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Roberto Clemente was a professional baseball player from Puerto Rico. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1955 to 1972. Clemente was known for his exceptional skills as an outfielder and his powerful arm. He was also an accomplished hitter, winning four batting titles during his career. Off the field, Clemente was admired for his humanitarian efforts. He was involved in numerous charitable activities, especially focused on helping children in need. Sadly, Clemente’s life was tragically cut short when he died in a plane crash while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He is remembered as one of the greatest baseball players and humanitarians of all time.
He was known by different names like “Arriba” and “The Great One.” He was a skilled baseball player and a source of pride for Puerto Rico. Yes, we’re talking about Roberto Clemente!
So, who was Roberto Clemente? He was one of the greatest baseball players in history! Clemente was born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He showed his talent for sports from a young age. At 17, he started playing in the Puerto Rican Baseball League for the Santurce Crabbers.
Later on, Clemente moved to the mainland United States. There, he played one season in the minor leagues. In 1955, he joined Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Just five years later, Clemente led the Pirates to victory in the 1960 World Series.
Many baseball fans consider Clemente as one of the best right fielders in history. And they have plenty of evidence to support that claim! He won 12 consecutive Golden Gloves, which is an award given each year to the best defensive players in baseball. He also won four batting titles and the 1966 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.
One of Clemente’s most memorable baseball moments happened in 1971. The Baltimore Orioles were expected to win against the Pirates in the World Series that year. However, the Pirates surprised everyone with an incredible victory.
During that game, Clemente had a batting average of .414 and hit two home runs. This outstanding performance earned him the 1971 World Series MVP award. The following year, he achieved a milestone by reaching 3,000 career hits. He was only the 11th player in MLB history to accomplish this.
People remember Clemente not only for his baseball talent but also for his dedication to helping children, especially those in Puerto Rico and Latin America. He organized baseball clinics to teach underprivileged kids how to play the sport. Clemente also had a dream of creating a “Sports City” in Puerto Rico, which would provide coaching and support for kids in various sports.
Unfortunately, this dream never became a reality. On December 31, 1972, Clemente was on a humanitarian mission to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake. His plane crashed near the coast of Puerto Rico, resulting in the loss of Clemente and everyone else on board. He left behind his wife, Vera, and three children.
Roberto Clemente was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1973. The MLB also honors him every year on September 9 with Roberto Clemente Day. Today, the Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh educates visitors about his achievements on and off the field. Puerto Rico’s main professional baseball league is also named after him. It’s called the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LBPRC).
Many fans remember Clemente as a versatile athlete, while others admire his humanitarian work even more. What do you think was Roberto Clemente’s greatest accomplishment?
Try It Out
Continue learning with the help of a friend or family member and the activities below.
Puerto Rico has a rich history of producing exceptionally skilled baseball players. Take a look at this article detailing the baseball history of Puerto Rico. What do you think is the reason behind the abundance of great baseball players from there? How does it compare to other countries? Summarize your findings for a friend or family member.
When it comes to the most popular sports in the world, what do you think takes the top spot? Is it football? Perhaps it’s basketball. You might be surprised. Make an informed guess and write down your top three choices. Now, read this article about the most popular sports globally. Were your predictions accurate? Did you come across any sports on the list that you weren’t even aware of? Write a brief narrative about which sports you believed were the most popular and which ones actually hold that title.
The official Major League Baseball website offers a wide variety of entertaining activities. Enlist the help of a friend or family member and have a blast!
Sources for Further Exploration
- https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/clemente-roberto (accessed 27 Aug. 2021)
- https://clementemuseum.com/ (accessed 27 Aug. 2021)
- http://www.robertoclemente.si.edu/english/virtual_legacy.htm (accessed 27 Aug. 2021)
- https://www.mlb.com/player/roberto-clemente-112391 (accessed 27 Aug. 2021)
- https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed 27 Aug. 2021)
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