Roberto Walker Clemente

Roberto Walker Clemente Born San Antón, Carolina August 18th, 1934 Father Melchor Clemente Mother Luisa Walker 17 yrs old Track & field Santurce Crabber

Roberto Walker Clemente first baseball contract $10,000 February 19th, 1954 Clemente debuts Against Brooklyn Dodgers Drafted Clemente $4,000 November 22nd, 1954 April 17th, 1955

Roberto Walker Clemente Vera Zabala Roberto Clemente Roberto Jr. Luis Roberto Enrique Roberto November 14th, 1964

Roberto Walker Clemente His 18 years Baseball Career 200 hits in 1961, 1964, 1966, and 1967 Batted over .350 in 1961, 1967, 1970 Silver Bat for 4 National League batting tittles 1961, 1964, 1965, 1967 Twelve Gold Glove - 1961 - 1972 1966 – National League Most Valuable Player 1971 – World Series Most Valuable Player 15 All-Star Games Lifetime batting average: .317 1972 – final at bat - make his 3,000 hit – double 1973 – Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame After first 2 seasons… Clemente batted over .300 for the next 13 seasons September 30th, 1972

Roberto Walker Clemente 1960 World Series 1971 World Series vs vs The Pittsburg Pirates win the series in 7 games The Pittsburg Pirates win the series in 7 games Roberto Clemente had a base hit on each game

Roberto Walker Clemente December 31st, 1972 Problems with the plane Was not maintained Over cargo – too much weight NOT adequate personnel co-pilot – lack of certification NO flight engineer airplane in accident weeks before mechanical failure Diver finds debris Earthquake on December 23rd, 1972 Roberto Clemente’s body was never found!

Roberto Walker Clemente Baseball Writers' Association of America held a special election waived 5 year waiting period March 30th, 1973 Roberto Clemente Day (2002) September 18th player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.

Roberto Walker Clemente Facts We May Not Know About Roberto Clemente Clemente enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve after the 1958 season Played his first professional game ironically against the Brooklyn Dodgers Pirates center fielder Earl Smith wore No. 21 until he parted ways with the team in April 1955. Clemente wore No. 13 until then Clemente adamantly rejected the name Bob and repeatedly insisted he be called Roberto. On July 25, 1956, he became the only player ever to hit a walk-off inside-the-park grand slam. He did it in a 9-8 win over the Cubs at Forbes field. Clemente was the first and only Hall of Fame member for whom the mandatory five-year waiting period was waived. He was elected posthumously in 1973

Roberto Walker Clemente Facts We May Not Know About Roberto Clemente The four-engine DC-7 plane he chartered for a flight on New Year's Eve reportedly had a history of mechanical problems and was overloaded by 4,200 pounds. In 1973, Clemente received the Presidential Citizen Medal by President Nixon In 2003, he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush Pittsburg Pirates retired number 21 in 1973 The right field wall at PNC Park is 21-feet high in honor of Clemente’s normal fielding position and uniform number. Clemente was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in for his humanitarian efforts following his death Clemente wanted number 21 for 2 main reasons… it was half the number of Jackie Robinson number of letter in his name

Roberto Walker Clemente