Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente Drive could be renamed to also honor legend's late wife

Pittsburgh City Council could vote as early as next week to rename Roberto Clemente Drive in Oakland as Roberto and Vera Clemente Drive to recognize the baseball legend’s wife, who died two years ago.

Roberto Clemente, a beloved icon in Pittsburgh, was a Hall of Fame outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates who also left behind a philanthropic legacy.

“I don’t need to speak on how beloved Roberto Clemente was,” James Hill, special assistant to Mayor Bill Peduto, said during a public hearing on the proposal Wednesday.

Family members asked the city if it would add Vera Clemente’s name to the street between South Bouquet Street and Schenley Drive. The street passes by what remains of the Forbes Field outfield wall.

“The family really described them as a duo,” Hill said of the husband and wife. “In accommodating with their wishes, we’re hoping City Council will rename the roadway.”

Roberto and Vera Clemente are survived by sons Roberto Jr., Luis and Roberto Enrique.

Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972. He was on a trip delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

After his death, Vera Clemente continued his legacy of charity, serving as the chairwoman of the Roberto Clemente Foundation and traveling on behalf of Major League Baseball as a Goodwill Ambassador.

She died in November 2019, at age 78.

“I’m glad attention is being paid to adding Vera Clemente,” Councilwoman Erika Strassburger said. “It’s well-deserved.”

Council President Theresa Kail-Smith asked for the measure to be put on City Council’s agenda for next week.