Puerto Rican Clemente died at the age of 38 when his plane carrying aid to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua crashed into the sea on December 31, 1972 Posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973 the first player from Latin America to receive a plaque in Cooperstown.
Puerto Rican Clemente died at the age of 38 when his plane carrying aid to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua crashed into the sea on December 31, 1972. He was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming the first player from Latin America to have a plaque in Cooperstown.
Clemente was named to the All-Star Game 15 times and won the Gold Glove 12 times. He finished his career in the Major Leagues with exactly 3,000 hits. He won four batting titles and was the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1966. He also helped the Pirates win two World Series and was MVP of the 1971 Fall Classic, where he hit .414 with two home runs and a 1.219 OPS in Pittsburgh’s seven-game victory over Baltimore.
MLB created Roberto Clemente Day in 2002 and continues to celebrate the late Hall of Famer every September 15, which coincides with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.
On Friday morning, Pirates 2023 Roberto Clemente Award nominee David Bednar, along with team staff and volunteers from partner facilities, visited patients at the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute. The group distributed food, coffee and vouchers for tickets to Pirates games to hospital staff and patients.
This promotion is part of the Pirates Day of Service, a series of charitable activities in Pittsburgh in which every player on the team will participate.
At Major League Baseball fields Friday, all players and other personnel will wear the number 21 on a patch on their uniforms to honor Clemente, who wore that number with the Pirates.
Pittsburgh, Clemente’s team during his 18 years in the majors, hosts the Yankees at 6:35 ET at PNC Park, with everyone at both clubs wearing No. 21.
All players nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award They have the option of using 21 as their primary uniform number. In the past, top Puerto Rican players and others have worn number 21 in Roberto Clemente Day celebrations.
MLB Tonight, the MLB Network broadcast, will air live from PNC Park beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET before broadcasting the game between the Yankees and Pirates. Those teams’ Roberto Clemente Award nominees Aaron Judge and Bednar will be live along with host Harold Reynolds.
Additionally, all active players who have won the Roberto Clemente Award in the past will wear a patch with the number 21 on the back of their caps.
Fans can learn more about the efforts surrounding the Roberto Clemente Award nominees by visiting This website.
