Roberto Clemente Birthday

Roberto Clemente Birthday

Clemente was a four-time National League batting champion who helped the Pirates win the World Series in 1960 and 1971.

Clemente was N.L. MVP in 1966 when he hit .317 with 29 home runs and 119 RBI. In 1967, he won the batting title for the final time with a career-high .357.

The right fielder won 12 consecutive Gold Glove awards beginning in 1961.

Clemente was World Series MVP in 1971 when the Pirates beat defending champion Baltimore. His solo home run opened the scoring in the fourth inning of Game 7, which Pittsburgh won 2-1.

Clemente died in a plane crash Dec. 31, 1972, while on a humanitarian mission after an earthquake in Nicaragua. He became the first Latin American player inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Pirates have retired his No. 21 and there is a statue in his honor outside of PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

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