This 11-inch plaque was presented to Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente on Roberto Clemente night, July 24, 1970. Clemente was born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico the youngest of seven children. He joined Puerto Rico’s amateur league when he was 16-years-old. From 1952-1954 he played in the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League. Clemente signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954 and moved to Montreal. Having issues with the language, Clemente counted on teammates Chico Fernandez, Tommy Lasorda and Joe Black. Pirates pitching coach Clyde Sukeforth went to scout Black and noticed Clemente’s throwing and batting in pre-game drills. The Pirates made Clemente the first selection of the Rule 5 Draft that took place on November 22, 1954.
Clemente was given the #13 upon his arrival as teammate Earl Smith was wearing his desired #21. After about 7 weeks, Clemente was reassigned his retired #21. Clemente played 18 seasons in Pittsburgh before a plane crash on December 31, 1972 took his life at the age of 38. Roberto finished his career with 3000 hits, 240 HR’s, 1305 RBI and a career average of .317. He was a 15-time MLB All Star, NL MVP, World Series MVP, 12-time Gold Glove award winner, 4-time batting champion and 2-time World Series Champion. His player #21 is retired by the Pirates and, the normal waiting time being waived, he was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in a special election on March 20, 1973.
This plaque has a small brass batter in front of two affixed brass placards inscribed in Spanish. It was presented to Clemente by the Club Ecuestre El Comandante (El Comandante Equestrian Club). The first placard reads in English, “El Comandante Equestrian Club, Hilda Soltero, President”, Puerto Rican Federation of Equestrian Sports”, Mr. German Rickehoff Sampayo, President”, San Juan Puerto Rico – July 24, 1970”.
The second placard reads in English, “For your sports record, Congratulations for the enhancement you have achieved for Puerto Rico, Thank you”.
The plaque has surface wear, tarnish and scratching of the placards and a loose top placard. This plaque with be accompanied by a letter from Vera Clemente, the wife of Roberto Clemente.
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