#21 - we remember.
"As one of baseball's most physically graceful performers, Roberto Clemente was known for his sleek, precise strides roaming right field, the unerring quick strikes of his throws to catch foolish runners who would test his arm, and the crackling line drives from his bat, which earned him a stellar .317 lifetime batting average.
But he was also an activist and civil rights leader. Clemente's legacy places him alongside athletes who spoke out during the 1960s and 70s era of America's racial reckoning.
And as the 19th annual Roberto Clemente day comes at a time when America is facing an awakening on systemic racism, we should remember that what Clemente did off the field was just as important as what he did on it.
As a player who faced stinging Jim Crow discrimination during spring training in Florida with the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as a cool reception in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Clemente was not shy about calling out discrimination. Even up to his last interview in October 1972, he talked about being racially profiled at a New York furniture store, where employees initially refused to show him their best merchandise before they found out who he was. He also described how he fought against the indignity that Black players faced -- like when he refused to have food brought to him on the team's bus because he and his other Black teammates couldn't dine with their White teammates at segregated restaurants.
Two months later, on New Year's Eve, Clemente died in a plane crash while he was trying to bring humanitarian supplies from his homeland to Nicaragua after a major earthquake.
On Wednesday, all Puerto Rican players in Major League Baseball have the opportunity to wear number 21, commemorating the 19th annual Roberto Clemente Day. Players like Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals and Eddie Rosario of the Minnesota Twins wore it on Tuesday because their teams were not scheduled to play on Wednesday. All the players of the Pittsburgh Pirates including Puerto Rican third base coach, Joey Cora, will be wearing it."
Link: Clemente
Replies to: #21 - we remember.
I always thought Roberto was one of the most underrated players of all time. If he did not play in
the massive Forbes Field he would have hit a lot more home runs to go with his speed, strong arm, fielding ability, hitting ability and overall maybe the greatest clutch player in the World Series. He hit in all 14 World Series games he played and while playing in smaller parks during the series, was able to hit 3 home runs against Baltimore. His arm may have been the best of all time. Truly a gem of a player.
I Agree
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The most elegant player since DiMaggio... but by today's standards an Uncle Tom
Of course that would be true for most of the great civil rights leaders in history.
Not by those who count. Andrew McCutcheon said it best.
Posted at 1:36 pm on Sep 10, 2020
"I would never wear that number. I know a lot of guys who would never wear that number. That number belongs to Roberto."
Roberto spoke his mind. He was more a Humanitarian.
Posted at 4:18 am on Sep 10, 2020
He did not lead marches. He did not use a bullhorn.
He did not destroy.
He spoke his mind. He stood up for Latinos.
He lead by example. Not by in your face
screaming and ranting.