Altoona Curve honors Pirates legend Roberto Clemente, retires No. 21

ALTOONA — It has been more than 50 years since Roberto Clemente died tragically in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve in 1972, but Roberto Clemente Jr. still became emotional while a video tribute played on the scoreboard at PNG Field.

The Clemente family was in attendance as the Altoona Curve, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Double-A affiliate, retired No. 21 on Friday in honor of the Pirates legend.

The No. 21 was unveiled on a light standard in right field, 21 feet off the ground.

“Roberto Clemente is one of the most impactful people in the Pirates’ rich history, a tradition we are thrilled to help write each season in Altoona,” Curve general manager Nate Bowen said.

Clemente, known to Pirates fans as “The Great One,” played right field throughout his career. He won the National League MVP award in 1966, played in 2,433 games, had 3,000 hits, 240 home runs, 1,305 RBIs and a career batting average of .317.

“We are very honored as a family and for this great organization to retire my dad’s number,” Clemente Jr. said. “It makes for a fantastic opportunity for kids and adults alike that don’t know the story about my dad. Now they can look in right field and ask the question, ‘Why is that number there?’

“Being able to Google it, they can find a lot of stories. We are grateful for the honor.”

Clemente started his career with the Pirates in 1955 and played 18 years. He was a named to the National League All-Star team 15 times and won a Gold Glove 12 times.

He was a four-time batting champion and led the Pirates to World Series titles in 1960 and 1971. He was the World Series MVP in 1971 after hitting .414 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.

“It’s amazing to me that it seems is legacy gets stronger,” Clemente Jr. said. “Every year, we get more and more letters from people and organizations wanting to name their streets, their leagues, their schools after him.

“We’re talking 50 years after his death. This man died at 38, and he accomplished a lot. And it amazes me that his legacy continues.”

Clemente Jr. is pleased that MLB honors his dad on Sept. 15 every season. He said he wouldn’t be disappointed if his number was retired leaguewide.

“I’ve talked to people about it,” he said. “A lot of fans and people have talked about it a lot. As a family, we would be honored.

“Understanding the meaning of the name, baseball is secondary to the good will the Clemente name has. The state of Pennsylvania has named Sept. 15 Roberto Clemente Day, and I’m proud of that. I’m lobbying for that for the National Holiday.”

Sept. 15 is the first day of Hispanic Heritage and it’s also Roberto Clemente Day in Major League Baseball.

Clemente died in a plane crash taking supplies to Managua, Nicaragua, after the country was struck by an earthquake. He raised $150,000 toward the relief effort.