The Pirates announced that each of their players will wear Roberto Clemente # 21 on Roberto Clemente Day on Wednesday, September 9, in their game against the White Sox.
It will be the first time anyone has worn the team’s number 21 since Clemente’s death in 1972.
The Puerto Rican Clemente, an icon in both Pittsburgh and Isla del Encanto, died on December 31, 1972 when the plane in which he was traveling from Puerto Rico to Nicaragua to carry supplies to the victims of an earthquake in the Central American country fell into the sea. .
Roberto Clemente Day is celebrated every September, in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from September 15 to October 15.
In his illustrious major league career, Clemente had exactly 3,000 hits with the Pirates. He was the Most Valuable Player of the National League in 1966, was called up to 15 All-Star Games and won two championship rings with Pittsburgh (1960, 1971), being MVP of the 71 World Series.
Clemente was inducted into the Hall of Fame through a special process about two and a half months after his death. (GG) (Taken MLB.Com)