Celebrating Puerto Rican Baseball Legend Roberto Clemente this HHM

I will never forget that morning when I woke up and my house was already in mourning. It was the new year, January 1, 1973. The television set was on. The air was balmy, the sky grey. Rain was on its way. As I walked to the kitchen, I saw my brother in front of the television, watching. Tears were rolling down his face. My dad’s head was down. He did that when he prayed. “Qué paso?” I asked. “What happened?” My dad’s head lifts up, “Roberto Clemente’s plane went down. They can’t find it…”

Clemente, as we all referred to him on the island was considered a hero to everyone. Not only he was the first black Puerto Rican baseball player to make it into a Major League Team in the mainland, but he was also a man of faith with an amazing generous heart, a true humanitarian. At the time of his death, on December 31, 1972, Clemente was on his way to Nicaragua to deliver aid to earthquake victims. A deed no one was surprised at since in the offseason, he was often found collecting baseball equipment and food for those in need.

An outfielder for 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was the first Latina American and Caribbean player to have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. He was an All-Star for 12 seasons, the NL Most Valuable player in 1966 and the NL batting leader four years. He also played in two World Series Championships.

Breaking into the Major Leagues was not easy for Clemente. He experienced racial tension with the media and even with some teammates. His famous quote, “I don’t believe in color,” describes an upbringing devoid of discrimination based on ethnicity. To him, everyone was equal.

Known for his kind spirit, Clemente was loved by children. He always made time for baseball clinics for kids, especially children from low-income families. His dream? He wanted to build a “Sports City” where Puerto Rican youth would have a place to play sports of any kind. Spearheaded by his widow, Vera Zabala, and the government of Puerto Rico, Clemente’s dream became a reality in 1974 when the Roberto Clemente Sports City was inaugurated in his home-town, Carolina. If the whole island had mourned him for days at the time of his death, the whole people, the pueblo, came together to celebrate this facility, a place where children of all ages could learn and train in all sports.

Celebrating Puerto Rican Baseball Legend Roberto Clemente this HHM - Para Roberto Monument

PC: Ed Garcia Conde / Welcome2theBronx

Early this October, a monument called Para Roberto, honoring Clemente the baseball legend and the humanitarian was unveiled at the Roberto Clemente Plaza in South Bronx. Designed by Latina artists Melissa Calderón, the sculpture pays tribute to a man whose mission had always been to help children, all children, realize their own dreams.

Clemente was my brother’s hero. He knew all of his stats, all of his accomplishments, listened to all his interviews on the radio and on television, listened to all the games. Mostly, what impressed my brother and my family about Clemente was really his character and the person that he was outside his uniform. A family man that cared for others, everywhere, and how he commanded respect and admiration regardless of the color of his skin.

Roberto Clemente, a role model for our children!

Bai, Bai

Maritere

List of Puerto Ricans

Roberto Clemente Sports City

We are so excited for our eighth annual Hispanic Heritage Month series! Now through October 15, you’ll find great resources to share Hispanic Heritage with kids, plus you can link up your own posts on Hispanic Heritage! Find even more ideas on our Latin America Pinterest board.