Tag Archives: Roberto Clemente

31 December 2022 – Remembering Roberto

It seems difficult to believe that fifty years ago today, Roberto Clemente died on an errand of mercy. I will remember how he played. I will remember how he lived.

Remembering, I made a donation to the Roberto Clemente Foundation.

Remembering, I created this playlist:

Roberto – Ismael Miranda
Sueño Se Un Niño – Tito Allen
Somos La Fuerza Latina – Andy Montañez & Ismael Miranda
Roberto Y Tirabala – Andy Montañez
Orgullo De Borinquen – Lefty Pérez
Clemente (Estrella 21) – Edel Borrero
Jugando La Pelota – Jesús “Chocolate” Coombs
Jardonero Del Amor – Wichi Camacho
Lo Mejor Que Dios Ha Hecho – Angel Ramírez
Roberto Clemente – Bill Tiberio Band
Roberto Clemente – Nelson Feliciano and His Orchestra (feat. Junior Cordova)
Te Recuerdo – John McCutcheon

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Filed under Antiracism, Human Rights, Pittsburgh Pirates, Sports

Roberto Clemente Day – 2022

Reposted from 2019

A friend shared a post by a baseball fan lamenting never seeing Clemente, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ great right fielder from 1955 until his untimely death in 1972 play. “If there’s one athlete, past or present, that I wish I could have seen play, it would be Roberto Clemente.”

I understand the sentiment. Because I saw Clemente play. And I am forever grateful. 

At Forbes Field and at Three Rivers Stadium, I had the privilege to see Roberto Clemente play. On numerous occasions, I saw him play with the skill and grace and passion that few brought to the game. Slashing hits. Unmatched arm. He covered right field like a blanket. He ran the bases with abandon. 

But as great a player as he was, Roberto Clemente was an even greater human being. He cared for children, offering clinics in Puerto Rico and Pittsburgh. He advocated for civil rights. He demanded that he be treated justly as he challenged the systemic racism that permeated baseball and society.

Interviewed after he led the Pirates to victory in the 1971 World Series, Roberto Clemente spoke first to his parents – in Spanish. There was not a dry eye in my house. I suspect there was not a dry eye in many places. Tears fell in puddles when Clemente died on a humanitarian mission to aid the people of Nicaragua.

Yes. I saw Roberto Clemente play. More importantly, I saw Roberto Clemente live. And I am better for it. 

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Filed under Baseball, Current Events, Pittsburgh Pirates

18 August 2022

Roberto Clemente became my hero when I first saw him play. His commitment to justice and community involvement expanded my understanding of athletes and heroes. Feliz cumpleaños, Roberto. Te recuerdo.

Walking. North East, Maryland
Take Me out to the Ball Game – Dr. John
The Star-Spangled Banner – Branford Marsalis
Roberto – Ismael Miranda
Sueño Se Un Niño – Tito Allen
Somos La Fuerza Latina – Andy Montañez & Ismael Miranda
Roberto Y Tirabala – Andy Montañez
Orgullo De Borinquen – Lefty Pérez
Clemente (Estrella 21) – Edel Borrero
Jugando La Pelota – Jesús “Chocolate” Coombs
Jardonero Del Amor – Wichi Camacho
Lo Mejor Que Dios Ha Hecho – Angel Ramírez
Roberto Clemente – Bill Tiberio Band
Roberto Clemente – Nelson Feliciano and His Orchestra (feat. Junior Cordova)
Te Recuerdo – John McCutcheon

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Filed under Baseball, Exercise, Family, Human Rights, Music, Pittsburgh Pirates, playlist

A baseball pilgrimage

The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory added a statue of Roberto Clemente this fall. Today brought the pilgrimage to view the statue and hold a bat used by Clemente.

Louisville, Kentucky
6 November 2021

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Filed under Baseball, Louisville, Pittsburgh Pirates

18 August 2021

Roberto Clemente became my hero when I first saw him play. His commitment to justice and community involvement expanded my understanding of athletes and heroes. Feliz cumpleaños, Roberto. Te recuerdo.

Walking. Germantown.
Stretching. Gym in the Apartment.
Take Me out to the Ball Game – Dr. John
The Star-Spangled Banner – Branford Marsalis
Roberto – Ismael Miranda
Sueño Se Un Niño – Tito Allen
Somos La Fuerza Latina – Andy Montañez & Ismael Miranda
Roberto Y Tirabala – Andy Montañez
Orgullo De Borinquen – Lefty Pérez
Clemente (Estrella 21) – Edel Borrero
Jugando La Pelota – Jesús “Chocolate” Coombs
Jardonero Del Amor – Wichi Camacho
Lo Mejor Que Dios Ha Hecho – Angel Ramírez
Roberto Clemente – Bill Tiberio Band
Roberto Clemente – Nelson Feliciano and His Orchestra (feat. Junior Cordova)
Te Recuerdo – John McCutcheon

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Filed under Baseball, Exercise, Louisville, Pittsburgh Pirates

Recuerdo Roberto

Clemente

Graceful athlete
Dedicated humanitarian
Forever hero

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Filed under Baseball, Human Rights, Pittsburgh Pirates

I saw Roberto Clemente play … and live

As Major League Baseball celebrated Roberto Clemente Day on Septmber 9, I was moved by the posts honoring this amazing man. Viewing photos, watching videos, sharing posts, memories flooded over me.

A friend shared a post by a baseball fan lamenting never seeing Clemente, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ great right fielder from 1955 until his untimely death in 1972 play. “If there’s one athlete, past or present, that I wish I could have seen play, it would be Roberto Clemente.”

I understand the sentiment. Because I saw Clemente play. And I am forever grateful. 

At Forbes Field and at Three Rivers Stadium, I had the privilege to see Roberto Clemente play. On numerous occasions, I saw him play with the skill and grace and passion that few brought to the game. Slashing hits. Unmatched arm. He covered right field like a blanket. He ran the bases with abandon. 

But as great a player as he was, Roberto Clemente was an even greater human being. He cared for children, offering clinics in Puerto Rico and Pittsburgh. He advocated for civil rights. He demanded that he be treated justly as he challenged the systemic racism that permeated baseball and society.

Interviewed after he led the Pirates to victory in the 1971 World Series, Roberto Clemente spoke first to his parents – in Spanish. There was not a dry eye in my house. I suspect there was not a dry eye in many places. Tears fell in puddles when Clemente died on a humanitarian mission to aid the people of Nicaragua.

Yes. I saw Roberto Clemente play. More importantly, I saw Roberto Clemente live. And I am better for it. 

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Filed under Baseball, Current Events, Human Rights, Photo, Pittsburgh Pirates

Te recuerdo Roberto

Major League Baseball designates this as Roberto Clemente Day. All the Pittsburgh Pirates will wear 21 on their jerseys–Clemente’s number which the club retired in 1973, shortly after his death. Puerto Rican players are also allowed to wear 21. It is my honor, as a non-player, to join the remembrance.

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Filed under Baseball, Current Events, Photo, Pittsburgh Pirates

18 August 2019

ClementeRoberto Clemente became my hero when I first saw him play. His commitment to justice and community involvement expanded my understanding of athletes and heroes. Feliz cumpleaños, Roberto. Te recuerdo.

Treadmill. Gym at Germantown Mill Lofts.
Core work. Stretching. Gym in Tricia’s apartment.
Take Me out to the Ball Game – Jaqueline Schwab
The Star-Spangled Banner – Big League Orchestra
Roberto – Ismael Miranda
Sueño Se Un Niño – Tito Allen
Somos La Fuerza Latina – Andy Montañez & Ismael Miranda
Roberto Y Tirabala – Andy Montañez
Orgullo De Borinquen – Lefty Pérez
Clemente (Estrella 21) – Edel Borrero
Jugando La Pelota – Jesús “Chocolate” Coombs
Jardonero Del Amor – Wichi Camacho
Lo Mejor Que Dios Ha Hecho – Angel Ramírez
Te Recuerdo – John McCutcheon
Forever Young – Pete Seeger with the Rivertown Kids

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Filed under Baseball, Exercise, Louisville, Music, Pittsburgh Pirates, playlist, Uncategorized

29 March 2019

This playlist was intended for yesterday, but for a variety of reasons I did not do a focused exercise period. Thus I used it today. One day after opening day.
Gym at the Shire. Treadmill. Walking a little faster. Slow jogging for 4 minutes. Stretching.
Take Me out to the Ballgame – Carly Simon
The Star-Spangled Banner – Branford Marsalis
Steal Away – Bobbie Horton
Right Field – Peter, Paul, & Mary
Clubhouse Stomp – The New York Hawkss
Jugando La Pelota – Jesus Coombs
The All American Girls Professionbal League – Rockford Peaches
Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio – Les Brown & His Orchestra
Cross That Line – John McCutcheon
Clemente (Estrella 21) – Edel Borrero
Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball – Natalie Cole
Jardinero Del Amor – Wichi Camacho
Baseball Boogie – Mabel Scott
Say Hey – The Treniers
We Are Family – Sister Sledge

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Filed under Baseball, Exercise, Music, New York, playlist