In late August, I discovered something very special about my adopted hometown of Hartford, Connecticut – a special connection to my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I know, it’s baseball, but this was a special feel-good moment for me.
I was sitting with my best friend, looking around the newly opened Dunkin’ Donuts Stadium when something caught my attention. On the left side of the wall in center field was the number ‘21’ enshrined in the same fashion as the ‘42’ on the right side. ‘42’ is for Jackie Robinson – the number has been retired throughout the entire Major League Baseball (MLB) system. ‘21’ was Roberto Clemente’s number, but Clemente played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He started playing for them the season after I was born and he died shortly after I graduated high school. Still a Pirate, still playing strong, he died in a plane crash while trying to deliver emergency supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake.
Fans still gather in Pittsburgh each year to honor, Roberto. This article talks about how current players honor him by giving back to the community.
“This is what baseball is truly about,” Roberto Clemente’s son, Luis Clemente, said Wednesday. “It’s about giving. It’s about spreading your wealth, your knowledge with everyone, and the guys do it very well,” Clemente said. “This is not a big effort from us — it’s a privilege to be here. And they really mean it with how they feel. When they were playing, you could see, they were not pretending — they were having fun.”
Although I missed this article in the Hartford Courant when it was published. it explains the reason for the ‘21’ on the Yard Goats scoreboard and Roberto Clemente’s picture that I noticed as we were walking to our seats.
“Roberto Clemente’s legacy lives on in the Greater Hartford area, where adults and children both continue to herald the accomplishments of this truly remarkable man”, Yard Goats owner Josh Solomon said. “It was important to us to celebrate his memory both on and off the field.”
“We’re ensuring that we honor the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente”, said Julio Concepcion, Majority Leader, Hartford City Council. “The impact Roberto Clemente continues to have, particularly in our Latino community, goes far beyond baseball.”
Unfortunately, Clemente’s home, Puerto Rico has recently suffered from a devastating hurricane. This is why I decided to share this story this month.
The “We are the World” Blogfest is in its seventh month of a scheduled 12-month run. The blogfest’s goal is to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. This month’s co-hosts are: Michelle Wallace, Shilpa Garg, Andrea Michaels, Peter Nena, and Emerald Barnes. #WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month. Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign up at any time between now and February of 2018.
This is a wonderful piece, Dan. I remember reading about Clemente’s good deeds and I love that baseball has kept his legacy alive by helping others in these communities. I applaud the many honorable and loving sports figures that give of their time and money to those less fortunate.
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Thanks Mary. That was such a sad day. When we walked in and I saw his picture, I felt like I was Home. Hartford is in lots of trouble financially. Maybe they can learn from Pittsburgh there, too (bankrupt twice, if I’m correct).
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These are the memories that need to be remembered and shared! Thanks Dan, I enjoyed that,
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Thanks Pam. I was so glad to see this.
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Good memories never go out of style. :-)
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It’s true. I’m just glad this one followed me to Hartford.
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Good memories and thanks for sharing, Dan. There’s too much negativity in the world today, especially as celebrated by the media, so it’s always good to read positive things about people doing good. Happy Friday!
janet
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I was so moved by the fact that his kindness has been remembered for over 45 years, and has touched a community almost 500 miles away. Thanks!
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Wonderful man. He died in a selfless mission. A shared memory like that brings people closer together and makes the world a better place. And the fact that it involves sports surely solidifies his benevolent legacy.
Thank you Dan. I’m co-hosting again this month.
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Thank you Peter, for the comment and for co-hosting. I love that he is remembered for his selfless act as well as his remarkable talent on the field. I saw him play many times while I was growing up, and he was amazing to watch. He also loved playing for the Pirates – he said it was happy playing for the Pirates. The right field wall (his position) at PNC Park is 21 feet tall (his number) – he will not be forgotten.
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I’m envious of y’alls ability to retain those stats that make baseball great. I love watching the game and the feeling I get when surrounded by the history involved.
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Thanks Audrey – he was such a remarkable player. I saw him play many times while growing up and he was so much fun to watch. He died, trying to help others, and that will keep his memory alive longer than his on-field performance. I was shocked to see his number retired here in Hartford, but it feels good to be in this ball park, too.
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The kind of baseball hero that people can look up to… Thank you!
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Thanks Kate. He was my hero on the field and then forever.
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It’s nice to read about someone in professional baseball that is remembered for his good deeds, and not his devious ones. [Yes, I’m looking at you, Pete Rose.] Good story.
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Ha ha – thanks. I like that 45 years later, his teammates are still doing good things to honor him.
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It does seem he was the sort of man that’s fallen out of fashion. I’m always delighted when people use their platforms for good. May his spirit live on through the deeds others do in his name.
Glad you enjoyed the game!
Love the bridge shot :)
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Thanks. There are a lot of players doing stuff like this, maybe not on this scale, but nobody writes those stories. That’s why they started #WATWB.
The Yard Goats lost, but we had a great time.
Faith and I almost always walk across that bridge when we visit Pittsburgh. It’s one of (3) Sisters and they’re all beautiful.
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Great article, Dan. I like the words of Clemente’s son too.
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Thdnks. His son made an enormous plea to the Pirates a few years ago to end their losing streak at 20 years, do as not to connect the longest losing streak in MLB history with his father. I don’t know if it helped, but it did end at 20.
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Clemente was a tremendous player, and an even better human being. It’s not for no reason that MLB’s annual award for best humanitarian effort is named for him.
I’m glad the Yard Goats (where do they get these names?) are retiring his number. There’s word that MLB might retire his number across baseball, which creates a conundrum for the Braves, who’ve already retired #21 for Warren Spahn…
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Thanks John. He really was the best. We used to go early to Forbes Field to watch batting/fielding practice. Other guys would throw to a cut-off man. He would beam the hall home from right field.
I’m really glad the Yard Goats (public vote) did this. It’s very special to see.
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Anything baseball touches my heart and anything Roberto Clemente even more so. Through my oldest baseball-loving brother, I’ve long been aware of Clemente’s career, death and good works. I’m so glad you honored him in a blog; I, too have been thinking about the many fine baseball players who call Puerto Rico home.
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I’m glad you liked this Janet. The people, city, schools and churches in Hartford are sending stuff to the island and preparing to receive refugees. Not sure what the Feds are doing but people are always willing to help. Roberto gave his life trying to help. He will always have a special place. I’m going to enjoy watching the Yard Goats a little more now.
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Hi Dan – what a great story … I’m just sorry to read of the Clemente home being battered in the hurricane – the island seems to have suffered way too much. It’s excellent that they do remember him and his selfless act in trying to get aid to Nicaragua … love the idea of the 21 foot wall and then his number emblazoned on it … it certainly should inspire many kids to remember him and his good deed and leadership … cheers Hilary
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Thanks Hilary. He was a hero, on and off the field. I feel very lucky to see that his legacy followed me here.
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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Thank you!
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What a wonderful legacy. I had forgotten the story so thank you for the reminder of a life – although way too short – that was well-lived.
(I’m loving the “Yard Goats,” but having a hard time with “Dunkin’ Donuts Stadium.” Baseball and donuts just don’t go together in my mind.)
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Thank you. I’m glad you liked this. Dunkin’ Donuts is doing their best. You can get burgers served between donuts. They have a 7th inning stretch race between life size donut, coffee cup and iced coffee. When the Goats hit a home run, steam flies out of the big cup.
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I remember hearing the name Roberto Clemente when I was a kid. He did start out west with The Dodgers but I would not have seen him because I lived in Northern California. Great when the athletes are involved in their community.
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I think they might have still been in Brooklyn. They lost the right to him because they paid him too big a bonus. We got him as in the rookie draft even though the Dodgers had him a year, because they never put him on the active roster.
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That’s interesting. That was a way back when the Dodgers were still back East. :)
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Yes, he started playing in 1954. The Pirates acquired him in 55 from Brooklyn.
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Super tribute, Dan
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Thanks John! He was a great man
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Ah, Clemente. I still have my Roberto shirt from back in the day. A friend of mine still talks of him with reverence both as an athlete and humanitarian. Good to know others are doing good things in his name.
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Hang onto that shirt! He was amazing to watch in the field and he still inspires people, on and off the field.
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love the memories and what a tribute to baseball by sharing the quotes and text – that was cool
also – cannot believe there is a Dunkin Donuts stadium – I smiled curiously when i read that and then when you shared a photo fo the sign – well right on. I was just surprised cos usually different corporations have stadiums – so that was cool
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Thanks! It’s a minr league stadium, AA ball, but they have really done a nice job. This was the first year they played there, and it won 1st place in AA Stadiums in a review. Walking in and seeing Clemete’s photo hanging on the wall.
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so cool
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Great piece of nostalgia, Dan, and a tribute to a man’s memory that still makes a difference today. Perfect for the WATWB blog fest.
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Thanks. It’s so good to see people working in his honor today. I was so happy to see the “21” on the wall. A bit of home.
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The sadness you must have felt brought to mind two of my sports heroes who died in accidents. Curiously, they have the same surname: Croatian Dražen Petrović, my basketball super hero, died in a car crash at 28 while playing in the NBA for New Jersey Nets but he made his name before playing for Cibona, Zagreb, and Yugoslav team.
Rok Petrovič was a Slovenian Alpine skier who won almost all slalom races in one World Cup winter. He died at 27 in a scuba-diving accident. Both died in the same year, 1993.
Tragic to hear of your hero. Peace to all of them.
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Thanks Manja. Way too young to be gone.
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I love this story, Dan!
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Thanks Jennie – it was a wonderful surprise to see that ’21’ on the wall.
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I can only imagine! 🙂
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Perfect time to post this, Dan, as you said, Puerto Rico is suffering. It seems that Clemente would have been out there supporting and assisting them, especially since it was his home. Thanks for bringing more awareness.
I love baseball – one more game to go for my team, then off season. I will be watching some of the post season, too.
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Thanks Emily. I think he would be helping Puerto Rico now, as many people and towns in and around Hartford (and other cities) are.
Baseball will be over for me and the Pirates, today. I’ll watch some of the playoffs, but not with great interest (unless the Indians make a run for it).
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Wonderful story, and images. I wish more players would take a page from Clemente’s book. :)
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Thanks. I was lucky to grow up watching him play. sad when he died, but surprised and very happy to see his number retired here in Hartford. Lots of people around here are working hard to send help to Puerto Rico and to find homes for refugees.
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Ah, there’s nothing like going to a baseball game, Dan. As Humphrey Bogart once said, “A hot dog at the game beats roast beef at the Ritz.”
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It’s so true, Paul. This is just AA ball, but we had a great time and we plan to go more often next year.
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Dan, this ‘giving’ that has centred around Clemente’s generous life is wonderful. As is your gesture to post it for the Puerto Ricans. At the risk of sounding corny, I think you’ve hit a home run in this post. Thanks for sharing.
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Ha! Thanks Simon. I was reluctant to go with baseball again, but this seemed so appropriate. There is a huge effort around here to send supplies to the island and to prepare to receive refugees. Many children and others will be displaced for months while repairs are underway.
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I really enjoyed this post and thank you for sharing all that you did, including about baseball greats Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson, too.
I think it makes things meaningful when connections are made. I agree, connecting Pittsburgh to Hartford really helps to feel like a “home away from home,” Dan.
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Thanks. I like that my new home considers my old-home hero their hero too.
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Great one Dan, and that his memory lives on. Poignant too that Clemente is especially remembered in these times of the Puerto Rican tragedies and that his rallying ccry is still heard.
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Thanks Susan. We’re still reading articles as people around here are sending supplies to Puerto Rico and get ready to receive hundred, perhaps thousands of displaced people.
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The kids in your first article look like they were having fun. I’m so glad to hear that so many athletes know the importance of community interaction. It is also interesting how certain things in our lives stay with us. Thank you for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB.
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Thanks. Sorry for the delay, your comment ended up in my spam folder. This was a very nice event. I think the players had as much fun as the kids.
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[…] I wrote about the Yardgoats honoring Roberto Clemente, last year for #WATWB. I suppose I could have reprised that subject for Friday’s #WATWB post, but I wanted to write more than the few words, and the article I found is similar to the one I used last year. I’ll quote a bit of it though. In 2018, the Hartford Yard Goats played three games as “Los Chivos de Hartford” in support of Connecticut’s Latino population and as part of Minor League Baseball’s inaugural Copa de la Diversion campaign, which celebrates the diversity of baseball’s fanbase. Here’s a clip from that article: […]
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