Roberto Clemente
1960’s
Creating a Legacy
During the beginning of the 1960s season, Clemente Leads the league with a .353 batting average with 14 base hits and 25 rbis recorded in May alone.
AUGUST 5TH 1960
Clemente makes a pivotal catch while colliding with the right field wall.
Bob Steves describes it as:
“…THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME, AS WELL AS ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING TO WATch AND PAINFUL TO MAKE.”
THE PLAY RESULTED IN 5 STITCHES TO CLEMENTE’S CHIN AND 5 GAMES OUT TO HEAL.
Under the advice of Pirates’ batting coach George Sisler, Clemente begins using his signature 36 inch, 38oz bat in order to slow down his swing and better control his batting ability.
In 1960 the Pirates enter the world series with a sturdy line-up and the momentum of a successful season.
ROBERTO CLEMENTE hits safely at least once in every game of the WORLD series, averaging .310 throughout.
Despite being underdogs, the Pirates beat the Yankees in 7 games with a historic, series-clinching home run over the left-field wall by Bill Mazeroski.
After the World Series win, Clemente travels to Puerto Rico with Orlando Cepeda. Roberto becomes manager and player for the San Juan Senadores in the Winter Baseball League.
Clemente was an all-star every season throughout the decade outside of 1968, the only year of his career after 1959 that he hit below .300.
Beginning in 1961, Clemente wins a Gold Glove in each of his final 12 seasons.
Throughout the 1960s, Clemente stunned the league by winning batting titles in 1961, 1964, 1965 and 1967.
On November 14th, 1964 roberto clemente and vera zabala marry at san fernando church in their hometown of carolina, puerto rico.
august 17th, 1965
roberto clemente Jr. is born
On november 16th, 1966 roberto clemente is named the National League’s Most Valuable Player, beating out sandy koufax.
alongside the 1960 pirates pennant win, Clemente considered the MVP award his biggest achievement in baseball. saying “This is a big moment for me… If the Pirates had won the pennant, this would have made my dream come true.”
july 13th, 1966
Luis roberto clemente is born
1967 – Clemente hits for a career high .357 batting average with 23 home runs and 110 runs batted in, earning him the unofficial title of “best player today” by Sport Magazine.
MAY 20th, 1969
Roberto Enrique Clemente is born
Near the end of 1969, Clemente heads to Puerto Rico to manage the san juan Senadores in the Winter League