Roberto Clemente
Puerto
Rico
From Rookie to Manager
Even though Roberto Clemente made his greatest achievements playing in Pittsburgh with the Pirates, his history and career have strong ties to Puerto Rican baseball.
Clemente made his start playing baseball in the San Antón barrio until Roberto Marín recruited him to play shortstop and third base for the 1951 Sello Rojo softball team.
high school in Carolina, PR.
Shortly after his time playing with the Sello Rojo team Clemente joins the Puerto Rican Amateur Baseball League, playing shortstop and center field for the Juncos-Denia team.
On September 17th, 1952, Roberto Clemente attends a tryout hosted by the Dodgers at Sixto Escobar Stadium in San Juan Puerto Rico. Al Campanis is on sight to oversee the event.
Clemente catches the eye of Pedrin Zorrilla and two months later, he signs a contract with the Cangrejeros de Santurce team.
Clemente is so young that his father signs his contract with the Santurce Baseball Club in his place.
Following the 1952-53 season, Clemente is promoted to the starting lineup and hits .288 as the team’s leadoff hitter. This is also the season he starts wearing his iconic #21.
In the 1954-55 season, Clemente hits a walk-off home run earning him a cover spot on puerto rican Besibol Magazine.
In 1954, he plays alongside Willie Mays, and other stars, helping the Cangrejeros team win the 1954 Caribbean World Series.
in 1955, Clemente joins one of the most legendary lineups 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. they brought home a massive victory by winning the Caribbean world series that year.
In December of 1956, Clemente is traded to the Caguas baseball club to help with Santurce’s debt. juan pizarro and Ronnie samford are also traded as part of the $30,000 deal.
In 1958, Clemente plays in the Caribbean series for the Puerto Rican team. Though Puerto Rico falls to Cuba in game 12, Clemente earns an all-star spot for his work in center field.
In September of 1959, after being included in a trade deal between Caguas and San Juan, Clemente signs a contract with the Senadores for $800, plus $200 for expenses, per month.
also included in the trade are José “Palillo” Santiago and Canenita Allen.
In 1962, Roberto Clemente takes part in a youth clinic held in his hometown of Carolina, Puerto Rico.
The images, taken by photographer Thomas Hollyman, would be used in a travel campaign for the island of Puerto Rico devised by famed advertising company Ogilvy and Mather.
Clemente plays with the San Juan team through the 1964-65 season. In 1965 he takes a two year break from the team to concentrate on his play with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After a rest, Roberto Clemente rejoins the San Juan Senadores team in their 1967-68 season. After another break in the 1968-69 season, Clemente rejoins the team in 1969 agreeing on $1,000, plus $500 for expenses, per month.
In the 1970-71 season, Clemente takes the role of player/manager for the San Juan Senadores.
During his time managing the team, Clemente looked over a lineup that included his Pirate teammates Manny Sanguillen, Dave Cash and Al Oliver.
He only manages the team for that season. When asked about his time managing and playing on the team, Clemente says “…I’m trying to succeed the only way I know how in baseball,
by giving my soul.”
giving my soul
In 1972, Clemente coaches the Puerto Rican team in the 20th AWBC championship.
His team ties three ways for sixth place.
Throughout the rest of 1972, Roberto Clemente takes his time to coach youth seminars. including ones sponsored by Eastern Airlines in late December.
