We were told to pick a person either from the past or in the present that made a significant difference in the lives of other people. That is why I chose baseball legend Roberto Clemente. He is considered a heroic figure to many not just because of his tremendous baseball skills, but by the true man behind the glove. He was raised to be a humble, considerate and upright man. Playing and getting paid wasn’t his goal he wanted others to enjoy his success as much as he was but in a good manner that is why I believe Paul Gallico stated the following quote about Clemente, “To achieve deeds of heroic dimension a person needs to have qualities of heroic dimension such as self sacrifice, perseverance, and going beyond the normal”. You would think he had a great career and he did but there were many “hidden doors” throughout this time including racial remarks and criticism Clemente put it behind him and kept it in silence but at times it did take a toll on him. Although today he is not present Roberto falls into the criteria and main point of this research assignment which is the recognition that one individual can make a difference in the lives of many.
Roberto Clemente Walker was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico on August 18th, 1954. He is the son of Luisa Walker and Melchor Clemente and the youngest of seven siblings. His father worked as a foreman in the crops within the municipality meaning the city’s sugar cane crops. And his mother was a stay at home mom. Roberto had to work in order to help support his family due to the family’s economic instability, by delivering milk to neighbors. As a kid he showed much interest in baseball. He and his friends played in nearby towns because at the time there were no high school baseball teams. Until his freshmen year at La escuela superior Vizcarondo Roberto got recruited by Roberto Marin to play as short stop on his recreational team called el Sello Rojo. A few years later he wanted more, he wanted to take his love of the game to a higher level so he joined an amateur league known as the Ferdinand league of Juncos. That league was like a Babe Ruth league but it was played including every city in Puerto Rico. Here began his journey to becoming a Major league Baseball Player.
At the tender age of seventeen, Clemente found himself playing for the Cangrejeros de Santurce (big leagues of Puerto Rico). Tons of scouts from the Big leagues would go observe his marvelous fielding, throwing and batting capabilities. His first Major league deal was with the Brooklyn Dodgers the same year they moved to Los Angeles. It was a one year ten thousand dollar contract but never played a single game. The following year in 1955 he was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in which all his success came forth. His rookie season he put up a .255 batting average with five homeruns and forty seven Runs Batted In, which isn’t too bad of a season but it, was his worst. He improved his batting average his next upcoming seasons. His second year in the bigs he batted .311 and hit above .300 the rest of his career. In his major league career he got over two hundred hits four times in 61,64,66,67, he also hit over .350 three times in his career also winning twelve consecutive gold gloves and leading the majors in batting average four times in his career. He also won two championships with the pirates in 1960, and again in 71.No other player has ever dominated a decade like Roberto Clemente in the 60’s.
But all things weren’t a piece of cake for him. He often dealt with racism day in and day out. Like in the year of 1960 when he helped the pirates win their first world series in 33 years, he put up some great numbers that year and a great series performance and still finished eighth in the national league MVP balloting. Many Hispanic players as many of them weren’t fluent in English would get it from the media as they spoke with an accent. The media would say things like “he speaks funny” that lead for players like Clemente to regard the press warily. He once screamed “The more I stay away from writers, the better I am, you know why? Because they are trying to create a bad image for me because I am black and Puertorican.” Other times he would say “You guys never give me credit.”
Not only was Clemente known for his ethnicity but also for his notable charity work. Many stated he was a greater person off the field. Many of his work were focused toward bettering the lives of others. He wanted others from his hometown to realize they could also be where he was currently at if they were determined. His last and well known work was a planned trip over to Nicaragua which was in horrific conditions due to an earthquake. His trip was planned for December 31, 1972, little did many know it would be the last time they saw Roberto. The plane seemed to be too loaded and not too long after takeoff on the coast of San Juan the plane full of supplies and food crashed down. Rescuers immediately did everything they could to save the men aboard but Roberto Clemente’s body was never recovered and five were dead. He died with a desire to help countries in desperate need. A meeting was held soon after the news spread of this tragedy and the five year wait was waived and Roberto Clemente became a part of the Hall of Fame. He finally got the credit he use to mention he deserved.
Although the nation lost a hero and family and friends were left in shock today there are many awards and youth groups which help keep the memory of Roberto alive. Every year each team selects a nominee for a player that excels on the field and in the community it is known as the Roberto Clemente Award. The winner gets a 2,500 donation to any charity of their choice. There is also a stadium dedicated to Clemente it is El Estadio Roberto Clemente Walker located in his hometown Carolina, Puerto Rico. They also run life skill workshops for youth around the city to exemplify Roberto’s values and determination both on and off the field these include, Leadership, perseverance and how crucial it is to give back to the community. Like Edgar Martinez stated “It is about making a contribution off the field instead of on the field”. Roberto Clemente has become a nation’s lost hero and yet continues to have honorable mention showing how this little town kid made a difference for doing what he was taught to do best which was to do the right thing in life no matter what and never forget your roots and where you came from.
