19 Facts About Roberto Clemente

1. Roberto Clemente broke through the cultural barrier in the MLB and made Puerto Ricos baseball players respected.

2. Roberto Clemente always helped the underprivileged as much as he could.

3. Roberto Clemente faced discrimination and disrespect while playing in the MLB.

4. Roberto Clemente spent much of his time during the off-season involved in charity work.

5. Roberto Clemente was married on November 14, 1964 to Vera Zabala at San Fernando Church in Carolina.

6. Roberto Clemente made the annual NL All-Star roster for the 12th time and won his 12th consecutive Gold Glove.

7. Roberto Clemente was an All-Star every season he played in the 1960s other than 1968—the only year in his career after 1959 in which he failed to hit above.

8. Roberto Clemente started again in right field for the second All-Star game held that season and was 0 for 2, flying and grounding out in the 2nd and 4th innings.

9. Roberto Clemente was still fulfilling his Marine Corps Reserve duty during spring of 1959 and set to be released from Camp Lejeune until April 4.

10. Roberto Clemente was at a double disadvantage, as he was a Latin American and Caribbean player who knew very little English, and was Black, being of African descent.

11. Roberto Clemente responded to this by stating, "I don't believe in color.

12. Roberto Clemente debuted with the Pirates on April 17, 1955, wearing uniform number 13, in the first game of a doubleheader against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

13. Roberto Clemente was a private first class in the Marine Corps Reserve until September 1964.

14. Roberto Clemente joined Puerto Rico's amateur league when he was 16 years old, playing for the Ferdinand Juncos team, which represented the municipality of Juncos.

15. Roberto Clemente was with the team two years as shortstop.

16. Roberto Clemente was a track and field star and Olympic hopeful before deciding to turn his full attention to baseball.

17. Roberto Clemente was involved in charity work in Latin American and Caribbean countries during the off-seasons, often delivering baseball equipment and food to those in need.

18. Roberto Clemente was an All-Star for twelve seasons, playing in fifteen All-Star Games.

19. Roberto Clemente was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming both the first Latin American and Caribbean player to be enshrined.