Clemente

by The Clemente Family

  …It’s not enough to go to summer camp and have one or two instructors for a little time and then you go home and forget everything. You go to a Sports City and have people like Mays and Mantle and Williams, and kids would never forget it. I feel the United States should have something like this all over. If I was the president of the United States I would build a Sports City and take in kids of all ways of life. What we want to do is exchange kids with every city in the United States and show all the kids how to live and play with other kids. [I’ve] been going out to different towns, different neighborhoods. I get kids together and talk about the importance of sports, the importance of being a good citizen, the importance of respecting their mother and father. I like to get together with the fathers and sons and talk to them. Then we go to the ball field and I show them some techniques of playing baseball.

  MANNY SANGUILLÉN: Puerto Rico wasn’t proud of Roberto just because of what he did on the field. Puerto Ricans were proud because he always looked out for the little guy, and we were the little guy. He represented people who didn’t have a voice. He used baseball to give them a voice.

  * * *

  CLEMENTE’S STATURE IN baseball would grow despite thorny racial politics, the occasional letter-writing psychopath, and a language barrier that hampered the early part of his career. His bat and his nobility were like antidotes. Yet as his fame grew, he never forgot three basic Clemente beliefs. These would be beliefs later embraced by his sons, with those sons teaching their children the same.

  First, Clemente always paid tribute to the players who came before him. This would be the case with many other Latin and African-American players, but for Clemente it became purposeful. He’d tell his young sons, “Remember who paved the way for you.” These were names like Luis Olmo or Hiram Bithorn, among a handful of others. Bithorn was the first Puerto Rican to play in the majors. A pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, he got his first victory on June 5, 1942, against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Almost a decade later, he was killed under mysterious circumstances by a Mexican policeman who stopped Bithorn and asked for his car registration while the player was traveling to see his mother for a holiday visit. In 1943, Olmo, playing for the Dodgers, became the second Puerto Rican to play professional baseball. To Clemente, these men were heroes who deserved to always be cherished, and he did exactly that. This notion has been held by many athletes of color, from Jackie Robinson to Ali to Bill Russell to Aaron to Jim Brown.

  Clemente expressed two other core beliefs. He would always tell Vera, “When you are healthy and you are happy, every day of life is the same.” To Clemente, every day of life was precious, and this notion would, of course, have special meaning to the family long after Clemente would say it. The second Clemente saying—that if the opportunity comes to make life better for others, and you fail to do so, then you are wasting your time in this life (what he basically told the baseball writers before the 1971 season)—would become embedded in the Clemente mitochondria. Clemente would do this with charitable acts. His widow and sons have spent their lives doing the same.

  | EPILOGUE |

  21

  It was twelve-oh-five p.m. on May 14, 1973, and a remarkable man who had lived a remarkable life would affect a nation so much his legacy would be honored in one of the most prestigious places on the planet: in front of the president of the United States in the Oval Office of the White House. Actually, in what is perhaps one of the greatest validations of Roberto Clemente’s charitable and baseball legacy, two U.S. presidents honored him.

  It had been just five months since the plane crash. Vera was at the White House, nobly representing her husband, the beginning of a lifetime of doing so. But also in the room was President Richard Nixon, an avid sports fan, who wasn’t emotionally moved by much, yet the Clemente story did move him. Nixon’s place in history is well-known. What’s not as well-known is how passionately he followed sports, and how he had come to adore the Clemente family following the death of Roberto.

  Nixon constantly had his toe dipped in the sports world. He would write Hall of Fame coach Don Shula congratulatory letters, or call him before big games. He’d delay staff meetings if an NFL game was on, and often attended big sports events. Though he loved football more than he did baseball, the Clemente story had caught his eye. When the idea of a Presidential Citizens Medal was forged, to Nixon and many others, Clemente was a natural choice. The medal was then, as it is now, the second-highest civilian award in the United States. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the first.

  Vera stood toward the front of the Oval Office, near Nixon, when Nixon began with some very simple words.

  “Ladies and gentlemen: We are here for the presentation of the first posthumous Presidential Citizens Medal, and I am very honored and this office is honored that that first medal—which we know will be awarded in the future to distinguished Americans for their service—that first medal goes to Roberto Clemente. I would like to read the citation, because it is better than any speech I could make, I think, with regard to Roberto Clemente:

  “‘Citizens Medal citation, Roberto Clemente: All who saw Roberto Clemente in action, whether on the diamond or on the front lines of charitable endeavor, are richer for the experience. He stands with that handful of men whose brilliance has transformed the game of baseball into a showcase of skill and spirit, giving universal delight and inspiration. More than that, his selfless dedication to helping those with two strikes against them in life blessed thousands and set an example for millions. As long as athletes and humanitarians are honored, Roberto Clemente’s memory will live; as long as Citizens Medals are presented, each will mean a little more because this first one went to him.’”

  Nixon turned to a smiling Vera and presented the medal to her. Some of the Pirates players were there as well, looking on proudly. After the pause, Nixon continued.

  “Let me say our only regret is that he isn’t here—but he’s really here—I think he is here in this room. Don’t you think so? I think he would be proud to be the first American to get this medal, too, the first one.”

  Then began a series of speeches. Senator Hugh Scott: “Mr. President, I think the story of Roberto Clemente is too well-known for repeating, and he died, as we all know, on a compassionate errand. In that errand, for Nicaraguan relief, he had raised, himself, a hundred and fifty thousand dollars and twenty-six tons of clothing. And it should be noted that the first contribution to that fund came from the President and Mrs. Nixon, in addition to which, very near to his heart, was the Puerto Rican sports center to which he gave much time and thought, because he believed that if kids didn’t particularly like one sport while another one appealed to them, in one way or another they would get more active and learn what is to be gained from participating in that sport. So that we all are very proud of him. We all miss him, and I am glad Mrs. Clemente is here, and some of his teammates.”

  Then Commissioner Jaime Benítez: “I would like to say, Mr. President, on behalf of Puerto Rico, we are very honored by this occasion. We knew Clemente well and loved him as he has been loved by all of you, and we are particularly thankful to you for your great interest.”

  Then Nixon finished: “As you all know, ladies and gentlemen, when they do refer to the international character of this event, it should be noted that not only the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is to benefit from it, the city of Pittsburgh, in many respects, since Roberto Clemente grew to fame in that city, but Managua in Nicaragua, one of our friends to the south. And I think that is the way Roberto Clemente would have wanted it….”

  * * *

  IN 2002, PRESIDENT George W. Bush would present Vera with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to a civilian, in honor of Roberto. That day, this time in the East Room at the White House, Vera was joined in receiving the medal by the other recipients, who included a legendary chef, a pianist, a legendary actor, a playwright who used his talents to fight a Communist regime, a man who helped to build the first atomic bomb, a college
professor, a Supreme Court justice, and a Hall of Fame basketball coach.

  “Another recipient this afternoon would have been sixty-nine years old next month,” Bush said at the time. “Millions of Americans remember hearing the news that Roberto Clemente had been lost on a mission to help the people of Nicaragua after an earthquake. His full name was Roberto Clemente Walker, and in an era of Mays and Mantle and Aaron, he ranked as one of the greats. He was a young man with a quick bat, a rifle arm, and a gentle heart. In the words of one baseball executive, ‘I never saw any ballplayer like him. No, sir. Whenever anybody signs a big contract these days, we always wonder how many millions Clemente would be worth.’ As a former team owner, it would be a lot. Yet the true worth of this man, seen in how he lived his life and how he lost his life, cannot be measured in money. And all these years later, his family can know that America cherishes the memory of Roberto Clemente.”

  FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI: His deeds and actions as a humanitarian and ballplayer have inspired generations of Americans.

  TONY BARTIROME: Here’s what I’ll mostly remember about Roberto. He was a good family man, and he really loved his three boys. He’d sometimes bring them into the clubhouse, and he always had this look in his eye when they were there. Those are the moments I’ll remember most.

  MANNY SANGUILLÉN: I wish he had lived longer so more people could have known him. If you got to know Roberto, you loved him.

  STEVE BLASS: The things he did on the field were remarkable but it’s what he did off the field that was even more impressive. I think if he were alive today, he’d be an ambassador for the sport. He’d be one of the most respected people in all of sports.

  VERA CLEMENTE: One of the stories that people don’t really know is something that happened when Roberto was flying once to the Dominican Republic. There was an older woman on the flight with her daughter, and Roberto began talking to them. He liked them and said he would stay in touch with them.

  A few days later on the flight back, Roberto is sitting toward the front of the plane. There’s some commotion in the back and Roberto asks the [flight attendant] what’s happening. There was a woman in the back of the plane who was very ill. The plane lands and he sees it was the same woman Roberto got to know on the plane ride out.

  Roberto rode in the ambulance with the woman and her daughter to the hospital. She had a heart attack. While at the hospital, Roberto learned about her life and background. She had spent so much of her life helping the poor in Puerto Rico. Just as Roberto had done. Roberto told me, “She was like my mother.”

  The woman’s last wish was to have music at her funeral. Roberto made the woman’s wish come true by giving her the music.

  Everything Roberto did was from the heart. Baseball…helping people…everything.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The Clemente family would like to thank the fans who for decades have kept loving and admiring Roberto’s memory. Fans are motivated and inspired to emulate him by becoming responsible citizens who love others. Thanks to the couples who give their newborn babies Roberto’s name as a blessing, to the institutions that lend their names to various facilities and programs throughout the world, and to Major League Baseball and to Japan’s Professional Baseball League for creating an award in his name to be given to the player that best exemplifies Roberto’s qualities. A special mention to Liberia, Africa, for recognizing Roberto as a civil rights advocate by creating a coin in his honor. A very special thanks to Manheim, Germany, for creating the first facility to ever take his name just a few days after the accident. Thanks to our brothers from Nicaragua, for their prevailing solidarity, to the Pittsburgh fans who made it their business to spread his love and integrity to different generations, and to Roberto’s former teammates for their help on this book, particularly Manny Sanguillén and Steve Blass. Thanks also to former Pirates trainer, Tony Bartirome.

  A special thanks also goes to the Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh and Duane Rieder, who runs it. Also to family advisers Michael Hermann and Chuck Berry.

  The writer would like to thank the Clemente family for their hospitality and graciousness during his visit to Puerto Rico, especially Luis Clemente, who patiently played tour guide.

  The brain trust at Penguin Group (USA)/Celebra was diligent and thoughtful. Thank you to publisher Raymond A. Garcia and editor Brent Howard, who handled the manuscript with great skill.

  Roberto Clemente often thanked and appreciated the players who came before him. If Clemente were alive, he would do the same now by thanking the Puerto Rican baseball players who helped pave the way for him to be great.

  To all our family Zabala and Clemente, to our extended family—Dorsey, Garland, Coolong, Bass, Rouch, Kantrowitz, Isaac, Adrejasik, Angie Gialloretto, and Susan Wagner.

  To Ramiro Martínez, Luis Rodríguez Mayoral, Benjamín Quintana, and his family.

  A HUGE thank-you to Víctor “Vitín” Enríquez and Nydia Allende and her family—for always being present, from the moment of [Clemente’s] disappearance to this day.

  To the families of Roberto’s eternal companion: Jerry Hill, Rafaél Lozano, Arthur Rivera, and Francisco Matías. We will always have you close to our hearts!

  A special thanks to Puerto Rico and the people, who are proud when his name is mentioned, every time they travel, and no matter how far they go. When they say they are from Puerto Rico, they say they are from the land of Roberto Clemente. Students are inspired when they read his story; athletes feel an indescribable feeling when they represent Puerto Rico. We want to urge you to continue showcasing the values of our culture, that same culture Roberto represented and continues to represent throughout the world. May God bless you always!

  NOTES

  CHAPTER ONE: LOVE

  18 They became friends Bruce Markusen, Roberto Clemente: The Great One, p. 10.

  23 Our conversations always David Maraniss, Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero, p. 220.

  CHAPTER SIX: EMERGENCE

  180 The letter continued Roberto Clemente FBI file number 92-6347.

  CHAPTER SEVEN: PREMONITIONS

  194 “You know everything about baseball” Bill Christine, “Remembering Roberto,” Los Angeles Times, December 25, 1992.

  EPILOGUE: 21

  251 “Ladies and gentlemen” President Richard Nixon, transcript, the American Presidency Project.

  254 “Another recipient this afternoon” George W. Bush, transcript, the American Presidency Project.

  BIBLIOGRAPHY

  Maraniss, David. Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006.

  Markusen, Bruce. Roberto Clemente: The Great One. New York: Sports Publishing LLC, 1998.

  Markusen, Bruce. The Team That Changed Baseball: Roberto Clemente and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates. Yardley, PA: Westholme Publishing, 2009.

  Miller, Ira. Roberto Clemente. New York: Tempo Books, 1973.

  Musick, Phil. Who Was Roberto? New York: Doubleday & Company, 1974.