Roberto Clemente Walker was born on August 18, 1934 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Baseball was a huge part of life in Puerto Rico, and Roberto practiced intensely from a young age.
Roberto played amateur baseball during his high school years, trying out for the Santurce Cangrejeros (“Crabmen”). He made the team in 1952 at the age of 17. During his first season with the Cangrejeros, Clemente batted .234. But over the next few seasons, he improved tremendously as a hitter and right fielder.
By the 1954-55 season, Clemente was ready for a bigger stage. He moved on from amateur leagues and signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Triple A minor league team.
Roberto Clemente Early Baseball Stats:
| Year | Team | Batting Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Santurce Cangrejeros | .234 |
| 1953-54 | Santurce Cangrejeros | .288 |
A Major League Beginning with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Roberto Clemente was drafted in the rookie draft of 1954 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made his MLB debut on April 17, 1955, the opening day of the season versus the Brooklyn Dodgers. In his first at-bat he hit a triple off future Hall of Fame pitcher Johnny Podres.
Clemente struggled at the plate his first few seasons like many young players. By 1961, his batting improved with a .351 average. His fielding skills exceeded expectations for a rookie and continued improving with experience.
Roberto Clemente Stats and Accolades:
- 1966 National League MVP
- 1971 World Series MVP
- 3000 career hits
- 12 time Gold Glove winner
- 15 time All Star
- Lifetime batting average of .317
Clemente was popular among the Pittsburgh fans for his dazzling defense, rocket throwing arm, speed, and power hitting.
Prime Years
The 1960s marked Clemente’s prime years as an MLB superstar. His batting statistics improved each season and he became known as one of the most skilled right fielders ever.
In 1966, Clemente led the National League in batting average with a career high .357 average. He hit 29 home runs and 119 RBIs, carrying Pittsburgh’s weak hitting lineup through a competitive pennant race. For his Triple Crown chasing season, he achieved Most Valuable Player honors.
Here are some key stats from Clemente’s MVP 1966 season:
| Category | Stat | National League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .357 | 1st |
| Home Runs | 29 | 4th |
| RBIs | 119 | 2nd |
| Hits | 202 | 1st |
| Total Bases | 317 | 1st |
Clemente narrowly missed out on the rare MVP and World Series title double when the Pirates were defeated by Baltimore in the World Series. After the season, he received a commendation from Puerto Rico’s legislature for his historic season.
The 1971 World Series Victory
Going into the 1971 season, the Pirates had a very strong, well rounded team. They went on to compile a 97-65 record and won the pennant in the National League East.
Roberto Clemente played a key role, batting .341 with pedestrian power numbers but plenty of clutch hits. For the postseason, he turned his game up another notch, getting timely hits as the Pirates defeated the San Francisco Giants to win the National League.
In the World Series versus the Baltimore Orioles, Clemente regained his power hitting form. He smashed a double and triple in Game #1 and scored the first run of the series. Over the final six games, he racked up two more doubles, a two-run homer, and three successful steals against the strong Orioles defense.
The Pirates went on to defeat the Orioles in seven games. Clemente achieved World Series Most Valuable Player honors, redemption for his tough Series loss in 1960. He was one of the most cherished sports figures in Puerto Rico history.
Here are Clemente’s key stats from the 1971 World Series victory:
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .414 |
| Hits | 12 |
| Doubles | 4 |
| Triples | 1 |
| Home Runs | 1 |
| Runs Batted In | 3 |
Charity Work and Death
In the final years of his career, Clemente focused heavily on charity work in Latin American countries. During the offseason he would often host baseball clinics for underprivileged children. As his fame grew, he used it as a platform to do good work all across the globe.
In 1972, a catastrophic earthquake caused immense damage in Nicaragua right before Christmas. Roberto coordinated emergency relief flights full of food and supplies for the victims.
Tragically, on December 31, 1972, the cargo plane carrying Clemente crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after take off. His body was never recovered. Roberto Clemente was just 38 years old, still playing at an elite level.
The baseball world mourned heavily at his shocking death. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn called it a loss for “not only sport but humanity”. Roberto Clemente’s #21 was retired across all of Major League Baseball, a deserving honor for a selfless legend.
Legacy and Posthumous Recognition
Though his life and playing career ended prematurely, Clemente continues to be remembered as an all-time great. His humanitarian efforts set the standard for using professional sports fame as a charitable platform.
Here is some of the posthumous recognition Roberto Clemente has received for his incredible playing career and selfless acts:
- 1973 – Baseball Hall of Fame induction in first year of eligibility with over 92% of the vote.
- 1973 – Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Citizens medal (posthumous)
- 1973 – City of Pittsburgh hosts Roberto Clemente Day for the first time on April 17th, his birthday. Continues annually.
- 1984 – The Roberto Clemente Award given annually to MLB player that best follows Clemente’s humanitarian legacy.
- 2003 – MLB retires Roberto Clemente’s #21 across all teams.
- 2022 – Roberto Clemente makes the Hispanic Heritage stamp series.
Roberto Clemente’s story will continue to inspire future generations as one of the most impactful Latino athletes in history. Baseball fans celebrate his legacy every April 15th on Roberto Clemente day across MLB ballparks. His charitable work and personable nature make him a role model for all.
Conclusion
Roberto Clemente accomplished what few players have done in Major League Baseball history. He collected 3,000 hits while maintaining elite fielding skills matching his offensive prowess. Clemente earned almost every award possible while displaying breathtaking athleticism and hustle daily.
Beyond his superstar talent on the field, Clemente cemented himself as a role model for future generations. He constantly gave back through community outreach and charitable work throughout Latin America. Clemente is cherished both internationally for his humanitarian efforts and in Pittsburgh where he remains their greatest sports icon ever.
Even with his life and career cut short at 38 years old, Clemente’s legacy lives on vibrantly. Baseball fans continue to celebrate his life each April 15th on Roberto Clemente day when every MLB team honors him by wearing #21. The sport is better thanks to trailblazers like Clemente who transcended into once-in-a-generation legendary figures through their play and actions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roberto Clemente
Here are some common FAQs related to the legendary Hall of Fame right fielder:
What number did Roberto Clemente wear?
Roberto Clemente wore #21 for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 through the end of his career. He chose #21 in honor of fellow Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente who also wore that number.
After Clemente’s tragic death, MLB retired #21 across all 30 teams to honor his legacy.
What awards and honors did Clemente win as a player?
Some of Clemente’s top honors included:
- 1966 NL MVP
- 1971 World Series MVP
- 4 Batting Titles (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967)
- 12 consecutive Gold Gloves in Right Field (1961-1972)
- 15 MLB All Star Game appearances
- Pittsburgh Pirates all-time leader in batting average, hits, doubles, and triples
- First Latino player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1973)
Clemente won almost every major award possible during his 18 year MLB playing career with the Pirates.
How many career hits did Clemente record?
Roberto Clemente recorded exactly 3,000 hits during his 18 seasons in Pittsburgh. He reached the historic milestone in the very last at-bat of his career before his tragic plane crash death in December 1972.
At the time of his death, only 10 other players had reached 3,000 hits making it exceptionally rare. Stan Musial was the last to reach it in 1963. Reaching exactly 3,000 made Clemente’s feat even more memorable.
What humanitarian work was Clemente known for?
Outside of baseball, Clemente dedicated himself heavily to charity work especially in poorer regions of Latin America.
Some of his major efforts included:
- Hosting free youth baseball clinics in Puerto Rico
- Fundraising efforts after the 1972 Nicaraguan earthquake
- Goodwill baseball ambassador visiting multiple Latin American countries
Clemente perishably was on a relief flight bringing supplies to earthquake victims when his plane tragically crashed on December 31, 1972. His selfless nature and commitment to helping others made him internationally beloved.
What was Roberto Clemente’s nickname?
Roberto Clemente was often referred to as “The Great One” in reference to his five-tool, all-around great talent on the baseball field.
How did Roberto Clemente die?
Clemente died in a plane crash on December 31, 1972 at the age of 38 while coordinating relief efforts to bring supplies to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua.
How many children did Roberto Clemente have?
Roberto Clemente had three sons with his wife Vera: Roberto Clemente Jr., Luis Roberto, and Roberto Enrique. His sons were between the ages 2 and 5 when Clemente passed away.
When did the MLB retire Roberto Clemente’s number?
On April 15, 1973, MLB commissioner Bowie Kuhn presided over an on-field ceremony officially retiring #21 for all teams across the league. Pittsburgh also renamed their stadium that day to Three Rivers Stadium in reference to Clemente’s #21 jersey.