Bob Casey to present Senate with resolution honoring the life of Roberto Clemente

Ahead of the 50th anniversary of his 3,000th career hit on Sept. 30, a resolution is being presented in the U.S. Senate by Bob Casey (D-Pa.) to honor the athletic career and humanitarian impact of Roberto Clemente.

Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) have signed on as co-leads to pay homage to the Pittsburgh Pirates legend. Clemente played the entirety of his MLB career from 1955-72 with the Pirates.

The resolution also coincides with the annual Roberto Clemente Day, which is being celebrated throughout Major League Baseball on Thursday.

In part, the resolution reads: “That the Senate honors Roberto Clemente for his excellence in both sport and in citizenship on the 50th anniversary of his 3,000th and final regular season hit; and recognizes, during National Hispanic Heritage Month, the lasting impact that Roberto Clemente has had on baseball and the United States.”

A native of Puerto Rico, Clemente (1934-72) was a key piece of the Pirates’ World Series titles in 1960 and 1971, winning MVP honors for the latter Fall Classic.

He was a 15-time All-Star who won four National League batting titles and 12 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1961-72.

Clemente was crowned N.L. MVP in 1966 and held a career .317 batting average.

Related:

• Roberto Clemente: Keeping the Dream Alive

Off the baseball diamond, Clemente was well-known for his community involvement, particularly in Latin America, as he often donated food and clothing to families in need, as well as spreading the game of baseball by providing children with equipment.

A few days before Christmas 1972, a major earthquake devastated the Nicaraguan capital of Managua. Clemente quickly sprung to action, organizing a series of relief flights into the country.

Clemente realized the aid packages were not being distributed to victims of the tragedy and instead had been diverted by the corrupt government of Anastasio Somoza.

When Clemente boarded another plane bound for Nicaragua stocked with aid on New Year’s Eve, he hoped his presence would pressure officials to properly deliver the aid.

Clemente’s plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after taking off from Puerto Rico, killing everyone on board. His body was never found.

Shortly after his death, the Baseball Hall of Fame waived its usual five-year eligibility waiting period and Clemente was inducted with 92.7% of the vote, becoming the first Latino Hall-of-Famer in MLB history.

Additionally, Major League Baseball renamed its annual Commissioner’s Award the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s commitment to his team.”

On Sept. 15 of every year, Roberto Clemente Day, MLB announces its finalists for the award.

The resolution honoring Clemente, who served the U.S. in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1958-64, would come during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Thus, Casey, Toomey and Menendez seek to honor the man whose life cast such a large shadow, on and off the baseball field.