4 things you didn’t know about baseball player Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente Day in MLB

Discrimination and Homage to Clemente

Jersey Number and Notable Achievements

Major League Baseball (MLB) decided some time ago that this past September 15th would be celebrated as Roberto Clemente Day.

Originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico, where he was born on August 18, 1934, ‘El Grande’ is a true icon in this sport.

In the U.S., he played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a right fielder for 18 seasons.

Unfortunately, he died on December 31, 1972, in a plane crash. He was on his way to provide aid to the earthquake victims in Managua.

He Suffered Discrimination Due to His Skin Color

Roberto Clemente Day / PHOTO: Getty Images

Before delving into the four things you didn’t know about the baseball player Roberto Clemente, it’s worth noting some of the situations he experienced.

First and foremost, the man also known as the ‘Comet of Carolina’ suffered discrimination due to his skin color.

One might think this only happened in the Major Leagues, but the reality is that he also faced it in society. The irony is that he was an American citizen.

Just last year, he was declared a National Hero by the Nicaraguan Assembly, not to mention the other tributes he received in other countries.

Before Playing for the Pirates, He Was with the Dodgers

PHOTO: AP

When you hear the name Roberto Clemente, baseball enthusiasts immediately picture him in the Pirates’ uniform.

However, before arriving in Pittsburgh, he passed through one of Major League Baseball’s most popular teams, the Dodgers.

Back then, this team was known as the Brooklyn Dodgers, who signed Clemente for their Triple-A team.

He was paid $5,000 plus a $10,000 bonus. Soon after, he made his way to the Pirates, the team of his dreams.

He Didn’t Always Wear the Number 21

Roberto Clemente Day / PHOTO: AP

Roberto Clemente is always associated with the number 21 because he played his entire career in the United States with Pittsburgh.

However, in his first month with the team, he wore the number 13 because his teammate Earl Smith had the number 21.

After five games, Smith was released by the team, allowing ‘El Grande’ to wear his favorite number.

He wore this number because his full name (without adding Enrique) had a total of 21 letters. His second surname was Walker.

Some of His Baseball Achievements

PHOTO: Shutterstock

In this part of the text, as the ‘third thing’ you didn’t know about Roberto Clemente, we share some of his baseball achievements.

First, we remember the time he hit the only inside-the-park grand slam for the Pirates to end a game. A historic moment.

Moreover, on July 11, 1961, he secured victory for the National League in the All-Star Game against the American League with a hit.

To his ‘misfortune,’ the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award had not yet been established that year, but he would likely have won it.

His Off-Field Philanthropic Work

Roberto Clemente Day / PHOTO: Shutterstock

According to the Séptima Entrada website, Roberto Clemente was a charitable human being off the field.

In both the United States and Puerto Rico, among other Hispanic countries, he carried out numerous charitable works.

As mentioned above, he died in a plane crash while en route to provide aid to the earthquake victims in Managua.

MLB also awards a prize in his name to the baseball player who distinguishes himself from his peers through social and humanitarian work.