The pride of Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente had a Hall of Fame 17 year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Amassing exactly 3,000 hits, Clemente's career and life were tragically cut short at the age of 37 while on a charity mission. His relief flight crashed into the Atlantic Ocean and his body was never recovered. In a special vote, Clemente was inducted into the Hall of Fame without the usual mandatory five year wait.
The Roberto Clemente statue was dedicated in 1994 at Three Rivers Stadium, but since has moved with the team to PNC Park. Sculpted by Susan Wagner, the 12 foot bronze statue has 15 inscriptions recounting career highlights. There is a blank space for a 16th inscription, purposely left that way to reflect his premature death. Clemente is the second of four Pirates, behind Honus Wagner and ahead of Willie Stargell and Bill Mazeroski to have a statue.
The Boys of Summer took our picture with the Clemente statue on our trip in 2005. The Pirates lost 7-5 that day to the Tampa Rays.
Cuzz, Jim, me, Jason and Chuck in Pittsburgh, PA-Summer 2005.
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