After a brief podcast update, this episode provides the highlights from the life of Roberto Clemente, one of the first Latin American athletes to become a baseball star in the United States. Clemente grew up in Puerto Rico, and in 1955 he moved to the continental USA in order to play for Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates franchise. After initially struggling with injuries, the language barrier, & culture shock, Clemente became an All-Star right fielder during the 1960s. He was a standout offensive & defensive player who became a favorite of baseball fans throughout the Western Hemisphere. He also became a major civil rights advocate for his fellow Afro-Latinos. Shortly after leading the Pirates to the 1971 World Series title, Clemente led a relief mission to provide aid to the survivors of an earthquake in Nicaragua. Tragically, a cargo plane carrying supplies for the Nicaraguan people crashed with Clemente on board. Shortly after his premature death, Roberto Clemente was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and he is still widely remembered for his community service & humanitarian efforts.

Support the show