Death of Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente was a celebrated Hall of Fame baseball player who tragically died in an airplane crash on December 31, 1972. At the time of his death, he was engaged in a humanitarian mission aimed at delivering aid to Nicaragua, which had recently experienced a devastating earthquake. Born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Clemente devoted his entire professional baseball career to the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972. He was a remarkable athlete, earning the National League Most Valuable Player title in 1966, and became a beloved figure in Puerto Rico, known for both his athletic prowess and charitable efforts. The aircraft he boarded, a DC-7 filled with supplies, was overloaded and crashed shortly after takeoff from San Juan International Airport, leading to the loss of all five individuals on board. His untimely passing resonated deeply within Puerto Rico, where he was regarded as a national hero. Posthumously, Clemente was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming the first Latin American player to receive this honor. In remembrance of his legacy, Major League Baseball annually presents the Roberto Clemente Award to players who exemplify exceptional athletic talent and humanitarian commitment.
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Death of Roberto Clemente
Death of Roberto Clemente
Hall of Fame baseball player Roberto Walker Clemente died on December 31, 1972, in an airplane crash just off the coast of Puerto Rico near the city of San Juan. At the time, he was on a humanitarian mission to the earthquake-ravaged nation of Nicaragua in Central America.
Born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Clemente was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates professional baseball team in 1954. He played with them for 18 years, from 1955 to 1972, his entire professional career. Clemente was an outstanding athlete, named National League Most Valuable Player in 1966, and became something of a local legend in his native Puerto Rico. He was also a humanitarian, and after a devastating earthquake hit Nicaragua on December 23, 1972, he organized a relief mission for the struggling survivors.
Clemente boarded a DC-7 aircraft loaded with supplies on December 31 with four other people—the pilot and three crew members. The plane was overloaded, however, and crashed shortly after leaving San Juan International Airport. All five people aboard were killed. Clemente was greatly mourned, especially in Puerto Rico, where he became a national hero, and he was posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, the first Latin American player to receive this honor. Major-league baseball also continues to honor Clemente with its annual Roberto Clemente Award, given to players who demonstrate not only exceptional athletic ability but also dedication to humanitarian work.