Author Archive: binsorh

Number 21… A Number Never Forgotten by Puerto Ricans

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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

Roberto Clemente poses for a photo in his Pittsburg Pirates uniform on January 1, 1965.
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.

They will want more… Delight with your Coquito this Christmas

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Making Coquito

Many cultures have their holiday drinks. Puerto Rico has one of the greatest of them all… Coquito. It is a simple concoction of coconut creme, milk, and rum. The great thing about Coquito is that it’s not that hard to make. There are many versions, but I’m going to show you how I make mine.

-Ricardo

Get the party started with My Coquito Recipe

  • Use one can of Coconut Creame and two cans of Coconut Milk
  • Pour cans into blender and mix thoroughly for 1-2 minutes
  • After blending add mixture to sauce pan
  • Bring mix to a simmer under medium heat
  • Add some spices. I used Anise, Cloves, and Cardamon Seeds
  • Measure 1 cup of White Puerto Rican Rum
  • I like to add 3/4 cup of Special Edition Crown Royal Salted Caramel Whisky
  • Add coconut, milk, rum, and whisky to blender and mix for 1-2 minutes
  • Add a cinnamon stick to empty bottle
  • Pour coquito into bottle
  • Chill Coquito in refrigerator until it’s time to serve. For best results let it rest for 24-48 hours. Serve with ground cinnamon.
Photos by Ricardo Hernandez

No One Expected It… Fans Mourn Salsero Tito Rojas’ Tragic Death After Online Christmas Concert

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Tito Rojas: June 14, 1955 – December 26, 2020

It is with much sadness and shock that I found out that Tito Rojas “El Gallo Salsero” passed away today December 26, 2020. The shock was more pronounced because just 24 hours prior, we had seen him perform in the “Canta Gallo, Canta en Navidad” Christmas special released on YouTube for all to enjoy.

Even though I have never met him personally, Tito had an influence on my life as if I had. You see, Tito was part of my father’s circle of friends when he was growing up in the town of Humacao, Puerto Rico. On many occasions, he would fondly remember all his “loqueras” (crazy stuff he did). My father grew up with many musician friends in his town and always remembered how music affected Tito both good and bad.

Left to Right is Chiqui Sanabria, Tito’s sister Idalia Rojas Lopez, and kneeling center is Tito Rojas.
Personal photo provided by Chiqui Sanabria

“He was trying to date your mother’s younger sister,” my father would say. When I heard this story Tito was already was famous and I just chalked it up to another one of my father’s eccentric exaggerations. As it turned out, I confirmed from my aunt this story was actually true. She recalls rejecting his advances because she did not want to have anything to do with his party lifestyle. She shut him down cold and despite his attempts, she wouldn’t give him the time of day when he would try to talk to her.

Don’t think from this story that they thought less of Tito. Even though my family wasn’t really into the party scene that came with his fame, they remember him fondly for his joviality and for being a genuinely good person. I will not only remember him for these family anecdotes but for contributing to my life’s soundtrack. As a child, teen, or adult, during my time living in Puerto Rico, the United States, Europe, or Korea, Tito Rojas was and will continue to be a great influence on what it means to be from Humacao and what it is to be Boricua.

May you Rest in Power Tito. Dale pa’ arriba y vete pa’ tu casa en el cielo.

This is Tito Rojas’ last performance released on his YouTube channel for all his fans on Christmas Eve.  Let’s all enjoy it while it is still posted on YouTube and pay homage to his life by remembering his music.