Roberto the Great

    It was the seventh and final game of the 1971 World Series. The scoreboard read 0-0. Over the loudspeaker, a deep voice boomed: “Number 21 . . . Roberto Clemente!” 

    The right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates stepped up to the plate. His team was expected to lose to the Baltimore Orioles. But Clemente promised his teammates they would win.

    Clemente had beaten tough odds before. As a Black man from Puerto Rico, he faced racism throughout his baseball career. His incredible talent was often overlooked. Yet Clemente’s pride in himself and his heritage never wavered. Now he wanted to show the world he was one of the best players.

    Clemente took a slow practice swing. Then he raised his wooden bat over his shoulder and waited. The pitcher wound up, ready to throw the ball. The sold-out crowd held its breath. 

    A moment later, the ball whizzed through the air . . .

    It was the seventh and final game of the 1971 World Series. The scoreboard read 0-0. Over the loudspeaker, a voice boomed: “Number 21 . . . Roberto Clemente!” 

    The right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates stepped up to the plate. His team was expected to lose to the Baltimore Orioles. But Clemente felt sure they would win.

    Clemente had beaten tough odds before. As a Black man from Puerto Rico, he faced racism throughout his baseball career. His talent was often overlooked. Yet Clemente’s pride in himself and his heritage never wavered. Now he wanted to show the world what a great player he was.

    Clemente took a practice swing. Then he raised his bat over his shoulder and waited. The pitcher wound up, ready to throw the ball. The crowd held its breath.

    A moment later, the ball whizzed through the air . . .

    It was the seventh and final game of the 1971 World Series. The scoreboard read 0-0. Over the loudspeaker, a deep voice boomed: “Number 21 . . . Roberto Clemente!”  

    The right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates stepped up to the plate. His team was expected to lose to the Baltimore Orioles, but Clemente promised his teammates they would win.

    Clemente had beaten tough odds before. As a Black man from Puerto Rico, he faced racism throughout his baseball career. His incredible talent was often overlooked. Yet Clemente’s pride in himself and his heritage never wavered. Now he wanted to show the world he was one of the best players.

    Clemente took a slow practice swing. Then he raised his wooden bat over his shoulder and waited. The pitcher wound up, ready to throw the ball. The sold-out crowd held its breath.

    A moment later, the ball whizzed through the air . . .

    In 1955, Clemente joined the Pittsburgh Pirates. But he arrived during a terrible time in American history. The Pirates trained in the South. There was segregation in public places there. That meant Black players couldn’t stay at the same hotels or eat at the same restaurants as their White teammates.

    Clemente had never experienced that kind of racism. He was shocked. And as one of the only Latino players on the Pirates, he felt like even more of an outsider. 

    Clemente struggled to make friends. When he spoke English, sports reporters made fun of his accent. They couldn’t get his name right, so they started calling him “Bob.”

    Baseball was his only joy. Clemente made impossible catches. He ran the bases so quickly that even a small hit could lead to a score. 

    In 1960, Clemente helped the Pirates win the World Series. As he left the stadium, someone yelled, “There’s Clemente!” Cheering fans surrounded him. He had finally won them over.

    In 1955, Clemente joined the Pittsburgh Pirates. He arrived during a terrible time in American history. The Pirates trained in the South. There was segregation in public places there. That meant Black players couldn’t stay at the same hotels or eat at the same restaurants as their White teammates.

    Clemente had never known racism like that. He was shocked. And as one of the only Latino players on the team, he felt even more alone.

    Clemente struggled to make friends. When he spoke English, sports reporters made fun of his accent. They couldn’t get his name right, so they called him “Bob.”

    Baseball was his only joy. He made amazing catches. He ran the bases so quickly that even a small hit could lead to a score.

    In 1960, Clemente helped the Pirates win the World Series. As he left the stadium, someone yelled, “There’s Clemente!” Cheering fans surrounded him. He had won them over. 

    In 1955, Clemente joined the Pittsburgh Pirates—-but he arrived during a terrible time in American history. The Pirates trained in the South, where segregation in public places prevented Black players from staying at the same hotels or eating at the same restaurants as their White teammates.

    Never having experienced that kind of racism, Clemente was shocked—and as one of the only Latino players on the Pirates, he felt like even more of an outsider.

    Clemente struggled to make friends. When he spoke English, sports reporters made fun of his accent. Rather than learning to pronounce his name correctly, they started calling him “Bob.”

    Baseball was his only joy. Clemente made impossible catches, and he ran the bases so quickly that even a small hit could lead to a score.

    In 1960, Clemente helped the Pirates win the World Series. As he left the stadium, someone shouted, “There’s Clemente!” Cheering fans surrounded him. He had finally won them over. 

    After 18 seasons with the Pirates, Clemente began to imagine life after baseball. He wanted to help others. Already, he gave free baseball lessons to kids in Puerto Rico. He donated money to feed hungry people. But he dreamed of doing so much more.

    In December 1972, Clemente had just returned from coaching a game in Nicaragua when an earthquake struck there. Thousands of people died. Many more were left homeless. 

    The baseball star sprang into action. On New Year’s Eve, he boarded a flight to deliver food and medicine. But right after takeoff, an engine failed. The plane plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. At just 38 years old, Clemente was gone.

    After 18 seasons with the Pirates, Clemente began to imagine life after baseball. He wanted to help others. Already, he gave free baseball lessons to kids in Puerto Rico. He donated money to feed hungry people. But he dreamed of doing more.

    In December 1972, there was an earthquake in Nicaragua. Thousands of people died. Many more were left homeless.

    Clemente wanted to help. He planned to deliver food and medicine. On New Year’s Eve, he boarded a plane. But right after takeoff, an engine failed. The plane plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. At just 38 years old, Clemente was gone.

    After 18 seasons with the Pirates, Clemente was imagining life after baseball. He wanted to help others. He was already giving free baseball lessons to kids in Puerto Rico and donating money to feed hungry people, but he dreamed of doing so much more.

    In December 1972, Clemente had just returned from coaching a game in Nicaragua when an earthquake struck there, leaving thousands of people dead and many more homeless.

    The baseball star sprang into action. On New Year’s Eve, he boarded a flight to deliver food and medicine to the people of Nicaragua—but right after takeoff, an engine failed and the plane plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. At just 38 years old, Clemente was gone.