Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1973, four months after his death, Robert Clementer is inducted into the Hall of  Fame.

"He made the word 'superstar' seem inadequate. He had about him a touch of royalty." - Bowie Kuhn

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1973, the Pirates retire Roberto Clemente's uniform number 21.

"I wish I 'd thrown the ball as hard as he hit it." - Robin Roberts

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1973, Roberto Clemente is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"I want to be remembered as a player who gave all he had to give."

Roberto Clemente Jr.

On this date in 2005, Roberto Clemente Jr. heads to Nicaragua to distribute humanitarian aid in a trip that mirrors that taken by his father which claimed his life 33 years earlier.

"This time of year is difficult for me and the whole family. But I guess what you learn from this is that if you do good in life, you will be rewarded. And I believe that even though my father disappeared 21 years ago, people still respect the kind of man he was. That is very uplifting for me. So trying to do good in the community is something that makes me feel very good." (1994)

Roberto Clemente

 

On this date in 1972, Roberto Clemente dies in a plane crash while attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

"Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on earth."

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1966, Roberto Clemente is named the NL MVP after batting .317 with 29 home runs and 119 rbis.

"I will hit .450 if you give me Ralph Garr's legs, Johnny Bench's age, and you cut the travel schedule."

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1971, Roberto Clemente hits a home run in Game 7 of the World Series to give the Pirates a 2-1 win over the Orioles. Clemente is named the Series MVP after hitting .414.

"I'm convinced that God wanted me to be a ballplayer. I was born to play baseball."

Bill Mazeroski

On this date in 1972, Bill Mazeroski retires from baseball.

"Bill should play two or three more years. Tell him to get in shape. I know he can play better second than anybody. He is two years younger than me." - Roberto Clemente

"If I had his body, I would keep playing." - Bill Mazeroski

Roberto Clemente

Born on today's date, Roberto Clemente.

"Roberto Clemente could field a ball in New York and throw a guy out in Pennsylvania." - Vin Scully

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1973, Roberto Clemente is inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"If I would be happy, I would be a very bad ballplayer. With me, when I get mad, it puts energy in my body."

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1973, four months after his death, Roberto Clemente is inducted into the Hall of Fame in a special election.

"He made the word 'superstar' seem inadequate. He had about him a touch of royalty." - Bowie Kuhn

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1973, the Pirates retire Roberto Clemente's uniform number 21.

"We ordered Montreal to keep him under wraps any way they could. Up there, he was eligible for the baseball draft, and we didn't want to lose anybody as promising as this kid. At Montreal, to keep Clemente from looking too good, our manager, Max Macon, kept moving him in and out of the lineup. Poor Roberto! He'd strike out and Max would let him play the whole game. If he hit a home run, Max would get him out of there quick. He was benched one game because he hit three triples the day before. He was taken out for a pinch hitter with the bases loaded in the first inning of another game." - Dodgers GM Buzz Bavasi

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1973, Roberto Clemente is elected to the Hall of Fame.

"He looked like he was falling apart when he ran. Looked like he was coming apart when he threw. His stance at the plate was ridiculous. He looked less like a ballplayer than anyone I'd ever seen. It was a crazy thing. The only thing that made him look sensational was the results." - Robin Roberts

Sparky Anderson

Born on today's date, Sparky Anderson.

"Barbaro Garbey is another Roberto Clemente."

Because we're remembering Roberto today, that's why!

Roberto Clemente Jr.

On this date in 2005, Roberto Clemente Jr. heads to Nicaragua to distribute humanitarian aid in a trip that mirrors that taken by his father which claimed his life 33 years earlier.

"This time of year is difficult for me and the whole family. But I guess what you learn from this is that if you do good in life, you will be rewarded. And I believe that even though my father disappeared 21 years ago, people still respect the kind of man he was. That is very uplifting for me. So trying to do good in the community is something that makes me feel very good." (1994)

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1972, Roberto Clemente dies in a plane crash while attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

"Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on earth."

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1966, Roberto Clemente wins the NL MVP Award after batting .317 with 29 home runs and 119 rbis.

"I will hit .450 if you give me Ralph Garr's legs, Johnny Bench's age and cut the travel schedule."

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1971, Roberto Clemente hits a home run in Game 7 of the World Series to give the Pirates a 2-1 victory over the Orioles. Clemente is named the Series MVP after hitting .414.

"I am convinced that God wanted me to be a baseball player. I was born to play baseball."

Roberto Clemente

On this date in 1972, Roberto Clemente collects his 3000th hit.

"Ten hits in two games! When I was playing, that was my quota for the month." - Danny Murtaugh