Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente collage (robertoclementesoftballleague.com/)

Many famous baseball players are only that, a baseball player, but there are those that are different. These players are people first and players second. They help others and join the community, giving to the needy, and not just doing what they can, but going out of their way to help those that need the help. One player of this prestigious category is recognized every year with the Roberto Clemente Award. Given to the player who best contributes to the community and his team, this award symbolizes greatness. Roberto Clemente, whom the award is named after, showed the true values of a hero through hard work and helping others.

Roberto Clemente Award (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Clemente_Award)

Roberto Clemente, the last of many children to Melchor and Luisa Clemente, while growing up in Carolina Puerto Rico, was taught values such as hard work, honesty, generosity, and respect. As a child he found the love for baseball, and at the age of eighteen traveled to a tryout camp where the Brooklyn Dodgers signed him. Even though he signed with the Dodgers he spent his entire career with the Pittsburg Pirates. He became one of the greatest outfielders and humanitarians of all time.

Whether it was on the field or off, Roberto Clemente always stood up for his and other Hispanics’ rights. “Clemente was our Jackie Robinson” said Puerto Rican journalist Luis Mayoral. Clemente and other Hispanics suffered from discrimination and he would not stand for it. Just as Jackie Robinson crossed the color barrier Roberto Clemente spoke out about the treatment and generalizations made about and against Hispanics. He believed that, “because of the language barrier, he and other Hispanic players did not receive the recognition or respect they deserved. Clemente promoted Hispanic pride” (Clemente, Roberto. UXL Biographies). He stood up for his people using his influence to help them. The language barrier hindered people from understanding them, so as a result he felt that they were being discriminated. He would not rest until he believed that he and others were treated fairly.

Not only did Roberto Clemente stand up against unjust treatment, he also became an amazing player who did outstanding things to help the needy. “In addition to donating money received from making endorsements in Spanish countries to charities. Clemente dreamed of opening a Puerto Rico sports camp open only to the very poor, free of charge” (Clemente, Roberto. DISCovering Biography). He dedicated so much to helping others that he looked past the fact that he would not receive any money and looked straight to the fact that he was helping the underprivileged. He gave his own hard earned money to help these people. In addition to helping them, he became an idol to the young children who watched him play.

Roberto Clemente helping the community (www.robertoclemente.si.edu/english/virtual_le...)

As a right-fielder for the Pittsburg Pirates from 1955 to 1972, he won four National League batting titles, twelve Golden Glove awards, and was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1966. Roberto Clemente was a great player who contributed a lot to his team and worked hard to get there. To become such an amazing player, he had to work hard and train even when he was tired or discouraged. He became an inspiration to all ballplayers, young or old, because he stood out from the crowd. He stood out because his actions reflected the values taught to him as a child.

Roberto Clemente’s values showed in everything he did, inspiring others both on and off the field. “While helping to load supplies Clemente learned that Nicaraguan soldiers were stealing supplies and selling them to earthquake victims. Aware of his fame throughout Latin America, he quickly boarded a plane: ‘If I go to Nicaragua, the stealing will stop,’ he said, according to Kahn. ‘They would not dare steal from Roberto Clemente.’” (Clemente, Roberto. DISCovering Biography). He risked doing the right thing and ended up dying when the cargo plane crashed into the ocean. He did not have to, but he believed that it was his responsibility to make it right. Before his death he had his last hit, his 3000th, a mark that only ten had reached before him. His legacy had become so great that the 5- year rule was waived and he was elected into the Hall of Fame immediately. Roberto Clemente became an inspiration and hero to all, speaking out against racism and sending aid to the needy, with the true values of a hero shining through him and his legacy.