OT: Roberto Clemente

[Bigpetunia]

Today would have been the 81st birthday of the immortal Puerto Rican superstar and legendary credit to the human race off the field. For those of you old enough to have seen him play, nothing more need be said. For my fellow Boneyarders who never had that opportunity, all I can say is that you missed out on a lot. The stat lines speak for themselves, but no baserunner in the history of the game feared the arm of an outfielder like his contemporaries feared his. RIP, Roberto...and thanks for the memories!

 

[EEich]

Growing up in Pennsylvania, even though I was/am a Phillies fan, Roberto was my favorite player.
An amazing combination of power and speed. His career batting average was .317, and man... what an arm.
I cried the day I heard his plane went down. I'll never forget that he gave his life helping others.

 

[Citrusdog]

I watched him play in the 60's and early 70's as a Mets fan on Long Island - until that fateful day. Without looking.. who remembers what # Clemente wore? Stargell wore #8, Dave Cash #30, Many Sanguillen (sp?) #35, Bob Robertson... Al Oliver....

 

[Sonny44]

America, not just sports, could use a few more like him.

 

[Kibitzer]

I watched him play in the 60's and early 70's as a Mets fan on Long Island - until that fateful day. Without looking.. who remembers what # Clemente wore? Stargell wore #8, Dave Cash #30, Many Sanguillen (sp?) #35, Bob Robertson... Al Oliver....

#21!

Every Yinzer knows that!

 

[stamfordhusky]

#21!

Every Yinzer knows that!

The right field wall at PNC Park - which is the best baseball stadium in the country - is 21 feet tall in his honor. No one had a better arm than Roberto. Also he played in an era completely dominated by pitching, so that .317 lifetime average was a lot more impressive than it appears. The overall MLB batting average during his career was in the .240's.

He also played most of his career in the park, Forbes Field, that had the deepest overall outfield dimensions in all of baseball. It was 365 feet down the LF line, with a high scoreboard to carry; 406 feet to the deeper LF power alley, and 457 feet to CF.

 

[mrmojack]

Always remember listening to Bob Prince on KDKA Pittsburgh on the radio back
in the late 50's early 60's. Roberto Clemente was a great player on those teams.
I also remember listening Harvey Haddix pitching a 12 inning perfect game only
to lose it on an error in the 13th.

 

[stamfordhusky]

Always remember listening to Bob Prince on KDKA Pittsburgh on the radio back
in the late 50's early 60's. Roberto Clemente was a great player on those teams.
I also remember listening Harvey Haddix pitching a 12 inning perfect game only
to lose it on an error in the 13th.

One interesting thing about that game is that following the error, a sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk to Hank Aaron, then Joe Adcock hit what appeared to be a game-winning 3-run HR. However Aaron stopped running to celebrate, Adcock passed him on the basepaths, and the HR was turned into a double. Final score 1-0.

As a Pirates fan, the one thing I won't forget about that game is that Roman Mejias, who was starting in RF in place of Clemente, made a colossal base running gaffe early in the game that, all else being equal, cost them a run and cost Haddix a 9-inning perfect game win. Mejias tried to go from 1st to 3rd on a misplayed sacrifice bunt but was gunned down fairly easily. The next batter delivered a hit to right center that would have easily scored him.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Back in 1963, there was an afternoon game at the Polo Grounds between the Mets and Pirates at which I sat in general admission down the right field line as opposed to my usual spot in left field. Except for when the Dodgers and Giants came to town, general admission was on the first level first come first served, so, arriving early, my seat was right against the right field wall. Duke Snider started in right for the Mets, Roberto Clemente for the Pirates. There was a play during the game, for which my seat provided the perfect view, when Al Jackson of the Mets was running to third base on a ball hit to to right field and had already started his slide into third before Clemente released the ball, a bullet (I am going to guess that Bob Bailey was the third baseman) that nailed Jackson at third base. Yes, it sounds unbelievable, but this is exactly how I recall it.
Roberto Clemente had a tremendous arm and a very unorthodox swing that was very effective. Great ballplayer, outstanding human being. I believe it was New Years Day 1973 when his plane went down. He had just collected his 3000th hit in his last game and was elected to the Hall of Fame without waiting the mandatory five years.

Some other Pirates I clearly remember from those days were Smoky Burgess, Bob Veale, Don Clendenon, Elroy Face.

 

[Frodo]

The right field wall at PNC Park - which is the best baseball stadium in the country - is 21 feet tall in his honor. No one had a better arm than Roberto. Also he played in an era completely dominated by pitching, so that .317 lifetime average was a lot more impressive than it appears. The overall MLB batting average during his career was in the .240's.

He also played most of his career in the park, Forbes Field, that had the deepest overall outfield dimensions in all of baseball. It was 365 feet down the LF line, with a high scoreboard to carry; 406 feet to the deeper LF power alley, and 457 feet to CF.

I'm told that I saw my first major league game in Forbes Field, though I was apparently too young to remember it.

 

[Frodo]

One interesting thing about that game is that following the error, a sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk to Hank Aaron, then Joe Adcock hit what appeared to be a game-winning 3-run HR. However Aaron stopped running to celebrate, Adcock passed him on the basepaths, and the HR was turned into a double. Final score 1-0.

As a Pirates fan, the one thing I won't forget about that game is that Roman Mejias, who was starting in RF in place of Clemente, made a colossal base running gaffe early in the game that, all else being equal, cost them a run and cost Haddix a 9-inning perfect game win. Mejias tried to go from 1st to 3rd on a misplayed sacrifice bunt but was gunned down fairly easily. The next batter delivered a hit to right center that would have easily scored him.

As a kid in the 50's and 60's I was a Pirates fan as well as a Yankee fan. I had a small portable radio that I would tuck under my pillow to muffle the static and listen to the Pirates on KDKA and the inimitable Prince and his sidekick Jim Woods. The games would fade in and out as the signal to Western Mass. wasn't great, but I remember the Haddix perfect game well...when Don Hoak, Pirates third baseman, made the error in the 13th it was just like a punch in the stomach. One of the things I remember most about the game was the Milwaukee Braves crowd. By the time the game got to the 10th inning I think there were more fans cheering for Haddix than for the home team.

Iron City Beer
"we need a bloop and a blast"

 

[PalPa]

I am fortunate to have seen Roberto play at Forbes Field a few times. He did have a great arm, early in his career he throw out quite a few base runners, then opposing players stopped trying to take the extra base. He did make some throwing errors though, once he threw the ball from the right field corner over the third baseman's head into the stands about three rows deep. The Cubs great Ernie Banks once said he figured out Roberto's hitting style, "a swing with one foot off the ground is a double, a swing with both feet off the ground is a triple".
RIP Roberto you are still "The Great One".

 

[BroadwayVa]

Today would have been the 81st birthday of the immortal Puerto Rican superstar and legendary credit to the human race off the field. For those of you old enough to have seen him play, nothing more need be said. For my fellow Boneyarders who never had that opportunity, all I can say is that you missed out on a lot. The stat lines speak for themselves, but no baserunner in the history of the game feared the arm of an outfielder like his contemporaries feared his. RIP, Roberto...and thanks for the memories!

And it would seem---half of Puerto Rico is named for him. Lived off of the street named for him in Rio Piedas, in Monte Carlo Estates!! Superb Ball player, and a credit to his Home Island. FYI--Puerto Ricans like us here--are born Americans, contrary to the belief of many.

 

[Kibitzer]

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. My first baseball hero was SS Arky Vaughn and my first Steeler hero was Bill Dudley - who, in 1946, was the tailback (single wing!), so he did most of the rushing (led the league) and occasionally threw passes. He led the NFL in punt return yards and as a safety he intercepted 10 passes; he also punted, kicked field goals and extra points. He was pretty darn good.

I followed Clemente at Forbes Field early and later via Armed Forces radio while in the Army. He was amazing. As a batter he stood way in the back (close to catcher) and seemed to stride toward the third base line, yet consistently smack line drives to the opposite (right) field side. Hundreds of them.

In the outfield, he enjoyed making trade mark basket catches on the dew drops and his throws from RF to home or any base (even first!) were made with a cannon-like trajectory.

And Bob Prince led the cheers: "Arriba! Arriba!!"

 

[PalPa]

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. My first baseball hero was SS Arky Vaughn and my first Steeler hero was Bill Dudley - who, in 1946, was the tailback (single wing!), so he did most of the rushing (led the league) and occasionally threw passes. He led the NFL in punt return yards and as a safety he intercepted 10 passes; he also punted, kicked field goals and extra points. He was pretty darn good.

I followed Clemente at Forbes Field early and later via Armed Forces radio while in the Army. He was amazing. As a batter he stood way in the back (close to catcher) and seemed to stride toward the third base line, yet consistently smack line drives to the opposite (right) field side. Hundreds of them.

In the outfield, he enjoyed making trade mark basket catches on the dew drops and his throws from RF to home or any base (even first!) were made with a cannon-like trajectory.

And Bob Prince led the cheers: "Arriba! Arriba!!"

Hey Kib, do you remember Rosy Rowswell, "Raise the window, Aunt Minnie here it comes"? He had a lot of unique expressions.

 

[Uhuru]

Saw Clemente play at Forbes Field.

Bob Prince had an interesting way to describe Clemente's arm. Prince said that Roberto could throw a strawberry through a locomotive.

 

[Kibitzer]

Hey Kib, do you remember Rosy Rowswell, "Raise the window, Aunt Minnie here it comes"? He had a lot of unique expressions.

Yes indeed. No old Yinzer could ever forget Rosy. For you young'uns, Rosy and sidekick Jack Craddock broadcast away games from a studio in radio station WWSW, equipped with a ticker tape, microphone, a bucket, a shrill whistle, and a water glass. For about 2+hours, Rosy would transpose the terse reports on the ticker tape (ball one. . .foul ball, strike one. . .ground out, shortstop to first base. . . ." etc.) and describe the "action" as if he were viewing it.

When things were going badly for the Bucs, Rosy would moan, "Oooh, my achin' back!" A favorite expression of Rosy's (of many) was when an opposing batsman struck out swinging. Rosy went nuts: "And it's the oooold dipsy-doodle! He swings and misses for strike three!"

Back to the WWSW studio. He was at his creative best when a Pirate hit a home run. Pure excitement. Like this: "SMACK! SHRIEKING SHRILL WHISTLE [sound effects] [Rosy shouting] Raise the window Aunt Minnie, cuz here she comes!!! [SOUND OF DRINKING GLASS BREAKING IN BUCKET] . . . then lament by Rosy: "She never made it." (n.b., she never did.)

This silliness captivated generations of Pittsburghers in the '40's. The Dodgers had Red, the Yankees had Mel, and us Pittsburghers had Rosy - and we loved him. He was as precious as Iron City Beer.

 

[Oldbones]

One interesting thing about that game is that following the error, a sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk to Hank Aaron, then Joe Adcock hit what appeared to be a game-winning 3-run HR. However Aaron stopped running to celebrate, Adcock passed him on the basepaths, and the HR was turned into a double. Final score 1-0.

As a Pirates fan, the one thing I won't forget about that game is that Roman Mejias, who was starting in RF in place of Clemente, made a colossal base running gaffe early in the game that, all else being equal, cost them a run and cost Haddix a 9-inning perfect game win. Mejias tried to go from 1st to 3rd on a misplayed sacrifice bunt but was gunned down fairly easily. The next batter delivered a hit to right center that would have easily scored him.

After the game Lew Burdette said that "this was the first time I ever pitched a 13-inning shutout and didn't get my name in the papers."

 

[MilfordHusky]

I saw him in person at Connie Mack and on TV several times. He had no weaknesses. He didn't have the power of Willie Mays, and he played in a smaller market, but he was every bit as good in my opinion. He hit off his front foot, swung at pitches out of the zone, and yet rarely struck out. His body language was unique. He was worth the price of admission.

 

[stamfordhusky]

One other Clemente item. He holds the record for the most World Series game played with a hit in every game. Played 14 games - hit in 14 games.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Never went to a many ball games (and the few I did were at Yankee Stadium) so I never saw him play. Never saw him much on TV either, as we didn't watch that "other league" (although my Grandmother, OTH, was a Mets fan after her beloved Dodgers went west). But I actually remember when he died and how much of a tragedy it was (I was high school age).

For Yankee fans, the tragic death of Thurman Munson was another sad memory. I looked it up and was shocked to see that over 80 ball players have died during their career, many of course long ago when medicine wasn't what it is today.

 

[Icebear]

The right field wall at PNC Park - which is the best baseball stadium in the country - is 21 feet tall in his honor. No one had a better arm than Roberto. Also he played in an era completely dominated by pitching, so that .317 lifetime average was a lot more impressive than it appears. The overall MLB batting average during his career was in the .240's.

He also played most of his career in the park, Forbes Field, that had the deepest overall outfield dimensions in all of baseball. It was 365 feet down the LF line, with a high scoreboard to carry; 406 feet to the deeper LF power alley, and 457 feet to CF.

The Polo Grounds was 482 to center. 450 and 449 in the power allies and only 279 and 258 down the lines.

 

[bmayuc]

Its a shame he quit right near the end of his prime. He could have put up some really historic numbers...

 

[meyers7]

A little bit on him.

 

[Citrusdog]

Yes indeed. No old Yinzer could ever forget Rosy. For you young'uns, Rosy and sidekick Jack Craddock broadcast away games from a studio in radio station WWSW, equipped with a ticker tape, microphone, a bucket, a shrill whistle, and a water glass. For about 2+hours, Rosy would transpose the terse reports on the ticker tape (ball one. . .foul ball, strike one. . .ground out, shortstop to first base. . . ." etc.) and describe the "action" as if he were viewing it.

When things were going badly for the Bucs, Rosy would moan, "Oooh, my achin' back!" A favorite expression of Rosy's (of many) was when an opposing batsman struck out swinging. Rosy went nuts: "And it's the oooold dipsy-doodle! He swings and misses for strike three!"

Back to the WWSW studio. He was at his creative best when a Pirate hit a home run. Pure excitement. Like this: "SMACK! SHRIEKING SHRILL WHISTLE [sound effects] [Rosy shouting] Raise the window Aunt Minnie, cuz here she comes!!! [SOUND OF DRINKING GLASS BREAKING IN BUCKET] . . . then lament by Rosy: "She never made it." (n.b., she never did.)

This silliness captivated generations of Pittsburghers in the '40's. The Dodgers had Red, the Yankees had Mel, and us Pittsburghers had Rosy - and we loved him. He was as precious as Iron City Beer.

And the Mets had Lindsay Nelson.