What is Hall of Fame did Roberto Clemente get into?
The Baseball Hall of Fame normally must wait five years after a player retires to induct him into its Cooperstown, New York facility. However, the Baseball Writers' Association of America held a special election on March 20, 1973, and voted Clemente into the elite of the elite.
Why was Roberto Clemente important to history?
- First Latin American inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame, 1973
- 3,000 career hits
- World Series champion, 1960, 1971
- World Series MVP, 1971
- National League MVP, 1966
- 12 Gold Glove awards, 1961– 1972
- Activist for racial equality and players' rights in baseball
Does Roberto Clemente have a nickname?
Does Roberto Clemente have a nickname? Although the media tried to call him “Bob” or “Bobby” and many of his baseball cards use “Bob,” Clemente explicitly rejected those nicknames, stating in no uncertain terms that his name was Roberto. There was also confusion over the correct form of his surname.
What was Roberto Clemente batting average?
Roberto Clementes had an impressive lifetime batting average of .317, and is one of only a few players to have collected 3,000 hits. He was a powerhouse from the outfield too, throwing out players from over 400 feet.
Who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973?
But at the 1973 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, emotions overflowed during the celebration of six legends – including one whose passing shocked the world. On Aug. 6, 1973, Roberto Clemente, Billy Evans, Monte Irvin, George Kelly, Warren Spahn and Mickey Welch were enshrined in Cooperstown.
What was unique about Clemente getting inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Clemente became the second player to have the mandatory five-year waiting period waived to get into the Hall of Fame when he was elected on March 20, 1973.
Who was the first Hispanic person elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, waived the rule requiring a five-year wait after retirement (or death) before a player could be elected to the Hall, and in July 1973 Clemente was the first player born in Latin America to be inducted into the national baseball shrine.
How much are Roberto Clemente baseball cards worth?
Estimated PSA 8 Value: $42,500 The only recognized Roberto Clemente rookie card in the hobby, his 1955 Topps #146 issue has exploded in popularity over the past several years. The high demand has driven up prices making it easily one of the most valuable baseball cards in the hobby.
Is Roberto Clemente a Hall of Famer?
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973 in a special election that waived the mandatory five-year waiting period. “Baseball survives,” wrote columnist Jimmy Cannon of the New York Journal-American, “because guys like Clemente still play it.”
Is Lou Gehrig in the Hall of Fame?
1939Lou Gehrig / Hall of fame inductionGehrig was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939. He passed away on June 2, 1941. That Lou Gehrig was the first baseball player to have his uniform number retired?
Who is the best Mexican baseball player?
When it comes to the best current Mexican players in the MLB in 2022, World Series champion Julio Urías deserves to be high up in the rankings. Some of the best baseball players right now are Mexican MLB stars, like Luis Urías, José Urquidy, and Giovanny Gallegos.
How many Hispanic players are in the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Since its inception, the HHBMHOF has inducted (74) players, coaches, broadcasters, Negro Leagues Hispanic players, MLB Scorers, and Pioneer Executives. Founding members include Orlando Cepeda, Orlando Mercado and Tito 23 Fuentes.
Who is the best Dominican baseball player?
Pedro Martinez When it comes to the best Dominican baseball players, there is only one choice for the top spot, and it's Pedro. Pedro Martinez earned over 91% of Hall of Fame votes in his first year of eligibility because he was truly one of the best pitchers of his generation.
How much is a Babe Ruth rookie baseball card worth?
Babe Ruth rookie card sells for record $2.46 million.
What is the most expensive Roberto Clemente baseball card?
1955 Topps #1641955 Topps #164 This is his rookie issue and the most valuable card in the collection. The 1955 Topps set has a classic horizontal format that has been popular with collectors for decades. The Clemente card is found in the more scarce high-number series, which adds to the challenge of acquisition.
How much is a 1972 Roberto Clemente card worth?
1972 TOPPS 309 ROBERTO CLEMENTEGradeMost Recent PriceAverage PriceMINT 9$1,380.00$1,244.77NM - MT 8$385.00$383.49NM 7$233.27$177.56EX - MT 6$132.00$122.238 more rows•Dec 4, 2014
What happened to Roberto Clemente?
The sudden and tragic passing of Roberto Clemente in an airplane crash on New Year's Eve in 1972 shook the baseball world. On this day in 1973, the Pittsburgh Pirates legend became the first Hispanic player to be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame.
Who was the first Hispanic player to be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame?
Induction also came with another honor. Clemente became the first Hispanic player to ever be enshrined in the MLB Hall of Fame, helping to further legitimize the impact that players from Latin America had upon the game.
Did Clemente get to Nicaragua?
Unfortunately, neither Clemente or the suppli es would get to Nicaragua. His airplane crashed during a storm on New Year's Eve in 1972, and his body was never found. His sudden passing sent shockwaves through not only the Pirates, but the entire game. Tributes began pouring in, as Clemente was remembered not just as a great player, but a great person as well.
Was Clemente inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Clemente was placed on a special ballot by the Baseball Writers Association of American, as the normal five year wait for induction was waived. He earned 393 of the 424 votes, as 31 members somehow felt as though he was not worthy of being a part of the MLB Hall of Fame. It was a fitting final tribute to Clemente, a memorial of his accomplishments on the diamond.
What is Roberto Clemente's favorite food?
The Major League Baseball right fielder Roberto Clemente's favorite food, according to his son Roberto Clemente, Jr., was live crabs. Roberto was 7 years old when his father passed away in a plane crash traveling from Puerto Rico to Nicaragua for earthquake relief. While mentioning live crabs, Clemente, Jr.
Where is Clemente buried?
Roberto Clemente Birth 18 Aug 1934 Carolina, Carolina Municipality, Puerto Rico, USA Death 31 Dec 1972 (aged 38) San Juan, San Juan Municipality, Puerto Rico, USA Burial Buried or Lost at Sea, Specifically: Never recovered from airplane wreckage off the coast of Puerto Rico Memorial ID 2576 · View Source
Who was the first Hispanic MLB player?
In 1902, Castro became the first Latino player in baseball's modern era, and the first to play in what is now Major League Baseball. Castro 's short Major League career—only lasting 42 games in the 1902 season where he batted for a .
Was Roberto Clemente poor?
Early Life 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. There was still time, however, for his first love—baseball—which he played on the sandlots of his home town in Puerto Rico until he was eighteen years old.
When was Roberto Clemente inducted into the Hall of Fame?
After dying in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, Roberto Clemente was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973 when the mandatory five-year waiting period was waived.
How old was Roberto Clemente when he died?
With his body never found, Roberto Clemente was pronounced dead at the age of 38. Since his death – schools, hospitals, parks, and baseball fields have all been named after Clemente in his honor. The right-field wall at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park is 21 feet high to recognize Clemente’s retired number in Pittsburgh.
What happened to Roberto Clemente?
But Clemente’s overloaded plane crashed off the coast of San Juan just after take-off on Dec. 31, 1972. With his body never found, Roberto Clemente was pronounced dead at the age of 38.
What year did Clemente get injured?
Overcoming a near career-ending injury from a car accident his rookie year and suffering from malaria during the start of the 1965 season, Clemente was the 1966 NL Most Valuable Player -- amassing career highs in home runs and RBI with 29 and 119 respectively.
How long did Clemente play for the Pirates?
Clemente would debut in the big leagues in 1955 and play his entire 18-year career with the Pirates.
Who is Roberto Clemente's wife?
Roberto Clemente and his wife Vera were actively involved in charitable works in both Pittsburgh and Puerto Rico. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
Who hit the 3,000th career hit?
Roberto Clemente recorded his 3,000th career hit in the final regular season game that he started for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
What teams did Clemente play for?
During the off-seasons (except the 1958–59, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1971–72, and 1972–73 seasons), Clemente played professionally for the Santurce Crabbers, Criollos de Caguas, and San Juan Senadores in the Puerto Rican baseball winter league, where he was considered a star. He sometimes managed the San Juan team.
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.
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 many All Star games did Clemente play?
Clemente was an All-Star for 13 seasons, playing in 15 All-Star Games. He was the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1966, the NL batting leader in 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1967, and a Gold Glove Award winner for 12 consecutive seasons from 1961 through 1972.
When was Roberto Clemente Walker inducted into the Hall of Fame?
The Hall of Fame. Roberto Clemente Walker was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. After his death, the Cleveland Plain Dealer was one of the first newspapers to call for a special election for him to be put in the Hall Of Fame immediately after his death. He is one of only two players to reach the Hall without ...
Why was Clemente excepted?
Clemente was excepted because the people truly believed he was a great man and had to honor him recently after his death.
Where is the Hall of Fame plaque located?
On a trip to the Hall of Fame, Vera Clemente noticed the mistake, and told the people who run the Hall. The Hall of Fame returned the plaque to Pittsburgh, the home of Roberto's Pirates, where the company that makes the Hall of Fame's plaques is located.
What was the wrong name for Roberto Walker?
His last names were switched, as Hispanic families list the mother's last name after the father's. Instead of "Roberto Clemente Walker", the plaque read "Roberto Walker Clemente". On a trip to the Hall of Fame, Vera Clemente noticed the mistake, and told the people who run the Hall. The Hall of Fame returned the plaque to Pittsburgh, the home of Roberto's Pirates, where the company that makes the Hall of Fame's plaques is located. The plaque was melted, recast with the proper name, and then sent to Cooperstown.
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.
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.
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.
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 ha…
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 (LBBPR). 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. 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.
During the off-seasons (except the 1958–59, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1968–69, 19…
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…