Museum to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th Hit

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – On Sept. 30, 1972, Roberto Clemente laced a leadoff double to left-center field in the bottom of the fourth inning of the Pirates vs. Mets game at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium.

Fifty years later, that hit – which came in the last regular season plate appearance of Clemente’s career – stands as one of the game’s great achievements and a seminal moment in the story of Latinos in baseball. It’s all part of the larger story of Clemente’s legacy as a Hall of Fame player and worldwide humanitarian.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate the anniversary of Clemente’s 3,000th hit with programming throughout the day on Sept. 30, including a screening of the film “Chasing 3000” in the Museum’s Grandstand Theater.

As part of the Museum’s Friday Focus programming, special events include:

11 a.m. – Plaques of Gallery Tour, featuring a look at Latin American legends enshrined in Cooperstown.

1 p.m. – Artifact Spotlight and Hispanic Heritage Pop-Up in the Learning Center, with a look at some fascinating artifacts not currently on display, including the cap Roberto Clemente wore under his helmet when he recorded his 3,000th hit.

2 p.m. – Voices of the Game program in the Bullpen Theater with Bill Mikita, the screenwriter and producer of “Chasing 3000”.

5 p.m. – Screening of “Chasing 3000”, a story of two brothers who drive across the country to see Roberto Clemente's 3,000th hit. Admission to the film is free but tickets must be reserved in advance by clicking here, and the film will be followed by a short Q&A with the screenwriter and producer Bill Mikita and producer Ryan R. Johnson.

Johnson and Mikita will donate a Roberto Clemente replica Pirates jersey – worn by actor Ray Liotta in “Chasing 3000” – to the Hall of Fame on behalf of the cast and crew of the film for preservation in the Museum’s collection.

As part of the Clemente celebration, the Museum is also debuting Spanish language Hall of Fame Connections videos featuring the Pirates’ superstar.

All events on Sept. 30 during Museum hours are included with regular Museum admission.