Roberto Clemente Museum

Roberto (Walker) Clemente (August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He was a Major League Baseball right fielder who played 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 through 1972. He was a National League, Most Valuable Player once, All-Star twelve times (15 games), batting champion four times, and Gold Glove winner twelve times. In 1972, Clemente got his 3,000th major league hit. Clemente was involved in charity work in Puerto Rico and Latin American countries during the off seasons, often delivering baseball equipment and food to those in need. He died in an aviation accident on December 31, 1972, while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Clemente was inducted posthumously to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming the first Latin American to be enshrined. He was also one of only two Hall of Fame members for whom the mandatory five-year waiting period had been waived, the other being Lou Gehrig in 1939. Clemente is the first Latino player to win a World Series as a starter (1960), to receive an MVP Award (1966), and to receive a World Series MVP Award (1971).The Clemente Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of “The Great One,” as his fans affectionately called him. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Clemente in 1954 and he rose to become the greatest baseball player of his time. During this period, the struggle for social justice had reached every part of our country, and every ballpark.  He and many other athletes had to bear the burdens of racial and cultural prejudices, no matter what their abilities were on the field. Additionally, Clemente dealt with language barriers, which lead to the media making a mockery of his intelligence. He faced those burdens with dignity, pride and an enduring empathy for those less fortunate. As for his critics, he simply silenced them with his amazing bat and miraculous arm. Through the exhibit of photographs and artifacts, and outreach to our community, The Clemente Museum works to fulfill our mission of honoring Roberto Clemente’s memory and promote the good deeds he accomplished in his all too short life. He dedicated his 3000th hit to the Pittsburgh fans and the people of Puerto Rico. We are honored to be a part of Pittsburgh’s dedication to him. Some will come to remember. Some will come to learn. All will leave inspired. We welcome you. For more information please visit ClementeMuseum.com