The Story
Roberto Clemente
August 18th, 1934
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August 18th, 1934
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Roberto Clemente Walker is born in Barrio San Anton, Carolina, Puerto Rico to Melchor Clemente and Luisa Walker. He was the youngest of seven children.
1950
Amateur League
Clemente joins Puerto Rico’s amateur league at 16 years old, playing for the Ferdinand Juncos. He later played winter ball for Santurce, San Juan, and Corillo de Caguas.
October 9th, 1952
Enters Professional Baseball
Clemente begins his professional baseball career when he signs with the Cangrejeros de Santurce, a winter league team and franchise of the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League (LBBPR).
July 25th, 1954
First Home Run
The first home run of his North American baseball career was an extra inning walk-off in his first at bat as a defensive replacement.
November 22nd, 1954
Drafted By Pirates
The Pirates select Roberto Clemente with the first pick of the Rookie Draft.
April 1955
Signed To The Pittsburgh Pirates
Clemente is signed to the Pittsburgh Pirates by Branch Rickey. He sent this photograph to his mother signing “To Mother With Love.” It was the first time he was photographed in the Pirates uniform at Forbes Field.
April 17th, 1955
MLB Debut
Clemente makes his MLB debut.
July 25th, 1956
Makes History
Hits the only documented inside- the-park walk-off grand slam in modern MLB history.
1958
Joins The Marines
Clemente was drafted and placed in the Marine Reserves. While in basic training, he broke two records, one for the most chin-ups and one for fastest through the obstacle course.
May, 1960
Award
Clemente wins National League’s Player of the Month Award.
October 1960
Wins The World Series
Wins his first World Series after defeating the heavily favored New York Yankees in seven games.