Highlights of Roberto Clemente's life and baseball career: August 18, 1934: Roberto Clemente y Walker is born in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Roberto Clemente Jr.-- or in the Spanish naming system Roberto Clemente Zabala (born August 17, 1965)-- is a baseball broadcaster and former professional baseball player from San Juan, Puerto Rico.He was born in the Santurce barrio. Roberto Clemente's widow Vera, 78, passes away 47 years after her baseball legend husband's fatal plane crash off the coast of Puerto Rico. "Vera was an amazing ambassador for the Pirates organization, our city, the game of baseball and their beloved Puerto Rico. The website, a collaboration among SITES, Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, and CARIMAR, captures the original's uniquely Puerto Rican perspective for an American audience. pic.twitter.com/ol23iJPP70. When Nicaragua was hit with a massive earthquake in December 1972, Clemente decided to take relief supplies to the stricken nation himself after learning the Nicaraguan army was stealing supplies meant for the people. Carmen Clemente is the director of the program for the handicapped at the Roberto Clemente Sports City. pic.twitter.com/HrkPXqOroa. Roberto Clemente is remembered today as one of the game's best all-around right fielders, with one of the best arms in baseball. It took a few years for him to learn the ropes in the major leagues, but by 1960 Clemente was a dominant player in professional baseball, helping lead the Pirates to win both the National League pennant and the World Series. The rickety plane went down off the coast of San Juan shortly after takeoff, and Roberto's body was never found. For his "outstanding athletic, civic, charitable, and humanitarian contributions," Roberto Clemente was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Congress in 1973. But times were not always easy for Roberto. September 18 is known as “Roberto Clemente Day” and was first announced by the Major League Baseball Commissioner, Bud Selig, in 2002. His father Roberto Clemente was the first Latin American player to compile 3,000 hits in Major League Baseball history. Shortly after Clemente joined the Pirates, he chose No. Clemente was not their star player; in fact he did not play in a single game and was soon returned to the minor leagues. Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente is an online exhibition based on one originally on view at San Juan's Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and crafted in close concert with the Clemente family. "Vera epitomized grace, dignity and strength in the wake of heartbreaking tragedy and loss. Clemente never forgot where he came from and was always willing to help those less fortunate than himself. Roberto Clemente was the youngest of seven children and grew up in a poor household in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Roberto Clemente was the youngest of the seven children of Melchor and Luisa Clemente. Roberto Clementes had an impressive lifetime batting average of .317, and is one of only a few players to have collected 3,000 hits. It wasn't long before Clemente caught the attention of the major league scouts and, in 1954, he signed up with the Los Angeles Dodgers who sent him to their minor league team in Montreal. Roberto Clemente was the youngest of seven children and grew up in a poor household in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Tragically, Roberto Clemente's life ended on December 31, 1972 in a plane crash while en route to Nicaragua with relief supplies for earthquake victims. Pittsburgh awoke to a big snow storm on New Year’s Day in 1973. Roberto’s major league career began with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954. Often referred to as "The Great One," Clemente was the first Latin American player elected to the baseball Hall of Fame. ", Rob Manfred released a statement on the passing of Vera Clemente, wife of legendary Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente via MLBPR: pic.twitter.com/oFR0soXEnz. Roberto Clemente lost his life while trying to help others. The governor of Puerto Rico, Wanda Vazquez, also tweeted her condolences for the family. Translated, her tweet reads: "I join the pain of the family of Mrs. Vera Cristina Zabala, widow of our star, Roberto Clemente. Many around the world of baseball, including the Major League Baseball's official Spanish Twitter account, have reported Vera Clemente passed away Saturday. Today a bridge is named for him, “The Roberto Clemente Bridge.” It becomes a pedestrian-only bridge for Pirate home games and leads directly into PNC Park. The news that greeted Pittsburghers as they turned on their radios and televisions was unbelievable. His father was a foreman on a sugarcane plantation, and his mother ran a grocery store for plantation workers. Albrecht is a lifelong Pittsburgh resident who has been writing about his hometown since 2000. This comes just weeks after she was hospitalized in reportedly delicate health. They had three sons: Roberto Jr., Luis Roberto, and Roberto Enrique, each born in Puerto Rico to honor their father's heritage. “Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on this Earth.” ~Roberto Clemente. Given a chance, Roberto Clemente soon proved himself a star baseball player with a strong throwing arm and a unique batting style. It was in Puerto Rico that Roberto learned to love everything about baseball. Following Roberto's passing, Vera raised their three sons into outstanding men, while also working tirelessly to ensure her and her husband's shared vision of compassion, service and love of others lived on forever. The Pirates retired his number at the start of the 1973 season, and the right-field wall at the Pirates' PNC Park is 21 feet high in honor of Clemente. By using Tripsavvy, you accept our. His personal records included four National League batting championships, twelve Gold Glove awards, the National League MVP in 1966, and the World Series MVP in 1971, where he batted .414. Tragically, their star Pirate baseball player had been taken from them in the prime of his life. Even those who were not alive during Clemente’s time as a Pirate know his great story. Pittsburgh was fortunate to have Clemente on their roster for 18 seasons. Vera Cristina Zabala de Clemente, viuda de Roberto Clemente, ha fallecido en el día de hoy. His family was poor, and Clemente worked hard as a youngster, delivering milk and taking other odd jobs to earn extra money for the family. Former MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn summed up Roberto Clemente perfectly by saying, “He gave the term ‘complete’ a new meaning. Visit our Advertising Page. Vera trabajó por velar que el legado de Clemente perdurara, orgullo de todos los puertorriqueños. Roberto Clemente is another reason why Pittsburghers are so proud of their great city. You see, Roberto Clemente was easily the most popular sports figure in Pittsburgh at that time. He had about him the touch of royalty.” Roberto Clemente continues to inspire people to this day. See our Advertising Opportunities. His family was poor, and Clemente worked hard as a youngster, delivering milk and taking other odd jobs to earn extra money for the family. Vera Clemente is survived by three sons: Roberto Clemente Jr., Luis Clemente and Roberto Enrique. He was a powerhouse from the outfield too, throwing out players from over 400 feet. Que descanse en paz. Clemente was not only a great ball player and a humanitarian, but he was an inspiration for a whole nation. In 1952, Roberto Clemente was spotted by a scout from the professional hardball team in the Puerto Rican town of Santurce and offered a contract. We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Vera Clemente, the widow of the great Roberto Clemente and a cherished member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Major League Baseball family. Clemente went on to spend his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates while wearing the number 21 on his uniform. Roberto Clemente was one of the greatest baseball players to play right field and one of the best to ever play the game. 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In 1955, Roberto Clemente was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and started as their right fielder. That morning is one that Pittsburghers of the 70’s will never forget, remembering how hard it was to shovel the new-fallen snow through so many tears. It was in Puerto Rico that Roberto learned to love everything about baseball. The boys were just six, five and two, respectively, when Roberto Clemente met his untimely death in 1972. Roberto Walker Clemente was born in Barrio San Anton in Carolina, Puerto Rico on August 18, 1934. On November 14, 1964, Roberto Clemente married Vera Cristina Zabala in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

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