FLUSHING, NY — The Great One. Roberto Clemente. The first Latin American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
The epitome of baseball going beyond a sport.
An individual who impacted and touched the lives of so many, including generations long after his tragic passing on New Years Eve, December 31, 1972.
On that night at the age of 38—Clemente lost his life in a plane crash while traveling from Puerto Rico to Nicaragua with relief supplies and plans to help those directly affected by a recent earthquake—leaving his home island and the sports world devastated.
On September 30, 1972, Roberto Clemente penned his name into baseball’s history books one last time when he collected his 3,000th hit.
He became the first Latino player to reach that milestone, and it was the final hit of his career.
Roberto died tragically three months later… pic.twitter.com/H5DUyo5BbW
— MLB (@MLB) September 15, 2026
So much life was left to live for The Great One and each day he walked this earth, he made it be known to others: don’t waste it.
“Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth.”
On Tuesday, September 15th, Roberto Clemente Day, Major League Baseball and all 30 of its clubs paid homage to The Great One’s legacy, and humanitarian work with tributes pouring in ballparks across the nation.
As each team’s uniforms featured a universal No. 21 patch, players, managers and coaches were given the option by MLB to don Clemente’s No. 21 on the front and back of their jerseys. Except the Pirates, the club for which Roberto played his entire Hall of Fame career, as each uniformed team member of Pittsburgh wore Roberto’s “21” on their jerseys—an annual tradition for the Pirates on Roberto Clemente Day.
And many players, American and National leaguewide, took it a step further by taking the field with customized equipment centered towards recognizing Clemente.
A memorable night of tributes to The Great One 🖤💛 #ClementeDay pic.twitter.com/b6A5gZR19J
— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2026
Like Mets superstar shortstop and two-time LatinoMVP Award winner Francisco Lindor, who looks forward to Roberto Clemente Day each season, the opportunity to wear No. 21 and throw on gear honoring one of his role models.
“It’s really special because it was his number. It was part of his legacy, but also a number that my dad liked. So, it’s a little double meaning,” Lindor told Latino Sports Tuesday afternoon at Citi Field.
“My favorite player was Roberto Alomar and my dad wore 21. You flip the number and it’s 12. You represent my dad, represent Clemente, and represent the people that helped me shape who I am.”
Two-time LatinoMVP Francisco Lindor rounding first base on Roberto Clemente Day (September 15th, 2023) – Image Credit: Maz Adams/Latino Sports
For Lindor’s fellow Mets superstar teammate Juan Soto, a three-time LatinoMVP Award winner, he said:
“It’s huge for the game and for the Latin community for us to wear the number 21, representing Roberto Clemente, a guy who did a lot for this game. Not only for this game but for his whole community. I think it’s huge for all of us.”
And Mets third baseman Bo Bichette, a two-time All-Star, agrees, stating, “It’s great. Not only was he a great player, but he did a lot for the game and the people that meant a lot to him. It’s a special day for all of us.”
Lindor, 32, of Caguas, Puerto Rico.
Soto, 27, of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Bichette, 28, of St. Petersburg, Florida.
When Roberto Clemente spoke in Spanish during a national TV interview after winning the 1971 World Series, it resonated with Latinos everywhere.
It is considered by many as an iconic moment, as important as any other in Clemente’s legendary career. #ClementeDay pic.twitter.com/qeMUFhNcBQ
— MLB (@MLB) September 15, 2026
We are approaching 54 years since Clemente had left this world too early but that has not stopped Lindor, Soto, and Bichette, amongst many stars around baseball and sports from all different backgrounds to idolize and attempt to replicate The Great One’s way of life and work on and off the diamond.
“There’s a lot of highlights, the most impressive one is that he actually has 3,000 hits. It’s really hard to do that,” Soto said of No. 21’s talent and skillset, noting there is no matching Clemente’s impact off the field though he and his peers will proceed to try.
“He left this world before his time, but, you know, it’s one of the most impressive things I’ve seen. How he played the game and how good he was too. And how his whole life and everything came around to the number 21.”
Five Mets wore Roberto Clemente’s No. 21 Tuesday night in Queens on Roberto Clemente Day: Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and bullpen coach José Rosado – Image Credit: Joel Rodriguez/Latino Sports
This could finally be the year the Roberto Clemente Award comes around to Lindor, the Mets’ 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominee, marking his fourth consecutive season of being recognized as the franchise’s nominee.
“It’s a blessing whenever my name is mentioned near him,” Lindor said. “I’m just happy to be playing this game and represent Puerto Rico, represent the Clemente family, and represent my family.”
On the chance of winning this year’s Roberto Clemente Award:
“It’d be a dream. He’s an idol of mine, and players that have won it are people I look up to. So it would be fantastic. It would be a dream. Hopefully this is the year.”
Francisco Lindor was recognized prior to tonight’s game for being named the @mets’ 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominee, the fourth consecutive year where Lindor has earned the honor
Visit https://t.co/rMmlz12RCz #LGM #MLB #Mets #ClementeDay #RobertoClementeAward pic.twitter.com/rSNjBAs0Yp
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) September 15, 2026
Over his first two years as as a Met, Soto’s witnessed Lindor’s consistent involvement in the community such as he and New Balance launching Lindor’s Leaders, a year-long leadership development program for students in Bayside High School’s Sports Medicine Program as well as Lindor partnering with Dairy Queen and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in support of Miracle Treat Day, which helps raise critical funds for local children’s hospitals.
“I think it’s great for him to be nominated that way,” Soto said of the recognition for Lindor. “He’s been the guy who’s been doing a lot of stuff for the community and everything and it’s well deserved for him.”
Fans can vote for Lindor to win the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award by visiting the community and social responsibility platform of Major League Baseball, MLB Together.
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