Celebrate Roberto Clemente’s Legacy on Roberto Clemente Day: Sept. 15
Written by: Briana Bindus
Roberto Clemente Walker was a star on and off the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball field, making history as the first Latin American player inducted into the hall of fame. Clemente inspired the world with his philanthropy and in turn, putting Pittsburgh on the map.
Clemente made his debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, eventually becoming “the greatest baseball player of his time,” according to some. He was notorious for his overwhelming playing capabilities – earning 12 Gold Gloves, four National League batting titles, which are awarded to players in each league with the highest batting average per season, playing in 15 All Star Games, and making 3,000 career hits, which was achieved during his last-ever Pirates game. At the time, only 10 other players made this mark.
After his 3,000th hit, Clemente dedicated his achievement to “the Pittsburgh fans” and to “the people in Puerto Rico,” his homeland. Clemente held his identity as a Puerto Rican man close to his heart, refusing to yield to racism and be called anything other than his appropriate name: Roberto Clemente Walker. Some media outlets would try to call him “Bob,” or “Bobby,” but he affirmed his Latino identity and would speak on national television in Spanish.
Clemente consistently advocated for equal rights and fought against racist stereotypes of African and Latin Americans. One of his largest goals was to build Ciudad Deportiva, a sports complex in Puerto Rico for young athletes. He would hold baseball clinics to help young baseball stars train.
Clemente’s philanthropic efforts extended beyond his birth town. After the Managua earthquake hit Nicaragua in 1972, he sent relief supplies to the country. The aid was ultimately lost, and Clemente decided to fly to Nicaragua himself to assist. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from San Juan, Puerto Rico, killing Clemente.
Following his death, Clemente was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming the second player to have the five-year waiting period waived. Today, the Roberto Clemente Foundation works to give back to the community in his name.
In 1971, Major League Baseball created the “Commissioner’s Award” to honor players who led the league in their philanthropic efforts. In 1973, a year after his death, the MLB renamed the award to the “Roberto Clemente Award” as tribute to Clemente’s humanitarian nature. The award is given out annually, along with $25,000 to the national winners’ charity of choice.
In 2002, as a way to deeply engrave Roberto Clemente into the sports’ identity, Major League Baseball recognized September 15 as Roberto Clemente Day, coinciding with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. As of 2023, Roberto Clemente Day is recognized as a Pennsylvania statewide commemoration.
The Pirates recognized this day as the “Clemente Day of Service,” where Pirates players and staff volunteered in the Pittsburgh community. Other organizations volunteered to create care packages, restock food pantries, deliver comfort items and more.
This year, the Pirates faced the Kansas City Royals at PNC Park on Roberto Clemente Day, Sunday, September 15. Along the same lines, PNC Park is hosting “Clemente Night” during the Pirates game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, September 24. The event will recognize the Clemente Museum as the “Pirates Non-Profit of the game.”
To further honor Clemente’s legacy, it’s worth checking out the “Beat ‘Em Bucs” exhibit at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum in the Strip District. You might also consider walking across the Roberto Clemente Bridge downtown, or admiring “The Legends of Pittsburgh” mural on Second Ave and Ross Street.
