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Roberto the Great

How a boy from Puerto Rico changed baseball forever

October 2021

by Mary Kate Frank

Before You Read: Check out our Background Builder slideshow

a sign that says "Whites Only. Reserved in terms of act"

racism

the unfair treatment of or violence against people because of their race

Because of racism in the 1950s, many places in the South had signs that said “Whites only.”

photo credit: Universal History Archive/Getty

heritage

important traditions and beliefs that are part of the history of a group or country

Playing drums is an important part of Lester’s Afro-Cuban heritage.

photo credit: Vesnandjic/Getty

wavered

became unsteady; began to fail

Emily’s confidence about singing in the talent show wavered when she saw how large the crowd was.

photo credit: Asier Romero/Shutterstock

a man wearing an apron and eating from a plate

Latino

describing a man from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and some of the Caribbean islands make up Latin America)

As a Latino chef, Luis enjoys cooking the foods he grew up with.

photo credit: Paisan579/Shutterstock

represent

speak or act for someone or something

On this map, all the red marks represent locations of my favorite bakeries.

photo credit: Kanitta Kula/Shutterstock

Todd Strand/Alamy Stock Photo

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 . . .

PAUSE AND THINK: Why did Clemente face tough odds in his baseball career?

ALL ABOUT PUERTO RICO

WHERE IS IT?

Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean Sea. It’s located about 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, Florida.

3 FAST FACTS

It is not a state or a country. It is a U.S. territory. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but cannot vote for U.S. president.
Puerto Rico has two official languages: Spanish and English.
It is a popular vacation spot known for its beaches, mountains, and rainforest.

Baseball Fever

Clemente was born in 1934 in Puerto Rico. He grew up the youngest of seven children in a small farming town called Carolina. His parents worked hard. Young Clemente helped by selling water to men in the sugarcane fields.

Like everyone in Puerto Rico, Clemente loved baseball. But he didn’t have money for equipment. So he carved a bat from a tree branch. He made a glove from a coffee sack. He and his friends used tin cans as balls. On weekends, they practiced all day—and didn’t care if they missed lunch.

The hard work paid off. In 1952, at age 18, Clemente joined a pro team in Puerto Rico. Soon, Major League Baseball came calling.

Far From Home

a baseball card for Roberto Clemente that says "Bob Clemente"

Todd Strand/Alamy Stock Photo

Roberto, not Bob
Many of Clemente’s baseball cards listed him as the more American-sounding “Bob.” This upset him. He thought it erased his heritage.

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.

Something to Prove

There was one group Clemente still couldn’t win over though: sports reporters. After the World Series, they voted for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Clemente hoped to win. But the reporters ranked him eighth. When the results came out, he was deeply hurt.

Clemente focused on improving his skills. Over the next several years, he got even better. And in 1971, he led the Pirates back to the World Series. This time, many Black and Latino players were part of the team. In the final game, Clemente stood at the plate. He watched the pitch fly toward him, and . . .

Crack!

He hit a home run. The Pirates went on to beat the Orioles 2-1. Clemente was named MVP.

After the game, TV reporters interviewed Clemente. He took the chance to talk to the world in Spanish.

“Before I say anything in English, I would like to say something for my mother and father in Spanish,” he said.

Clemente went on to tell them that it was the proudest day of his life.

Giving Back

vintage photo of Roberto Clemente demonstrating how to hold a bat in front young players

Courtesy of the Clemente Museum

A Life of Service
For many years, Clemente gave free baseball lessons to kids in Puerto Rico. It was just one of the many ways he used his fame, money, and talent to help others.

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.

The Story of 21

People remembered Clemente as a hero, both on and off the field. He became the first Latino player in baseball’s Hall of Fame. Hundreds of schools, hospitals, and parks were named in his honor. Each year, Major League Baseball hands out the Roberto Clemente Award. It celebrates players who give back to their communities.

Today, Clemente wouldn’t feel so alone in Major League Baseball. Latino athletes make up about 28 percent of all players. Once a year, Puerto Rican players wear Clemente’s number, 21, to honor him. “He represented all of us,” says Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets. “Now it’s our turn to represent him.”