What is Roberto Clemente?
1.
One of baseball's greatest true heros and the first Hispanic American inducted into the Hall of Fame. Elected posthumously in 1973 -- the only exception to the mandatory five-year post-retirement waiting period since it was instituted in 1954.
Born in Barrio San Anton in Carolina, Puerto Rico, August 18, 1934. Played right field 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1955-1972. One of only four MLB players to have won 10 or more golden gloves titles (he had 12) and a .300+ lifetime batting average. Led the Pirates to two World Series victories (1960 and 1971).
Spent much of his time during the off-season in charity work. He would always make it a point to visit children's hospitals in the cities he played in. Died in a plane crash off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico on December 31, 1972 while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
They don't make 'em like Roberto Clemente anymore.
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