By Manuel Polanco
Humanitarian, activist, and MLB hall of famer Roberto Clemente was the first Caribbean player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF), and thus immortalized forever. Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico in 1934, Clemente would embark on a life full of achievements and glory.
A four time batting title champ, 12 Gold Glove Award winner, 15 time all-star, and a two-time world series champ; it’s no secret why many Puerto Rican baseball players look up to him. He was honored by the Puerto Rican government, who named two stadiums after him: El Coliseo Roberto Clemente and Estadio Clemente. Clemente was also dubbed a national hero by the Puerto Rican government, bestowing him the title of prócer.
What made Clemente special is that he, like many other POC baseball players of his time, played during an era of segregation and racism. Being an Afro-Latino player, he still faced discrimination, but through his activism fought for racial equality and better treatment of Latin American baseball players.
“The racism extended to the names the sportswriters used to identify him. They called him Bobby or Bob, instead of his preferred name, Roberto. Baseball card companies and other merchandisers followed suit even through the end of his career […] Sportswriters also made fun of his accent, quoted him in broken English, and paid little attention to his powerful intellect and social conscience. He knew little English when he joined the majors, and naturally spoke with a Spanish accent,” according to the Society for American Baseball Research.
MLB awards out the Roberto Clemente Award to players who showcase philanthropic and humanitarian values on and off the field. This honors Clemente’s legacy as a humanitarian, while also promoting the humanitarian efforts the players made. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was nominated last season for the award, and as a Puerto Rican native, this honor meant a lot to him.
“I love education. I love helping baseball players and helping softball girls in Puerto Rico, stuff like that. It means the world to me to be able to help,” Lindor stated according to Mets reporter Anthony DiComo. “Also, to help parents have a little financial freedom when it comes to getting a scholarship so they can go and pay for their education. To me, it’s amazing.”
After Nicaragua was devastated by an earthquake in 1972, Clemente boarded a plane full of aid and would make his final voyage to the country to help those devastated. Unfortunately, the plane would go down due to an engine failure. At just 38 years, old Roberto Clemente had passed away doing what he loved, helping those in need.
The Boricua icon would be inducted into the HOF on Mar. 20, 1973 and would forever etch his name in baseball history. Clemente will always remain a hero and inspiration to the Puerto Rican people.