On December 31, 1972, he boarded an airplane to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Nicaragua. Sadly the plane would not reach its destination, crashing shortly after taking off from the Luis Munoz Marin Airport in Isla Verde, San Juan.
In 1973 Major League Baseball inducted Roberto Clemente into the National Baseball Hall of Fame becoming the first Latin American to be so honored. Yes, it was long ago, but to Puerto Ricans and all of his fans, number 21 is number 1 in our hearts.
This 1993 video honors the life and accomplishments of Roberto Clemente.