Roberto Clemente is one of those players whose legacy in MLB will last forever.
He always made sure to help his team on the field, and boy, he had a natural talent to play baseball.
However, his biggest contributions came off the field.
The pride of an entire generation of Latino people, Clemente died on December 31, 1972 doing what he loved: helping people.
An earthquake affected Nicaragua about a week earlier, and he flew there with some supplies to help victims.
The plane crashed, and he lost his life.
His legacy will live forever, though.
“Roberto Clemente changed baseball forever, ensuring an eternal legacy on the game,” MLB tweeted, with a touching tribute video.
Roberto Clemente changed baseball forever, ensuring an eternal legacy on the game. pic.twitter.com/An4ZjyQXQU
— MLB (@MLB) September 15, 2022
Today, the league is celebrating Roberto Clemente Day to honor him in the 50th anniversary of his passing.
A Day To Celebrate Clemente
It’s the 21st annual Roberto Clemente Day.
The team with which he played his entire 18-year MLB career, the Pittsburgh Pirates, will play the New York Mets at Citi Field.
The league announced that all players, managers and coaches for both teams will be wearing Clemente’s No. 21 on their uniforms.
That game will be aired by FOX at 7 p.m. ET.
Clemente made the All-Star team 15 times while playing in right field.
He had loud tools and a big heart, not to mention a competitive nature.
He won 12 Gold Glove Awards, the 1966 National League MVP, four batting crowns, and World Series titles with the Pirates in 1960 and ’71.
Clemente was the MVP of the 1971 World Series with a .414 average and five extra-base hits.
He retired with 3,000 hits during his magnificent career.
Revered and beloved by millions, Clemente still lives in the hearts of those who were impacted by his actions.
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