Roberto Clemente
1950’s
Santurce to Pittsburgh
In 1952 an 18 year old Roberto Clemente begins his historic baseball career by being drafted onto the Cangrejeros de Santurce team. By 1953 he is moved to the starting lineup and bats a .288 as the leadoff hitter that season.
Clemente is so young that his father signs his contract with the Santurce baseball club
in his place.
in his place.
altogether, Roberto’s time with the Santurce team lasts 5 years, extending past his major league debut in 1955 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
February 19th,1954 Clemente is picked up by the Montreal baseball club. From here he is moved to the Royals, the Dodger’s farm team. On July 25th he hits the first home run of his north American career. And on August 18th, his birthday, he gets a walk-off outfield assist.
That same year he returns to Puerto Rico to play in the winter leagues.
Playing alongside Willie Mays, and other stars, the Cangrejeros team wins the 1954 Carribean world series.
Later that year, Roberto Clemente is scouted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He joins the team shortly thereafter, starting with a $6,000 salary and $10,000 bonus. Though he admits to not even knowing where Pittsburgh is.
in 1955, Clemente joins one of the most legendary line ups in the history of the Caribbean league. Dubbed “the panic squad” this line consisted of Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Buster Clarkson, Bob Thurman and George Crowe and brings home a massive victory by winning the Caribbean world series that year.
On April 17th, 1955, Clemente has his debut with the Pirates wearing the number 13. He wears this number for 5 games until he finally gets the 21 on his jersey.
on July 25, 1956 he hits walk-off, inside-the-park grand slam. The only documented in modern Major League Baseball play. this play kicks off his storied career with an amazing achievement, cementing his worth to the pirates organization.
Now in the pros, he sends his mother his first MLB photo.
personalizing it by writing…
“To mother with love. Roberto”
“To mother with love. Roberto”
In 1958 Roberto Clemente joins the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
Overall, he serves 6 months training with the marines corps.
Serving on active duty at Parris Island, S.C. and Camp LeJeune, N.C.
Toward the end of his time serving at boot camp at camp lejeune john walker, an ex state senator with prior military service, sent a letter to senator Hugh Scott asking for early release for Roberto Clemente so that he may report to the upcoming spring training on time.
Clemente storms into his 1959 career, hitting what might stand as the longest hit at Wrigley field on may 17th. though slightly contested, the 500’ dead center shot was given validity when cubs’ broadcaster jack brickhouse said…
“Clemente’s was the longest I ever saw at Wrigley; longer than Kingman’s. That’s the one I’ll always remember.”