by Robert Steadman

Created on: February 22, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2009

Looking at the Pittsburgh Pirates they have 41 players in the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. With that many players it's really hard to say who is the all-time best. I remember when they had Bobby Bonilla and Barry Bonds they were known as the "Killer B's". They also had players like Jay Bell, Steve Buechelle, and many other players on that roster. Its hard to belive that the Pirates only retired 9 numbers, thats not counting Jackie Robinson.

I feel that Roberto Clemente has to be one the best players on any Pirate team of all time. Roberto was discovered by the Brooklyn Dodgers, He played on their minor league team. after their season was over, Roberto was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954 MLB rookie draft. Roberto Clemente spent his whole 18 year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In Roberto's career; he is a 12-time All-Star in; 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972. Robert Clemente helped his team to win two World Series Championships in 1960 and 1971. Roberto Clemente was also a 12-time Gold Glove winner; 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972. Roberto won the National League MVP in 1966. Roberto was named the 1971 World Series MVP. Roberto Clemente hit safely in all of the 1960 and the 1971 World Series. In the 1971 World Series, Roberto hit 2 homeruns in the Series. Roberto Clemente did not hit a homerun in the 1960 World Series. In Roberto's career; He has hit a .317 batting average, 3,000 hits, and, 240 homeruns. Roberto's last game was in Oct 3, 1972. That was a play-off game against the Cincinnati Reds which they lost in the N.L. Championship Series 3 games to 2 games.

Roberto Clemente had a brilliant 18 year career with the Pirates. During the off-season Roberto will do alot of charity work. He was in Managua, which is the capital city of Nicaragua, Managua was affected by a massive earth quake on Dec 23,1972.Where as Roberto has been for 3 weeks before the quake, Roberto immedaitely set to work arranging the emergancy relief flights. Roberto will soon learned that the aid packages on the first three flights had been diverted by corrupt officials of the Somoza government, and never reaching the victims of the quake. Roberto decided to accompany the fourth relief flight, hoping that his presence would ensure that the aid would be dilivered to the Survivors.

The Airplane that Roberto had charted for a New year's Eve flight, a Douglas DC-7, had a history of mechanical problems and sub-par flight personnel, and was overloaded by 5,000 pounds. The plan crashed into the ocean off the coast Isla Verde, Puerto Rico immediately after takeoff. On Dec 31, 1972, a few days after the crash the body of the pilot was found. An empty flight case apparently belonging to Roberto Clemente was the only personal item found from the crash.

Manny Sanguillen a catcher, teammate, and best friend of Roberto; was the only member of the Pirates did not go to memorial service. Manny instead dove into the ocean waters where Roberto Clemente's plane had crashed, in a effort to find his teammate and best friend. Roberto Clemente's body was never found.

3 months after Roberto's death, Major League Baseball, decided not wait for his eligibilty to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. Since his death the Pirates would not win another World Series till 1979. Roberto Clemente will always be remembered as a Pirate. Roberto will never be forgotten by Major League Baseball. There is a statue of him in front of the PNC park in Pittsburgh.

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