Roberto Clemente

baseball · Puerto Rico · hero · history

Amazing baseball star. Roberto Clemente played 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was one of the greatest right fielders in baseball history. He earned the nickname 'the Great One' because of his incredible talent and skill.

Helped others first. On December 31, 1972, Clemente died in a plane crash while flying to Nicaragua to deliver emergency supplies to people affected by a devastating earthquake. He was on a mission to help people in need.

Changed the rules. After Clemente's death, the Baseball Hall of Fame changed its rules so players who had been gone for at least six months could be considered for entry. In 1973, he became the first Latino and Caribbean player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Puerto Rican pride. Clemente was proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and used his fame to help his community and inspire young people in Latin America and the Caribbean.