Did Roberto Clemente attend college?
Roberto did not attend college, but he did have a short stint in the Marines. He then progressed to play with the Santurce Crabbers in the Puerto Rican Winter League. From Santurce, in February 1954, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers to go to one of their farm clubs.
Did Roberto Clemente graduate high school?
Just after graduating from high school in 1954, Clemente was signed with the Dodgers' and sent to play with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' minor-league affiliate in Montreal, Canada. He received a $5,000 salary and a $10,000 bonus.
Did Roberto Clemente play baseball in high school?
Roberto's all-around talent for sports was visible early on. He excelled in the high jump and javelin throw at Vizcarrondo High School, and there was talk that he might be good enough for the Olympics. But baseball was his true passion, and he could often be seen with a rubber ball in hand, flexing to improve his grip.
What is Roberto Clemente famous for?
Roberto Clemente was the first Latin American superstar in Major League Baseball. He was a legend in life and death, a baseball star, and a symbol of Latin American pride. The first Puerto Rican to achieve baseball stardom, Clemente worked hard at the game.
Who wore 21 in baseball?
Roberto ClementeShare All sharing options for: Outside The Confines: Everyone wore 21. Every year baseball celebrates the legacy of Roberto Clemente, both in giving out an award in his honor, celebrating the charitable and humanitarian efforts of players on all 30 teams, but also his incredible gifts as a player.
Who was number 21 in baseball?
21 to celebrate Roberto Clemente Day. All uniformed personnel of Puerto Rican descent across the league were granted permission to wear Clemente's No. 21 on the 20th annual Roberto Clemente Day.
Who was the first Hispanic person elected into the baseball Hall of Fame?
ClementeIn 1973, Clemente, who was born and grew up in Puerto Rico, became the first Latino player inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame, 11 years after Robinson became the first African American inducted. The Hall of Fame waived the normal five-year wait for Clemente; the only other player it did that for was Lou Gehrig.
Who was the first Puerto Rican baseball player?
Hiram BithornPrior to 1942, however, no native Puerto Rican had played at the major league level in the United States. Hiram Bithorn made history as the first player from Puerto Rico to play Major League Baseball. As pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Bithorn debuted April 15, 1942.
When did Roberto Clemente get his 3000 hit?
Sept. 30, 1972At the time, there was no way of knowing that Sept. 30, 1972 -- 50 years ago today -- would mark the final time Roberto Clemente stepped to the plate in a regular-season game. Nor was there any way of knowing that Clemente's fourth-inning double off the Mets' Jon Matlack would be the last hit he'd collect.
What day is Roberto Clemente Day?
September 15Roberto Clemente Day has always been held in September. But last season, MLB set September 15 as the official annual date of Roberto Clemente Day to coincide with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.
What are 5 interesting facts about Roberto Clemente?
Clemente was the first Hispanic player to accomplish many feats in the majors. He was the first to win a World Series as a starter, be named league MVP, be named World Series MVP and be elected to the Hall of Fame. 13. He finished his career with exactly 3,000 hits.
Who won the Roberto Clemente Award this year?
Which Players Have Won the Roberto Clemente Award?YEARPLAYERTEAM2018Yadier MolinaSt. Louis Cardinals2019Carlos CarrascoCleveland Indians2020Adam WainwrightSt. Louis Cardinals2021Nelson CruzTampa Bay Rays/Minnesota Twins48 more rows•Sep 14, 2022
What is the most interesting fact about Roberto Clemente?
Clemente was the first Hispanic player to accomplish many feats in the majors. He was the first to win a World Series as a starter, be named league MVP, be named World Series MVP and be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Who was the first Hispanic person elected into the baseball Hall of Fame?
ClementeIn 1973, Clemente, who was born and grew up in Puerto Rico, became the first Latino player inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame, 11 years after Robinson became the first African American inducted. The Hall of Fame waived the normal five-year wait for Clemente; the only other player it did that for was Lou Gehrig.
When was Roberto Clemente High School built?
1974Roberto Clemente Community Academy / Founded
When did Roberto Clemente get his 3000 hit?
Sept. 30, 1972At the time, there was no way of knowing that Sept. 30, 1972 -- 50 years ago today -- would mark the final time Roberto Clemente stepped to the plate in a regular-season game. Nor was there any way of knowing that Clemente's fourth-inning double off the Mets' Jon Matlack would be the last hit he'd collect.
Where was Roberto Clemente born?
Roberto Clemente was born in Barrio San Antón, Carolina, Puerto Rico, to Melchor Clemente and Luisa Walker. He was the youngest of seven children. During Clemente's childhood, his father worked as a foreman for sugar cane crops located in the municipality, located in the northeastern part of the island. Because the family's resources were limited, Clemente and his brothers worked alongside his father in the fields, loading and unloading trucks. As a youth, Clemente was a track and field star and Olympic hopeful before deciding to turn his attention to baseball.
Where did Clemente serve?
In September 1958, Clemente joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He served his six-month active duty commitment at Parris Island, South Carolina, Camp LeJeune in North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. At Parris Island, Clemente received recruit training with Platoon 346 of the 3rd Recruit Battalion. The rigorous Marine Corps training programs helped Clemente physically; he added strength by gaining ten pounds and said his back troubles (caused by being in a 1954 auto accident, see below) had disappeared. He was a private first class in the Marine Corps Reserve until September 1964.
Why was the Roberto Clemente bridge named?
The bridge was named for Clemente as a local compromise. The coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico was named the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in 1973; two baseball parks are in Carolina: the professional one is named Roberto Clemente Stadium for him; the other is a Double-A.
How many at bats did Clemente have?
In the course of two days and three games (two of which he started), Clemente amassed ten at-bats, two more than in the previous thirty games combined. Yet just as abruptly, the moment was over and he was back to riding the bench, this time for almost two months.
What was the batting average of Clemente in the 1960s?
Pittsburgh Pirates, 1960s. A statue of Clemente outside of PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Early in the 1960 season, Clemente led the league with a .353 batting average, and the 14 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs recorded in May alone resulted in Clemente's selection as the National League 's Player of the Month.
What happened to Clemente in the rookie season?
During his rookie season, Clemente had to sit out several games, as he had suffered a lower back injury in Puerto Rico the previous winter. A speeding, drunk driver rammed into his car at an intersection. He finished his rookie season with a .255 batting average, despite trouble hitting certain types of pitches. His defensive skills were highlighted during this season.
How old was Clemente when he joined the Puerto Rico team?
Clemente joined Puerto Rico's amateur league when he was 16 years old, playing for the Ferdinand Juncos team, which represented the municipality of Juncos.
Where did Roberto Clemente go to high school?
Former Major League Baseball player Roberto Clemente attended Julio Vizcarrondo Coronado High School in Carolina , Puerto Rico. He was an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League for his entire major league career.
When did Clemente get inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Clemente was posthumously inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.
Where was Roberto Clemente born?
Baseball Career. Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker was born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The son of a sugarcane worker, Clemente began his professional baseball career just after finishing high school. He signed a deal with the Brooklyn Dodgers and played with their minor league team, the Montreal Royals, for a season.
What team did Roberto Clemente play for?
Roberto Clemente played with the Brooklyn Dodgers' minor league team before making his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955. He led the National League in batting four times during the 1960s and starred in the 1971 World Series. He died in a plane crash to deliver goods to Nicaragua in 1972.
Who was Clemente's wife?
Off the field, Clemente was described as a quiet gentleman. He was proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and stood up for minority rights. Clemente married Vera Zabala in 1963, and they had three sons.
How many home runs did Clemente have in the 1971 World Series?
Clemente put on a show in the 1971 World Series, batting .414 with two home runs to help Pittsburgh defeat the favored Baltimore Orioles. Late in the 1972 season, he became the first Hispanic player to reach 3,000 career hits.
Who is Roberto Clemente?
Who was Roberto Clemente? Roberto Clemente was a professional Puerto Rican baseball player, who is regarded among the best baseball players ever. Having won numerous awards including the Most Valuable Player Award in his lifetime, he was one of the few players in history who reached the 3000-hit milestone.
Where did Clemente go to high school?
Clemente attended Vizcarrondo High School, which was located in Carolina. From an early age, he developed an interest in baseball. In his first year of high school, he was recruited by Roberto Marin to play softball with the Sello Rojo team after Marin was impressed by his baseball skills.
What team did Pedrin Zorilla play for?
He played for the Cangrejeros de Santurce, a winter league team, in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League.
How many children did Clemente have?
They had seven children, Roberto being the youngest one. Their family was not very privileged, and his father used to work in the sugar fields, sometimes being aided by Roberto as well, in loading and unloading trucks. Clemente attended Vizcarrondo High School, which was located in Carolina.
What award did Roberto Clemente win?
Roberto Clemente won several awards in his lifetime, which included the NL MVP Award in 1966.
What was the average of Clemente's first stop on the All Star roster?
Clemente earned his first stop on the NL All-star roster as a reserve player because of his fantastic performance including a .314 average and 16 home runs. After playing in the 1961 season, he went back to Puerto Rico with his friend and fellow baseball player Orlando Cepeda, a native of Ponce.
What awards did Clemente receive?
Clemente also received three civilian awards posthumously: the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Citizens Medal from President Richard Nixon in 1973, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush in 2003.
When was Roberto Clemente in the Santurce Cangrejeros?
Roberto Clemente in 1954-55 Winter season with the Santurce Cangrejeros. Photo: JCD Collection
What is the title of the book about Clemente?
The prologue of David Maraniss’s definitive biography is titled “Memory and Myth,” and books about Clemente are notoriously spotty in their balance of truth and fiction. In a period perceived as a second “dead-ball” era, it was easy to see top performers like Mays, Aaron, Mantle, and Clemente as titans.
Why did Roberto see the next shipment of supplies?
He insisted on seeing the next shipment there himself to ensure that the Somoza regime distributed the aid appropriately. It was December 30, and the flight was scheduled for the morning.
How much did Luis Olmo offer Roberto?
Sensing an opportunity, Luis Olmo of the Braves approached Roberto with a $30000 offer. He went to his parents for advice, and Luisa recommended that he sign with whoever he gave his word to first. By staying true to his word and signing with the Dodgers, the 18-year-old Roberto built his professional career on an honorable foundation.
What was Roberto's weapon?
Sports commentators often invoked industrial imagery when describing Roberto’s arm; it was a “gun,” a “rifle,” a “weapon” renowned for its laser precision and raw power. He would often claim that his mother Luisa had just as powerful an arm as his, which is actually believable given her life of arduous manual labor.
When did Roberto Jr. marry?
The wedding in November 1964 was a national event, with thousands lining the streets to see the procession. Roberto Jr. would come into their lives in 1965, followed by Luis in 1966 and Enrique in 1969.
Who inspired Roberto to play baseball?
The combined influence of Monte and Luisa inspired Roberto to pursue his baseball dream, and his javelin experience was visible in how he understood the physics of the ball and his body.
What team did Clemente play for?
The Milwaukee Braves offered more money, but Clemente had already committed to Brooklyn. 3. Best Rule 5 pick ever. Because Clemente was signed for more than $4,000 and spent all of 1954 with Triple-A Montreal, he was deemed a "bonus baby," which left him eligible for what's now called the Rule 5 draft.
When was Roberto Clemente's night?
Clemente's night. Clemente became so beloved in Pittsburgh that the Pirates organized "Roberto Clemente Night" on July 24, 1970. He was presented with a scroll containing 300,000 signatures of thanks from other Puerto Ricans.
Why was Roberto Clemente Day moved to May 31?
Major League Baseball moved the 2016 edition of Roberto Clemente Day up from its normal September observance to May 31 to correspond with the Marlins and Pirates playing a series in his homeland of Puerto Rico. The games were moved out of San Juan due to concerns about the Zika virus, but the lauding of Clemente goes on.
How many games did Clemente hit in the World Series?
Clemente hit safely in all seven games of the Pirates' remarkable World Series win over the Yankees, and kept their eighth-inning rally going in Game 7 by legging out an RBI single. Without his heroics, Bill Mazeroski might not have gotten the chance to hit his famous series-ending homer.
How many hits did Clemente have in two consecutive games?
Unstoppable for 48 hours. For two days in 1970, the Los Angeles Dodgers simply couldn't get Clemente out. He set a since-tied Pirates record by recording 10 hits over two consecutive games, going 5-for-7 in a 16-inning game on Aug. 22, then 5-for-6 with four runs scored on Aug. 23. 11.
How many gold gloves does Clemente have?
Clemente is one of just four players to possess at least 10 Gold Gloves and a .300 career average. The others? Willie Mays, Ichiro Suzuki, and fellow Puerto Rican Roberto Alomar.
What was Clemente's first uniform number?
His first uniform number. It's hard to believe, but Clemente played the first month of his big-league career wearing No. 13. Outfielder Earl Smith had No. 21, but he was released in April after only five games. Once he was gone, Clemente grabbed No. 21, and never took it off.
Overview
Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican professional baseball right fielder who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his early death, he was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming both the first Caribbean and the first Latin-American player to be enshrined. Because he died at a young age and had such a stellar career, the Hall of Fame changed its rules of eligibility. As an alternative t…
Early life
Roberto was born in Barrio San Antón, Carolina, Puerto Rico, to Melchor Clemente and Luisa Walker. He was the youngest of seven children. During Clemente's childhood, his father worked as a foreman for sugar cane crops located in the municipality, located in the northeastern part of the island. Because the family's resources were limited, Clemente and his brothers worked alongside his father in the fields, loading, and unloading trucks. As a youth, Clemente was a track and field …
Puerto Rican baseball (1952–1954)
Clemente's professional baseball career began at age 18 when he accepted a contract from Pedrín Zorilla with Cangrejeros de Santurce ("Crabbers"), a winter league team and franchise of the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League (LBPPR). Clemente signed with the team on October 9, 1952. He was a bench player during his first season but was promoted to the Cangrejeros' starting lineup the following season. During this season he hit .288 as the team's leadoff hitter.
Minor league baseball (1954)
After signing with the Dodgers on February 19, 1954, Clemente moved to Montreal to play with the Royals. Affected early on by both climate and language differences, Clemente received assistance from bilingual teammates such as infielder Chico Fernandez and pitchers Tommy Lasorda and Joe Black.
Black was the original target of the Pittsburgh Pirates' June 1, 1954, scouting trip to Richmond. C…
Major League Baseball (1955–1972)
For all but the first seven weeks of his major league career, Clemente wore number 21, so chosen because his full name of Roberto Clemente Walker had that many letters. After his death, this number was retired by the Pirates. For his first few weeks, Clemente wore the number 13, as his teammate Earl Smith was wearing number 21. It was later reassigned to Clemente.
Personal life
Clemente was married on November 14, 1964, to Vera Zabala at San Fernando Church in Carolina. The couple had three children: Roberto Jr., born in 1965, Luis Roberto, born in 1966, and Roberto Enrique, born in 1969. Vera Clemente died on November 16, 2019, aged 78.
Clemente was a devout Catholic.
In the 1958–59 off-season, Clemente enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and served duri…
Charity work and death
Clemente spent much of his time during the off-season involved in charity work. When Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua, was affected by a massive earthquake on December 23, 1972, Clemente (who visited Managua three weeks before the quake) immediately set to work arranging emergency relief flights. He soon learned, however, that the aid packages on the first three flights had been diverted by corrupt officials of the Somoza government, never reaching victims of the q…
Hall of Fame
On March 20, 1973, the Baseball Writers' Association of America held a special election for the Baseball Hall of Fame. They voted to waive the waiting period for Clemente, due to the circumstances of his death, and posthumously elected him for induction into the Hall of Fame, giving him 393 out of 420 available votes, for 92.7% of the vote.
Clemente's Hall of Fame plaque originally had his name as "Roberto Walker Clemente" instead o…