More than 50 years after the passing of Pittsburgh Pirates’ Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, his spirit is still being felt throughout the Major League Baseball (MLB) community, thanks in part to his two sons—Roberto Jr. and Luis.
On a steamy Saturday night in Southwest Florida, at the site of the Pirates’ spring training ballpark, The Roberto Clemente Foundation is well represented. Just beyond the main gate of LECOM Park, used throughout the spring and summer by the organization’s Single-A affiliate in the Florida State League, a tent houses a table and two chairs. Shaded by the blinding sun rays that are all too familiar this time of year, shortly, the Clemente brothers will appear. Just before the gate swings open for a night of minor league baseball, with the home team Bradenton Marauders hosting the Philadelphia Phillies’ FSL club—the Clearwater Threshers, Roberto Jr. and Luis make their way through the ballpark’s concourse and get seated.
Memories of his childhood, when joining his parents and Luis for six weeks each season of spring training, come rushing back to Roberto Jr.
“It feels like home (Bradenton). I fell in love with this place when I was a kid, and dad was alive. I went to Manatee Junior College here in the 1980s. My dad was with the Pirates for so many years (18 seasons), people I meet want to share their emotional connection with my father. Usually, tears are coming down their face.”
With Roberto Jr. flying into this appearance on behalf of the foundation of his father’s namesake from Pittsburgh, and Luis from his home in Puerto Rico, the birthplace of his father, they have spent the day spreading good cheer to some of the youngest baseball players in the community. Roberto Jr. and Luis will leave for the next stop on their continuous goodwill tour having left the game with a brighter future.
The Foundation was in full giving mode during their stop in Bradenton. On the same field that the current National League Pirates use for Grapefruit League games each March, and in the very same right field area that Clemente patrolled until his final spring of 1972, a kids baseball clinic was offered.
After meeting well-wishers of all ages at the Foundation’s tent, and signing autographs, followed by each throwing out the ceremonial first pitches of the night’s game, the visit from Roberto Jr. and Luis wasn’t complete. The brothers were requested to remain on the infield grass, as they graciously accepted a monetary donation for the Foundation.
This scenario is repeated throughout baseball summers, at fundraisers beyond stadiums, too.
The compassion and competitiveness displayed by Clemente during his celebrated seasons in Pittsburgh remain fresh at MLB Headquarters. What the popular Puerto Rican stood for was elevated years back as the Roberto Clemente Award was established. Annually, a player that best represents baseball through community involvement, extraordinary character, and, in general, making positive changes on and off the field is chosen as the final winner. Each MLB club nominates their representative.
New York Yankees’ outfielder Aaron Judge was the 2023 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award.
No community is too small, no League too close to rookie ball, the Foundation listens to all requests. This is what Roberto Clement stood for. The average kid in a sandlot; little leaguers, and organized ball staged in cities and suburbs all getting to enjoy the innocence of baseball. The effort of helping out neighbors and strangers is what the Hall of Famer thrived at, when not stationed at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium.
Ultimately, doing for others, at his own peril, cost “The Great One” his life.
On Dec. 31, 1972, Clemente boarded a DC-7 plane bound for Nicaragua. The plane was carrying relief supplies for the people of Managua, Nicaragua’s capital city, which had recently been devastated by an earthquake. Clemente wanted to accompany the supplies on the flight to ensure those most in need were actually receiving what they needed. Shortly after takeoff in Puerto Rico, the plane crashed into the ocean. All five people on board were killed. Clement’s body was never recovered.
While assisting communities they probably haven’t visited before and may never be called back to, Roberto Jr. and Luis see it as their calling to do what is possible on their end to create happy futures, and spread all the good that surrounds playing baseball.
“Dad was a healer,” said Roberto Jr. as he passed a picture of his father in his U.S. Marine Corps uniform to a young boy wearing a special Marauders’ jersey given out that night. “The endless stories the fans tell my brother and me about when they met our father or an autograph they got, they feel special. Letting us know how much our father affected their lives brings peace to them.”
As a break comes about from well-wishers wanting a selfie with the Clementes, Roberto Jr., 58, gazes at the grandstand, and is getting a peek at the playing surface of LECOM Park. Memories of his childhood come rushing back. Teammates of his dad, Al Oliver, Jose Pagan, Richie Hebner, and Vic Davalillo are the first who come to mind. These players were his friends and unofficial babysitters.
Although Roberto Jr. and Luis were young when their dad perished, the endless reminders of him by fans doesn’t make them melancholy. Such appreciation by strangers of “The Great One” only recharges their philanthropic batteries. With the passing of their mother, Vera Clemente, in 2019, Roberto Jr. and Luis, 57, continue to carry the legacy of their dad with gusto. In 2003, Roberto Clemente was awarded posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
