Roberto Clemente Walker

The hero I chose is Roberto Clemente. He was born in 1934 in Puerto Rico. He was a professional baseball player who played in the MLB for 17 years until he died in a plane crash. He was a 15 time all-star, 12 time gold glove winner, one time MVP, and a 4 time NL batting champ. A year after his death he was inducted into the baseball hall of fame, getting 92.7% of the votes to get in.

Growing up in Puerto Rico, he was the youngest of 7 kids. He grew up working alongside his dad picking sugar crops. He loved baseball in his young life, often playing exhibition games against other villages and neighborhoods. In his first year of high school he was recruited to play softball and played as their shortstop for 2 years.

He then played in the Puerto Rico baseball league for 2 years, starting from when he was 17. While in this league he was scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was signed by them and played in their minor league system. The Pirates then drafted him that following summer. He played in the MLB that season. While facing discrimination for being Latino, he fought through it and almost ignored it. He was one of the first and greatest colored athletes.

In 1960, he broke out. He bat .353 in the first 30 games, and was named to both all-star teams (At this time there were two in a season). He was an all- star the rest of his career, and a gold glove winner every year after 1961. He has exactly 3,000 hits, which is a prestigious mark for any baseball player.

Poster Art by Stewart

Other than baseball, in the off-season, Roberto did charity work, and even one year was a marine. In 1958-1959 for six months in the winter he was a marine. His last year as an MLB player, he was in Managua, Nicaragua, during the massive earthquake that happened that year. Clemente immediately found 4 emergency flights to escort people to Puerto Rico. The fourth flight, which he was on, had mechanical problems and crashed miles before the Puerto Rican coast. He died at the age of 38 near his home.

Later that year he was entered in the hall of fame early because of his death, and got 92% of the votes. From his death on the MLB created the Roberto Clemente award, which is awarded to a baseball player with outstanding skills, but also did work in the community. His number, 21, was later retired by the pirates.

He is a hero to me because he strived at a sport he loved, despite the struggle, and did not forget where he came from. He died saving his fellow Puerto Ricans. He is a great example of perseverance and selflessness, and is a great figure in racial and baseball history. He is one of the most memorable players, and should never be forgotten.