LOS ANGELES, CA — Every year, beginning on December 10, we celebrate 21 days of Roberto Clemente because it was his number. Clemente wore the number 21 because his full name, Roberto Clemente Walker, had that many letters. Here are some more interesting facts about this giant of a man.
At Julio Vizcarrondo High School in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he was a track and field star, where he threw the javelin and took part in the high jump. He was considered good enough to be part of the Puerto Rico Olympic team. He later stated that throwing the javelin helped strengthen his arm, footwork, and release. But baseball was in his blood, and even with his all-around athletic skill, Clemente decided to focus on baseball and joined Puerto Rico’s amateur league, playing for the Ferdinand Juncos team, which represented the municipality of Juncos.
Image Credit: ClementeMuseum.com
His professional career began at age 18 on October 9, 1952, when he accepted a contract from Pedrín Zorrilla with Cangrejeros de Santurce, a winter league team and franchise in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League (LBPPR). Brooklyn Dodgers scout Al Campanis saw Clemente’s skills, immediately recognized a super talent, and signed Roberto in 1954. Unfortunately, the Dodgers could not protect him in the ‘Rule 5’ draft, and the Pirates swooped him up for $4,000.
On July 25, 1956, at Forbes Field, with the Pirates behind by three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Clemente hit a bases-clearing inside-the-park home run. It was the first and only time in modern Major League baseball history (since 1900) that a player hit a documented walk-off, inside-the-park grand slam.
In the 1960 and 1971 World Series, Clemente hit safely in all seven games and was named the MVP in the 1971 Series.
He also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from September 1958 until September 1964. Roberto Clemente would have been 90 years old today. 52 years have passed since he was taken from us, and we can only imagine what amazing things he would have done for the people of the world over the past 52 years.
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Mildred Martinez
December 17, 2024 at 5:26 pm
God’s Blessings ❤️💨Forwarded to the future legacies of Puerto Rican and Latinos🙏🏼 🙌🏼🙏🏼
“¡Si se puede! As we celebrate 21 days of Roberto Clemente’s legacy, let’s honor his memory by empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Clemente’s selflessness, perseverance, and passion for his community are qualities that we should strive to instill in our future generations.
As we look to the future, let’s hold hands 🤝, lift each other up, and promote the best of our Latino culture. From the 32 Latin states, countries, and territories, let’s celebrate our diversity and unity.
Roberto Clemente’s legacy is a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference. Let’s continue to inspire and uplift each other, just as Clemente inspired us with his remarkable life and career.
¡Palante, Puerto Rico 🙌🏼🇵🇷! ¡Palante, Latinos Unido!”