Clemente’s MLB debut changed the game

On April 17, 1955, Roberto Clemente, one of baseball’s greatest players and ambassadors, would make his major league debut. He would change the game with his talent – and open doors for thousands of Latin American players who came after him.

Born on Aug. 18, 1934, in Puerto Rico, Clemente showed great athletic prowess from a young age. Coaches and scouts were impressed by his defensive capabilities, especially his arm and speed.

Signing with the Santurce Cangrejeros of the Puerto Rican League at the age of 18, Clemente would get his first opportunity to play in the affiliated minor leagues after signing a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954.

Clemente would see inconsistent playing time with Montreal of the International League for much of the 1954 season, primarily being used as a platoon player against left-handed pitching. He would finish with a .257 batting average across 87 games, with many later claiming the Dodgers were trying to “hide” him from other team’s scouts.

Due to certain rules surrounding signing bonuses and playing time, Clemente was eligible for the Rule 5 Draft following the season and was taken first overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team for which he would spend the rest of his career.

Clemente would find himself at Spring Training for the Pirates in 1955, fighting for a spot on the major league roster. Despite a crowded field of outfielders, Clemente would secure a spot on the team after impressing the Pirates managerial staff with his abilities.

“The boy has the tools, there’s no doubt about that. And he takes to instruction readily,” said Pirates manager Fred Haney to the Sporting News when asked about the potential of Clemente. “Certainly, I have been pleased with what I have seen.”

Wearing uniform No. 13 at first before switching to his familiar No. 21, Clemente would miss the first three games of the season but would make his debut in a doubleheader against the Dodgers. In his first at-bat, he would record the first hit of his career with an infield single while also scoring his first career run in that same inning. In the second game of the doubleheader, Clemente would tally a double and single.

Clemente finished his rookie season with 121 hits and five home runs along with a .255 batting average.

Clemente’s breakout season would come in 1960, where he would be named to both All-Star Games and finish eighth in the National League’s MVP vote while also leading the Pirates to the World Series title. However, this would mark only the beginning of his dominance.

Over the following 12 seasons, Clemente would be named an All-Star 13 times along with winning the 1966 National League MVP Award. He would also win a Gold Glove Award in each of those seasons, still holding the record for most ever at the right field position with 12.

As spectacular as a player Clemente was on the field, his work off the field was even greater. Whether it was for racial injustice, humanitarian aid or creating opportunities for the less fortunate, he made it his goal to help others.

When asked about the motivation behind his efforts, Clemente encapsulated his philosophy with one simple quote: “If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this Earth.”

Clemente frequently voiced his concerns over the treatment of Latin and Black players, rallying for the same acceptance and recognition their other teammates received. His efforts extended far beyond the United States, regularly visiting Puerto Rico and other Latin countries to help support struggling communities.

However, tragedy would strike on New Year’s Eve in 1972. Following a series of earthquakes in Nicaragua that left thousands of people homeless and struggling for resources, Clemente would plan a trip to help aid the community in the time of crisis. Shortly after departing on his flight, Clemente’s plane would crash off the coast of Puerto Rico, killing him and the four other passengers.

“We have lost not only a great baseball player but a great human being,” said Joe L. Brown, the Pirates general manager, to The Pittsburgh Press. “People did not know quite how wonderful a person Roberto was.”

Following his death, the Pittsburgh Pirates would retire Clemente’s jersey number. Major League Baseball would also rename the Commissioner’s Award to the Roberto Clemente Award, in honor of Clemente’s unwavering dedication to helping those in need.

Roberto Clemente was posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 after the Baseball Writers’ Association of America waived the standard five-year waiting period for electees. Clemente became the first Latino player elected to the Hall of Fame.

Aidan Shephard was an intern in the Jim Murray Sports Communications Scholars Program at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum