Research Guides: Roberto Clemente: Biography

Roberto Clemente (August 18, 1934 - December 31, 1972)

Alvarez In the decade and a half before his 1971 World Series heroics, Clemente yearned for the kind of acknowledgment won by a Mays or a Mantle. Certainly, he was deserving of such acclaim. Had he been playing in New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago rather than in a city far removed from the national spotlight, he might have been a high-profile player earlier in his career. Compounding the problem was his ethnic background. Clemente was keenly aware of his roots, and his ethnicity; he even insisted that his three sons (who were two, five, and six when he died) be born in Puerto Rico. Continue . . .

Source: Edelman, Rob. "Clemente, Roberto (1934–1972)." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, edited by Thomas Riggs, 2nd ed., vol. 1, St. James Press, 2013, pp. 619-621. From Gale Virtual Reference Library database.

Book Collection

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero

Roberto Clemente: The Story of a Champion

Resources

Sports History and Roberto Clemente: A Morality Tale and a Way Forward The article examines the relationship between sports history and ethics and the significance of the life and career of former professional baseball player Roberto Clemente in cultural history and meaning. The author also discusses issues raised in an essay concerning sports history by scholar Amy Bass, the cultural importance of sports to communities, and the organization the North American Society for Sport History (NASSH).
Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente As a professional baseball player, Clemente ranks among the best of all time. He was, in baseball parlance, a “complete player” and his record proves it in multiples.
Clemente's Overzealous Romp The article gives detailed account of only walk off inside the park grand slam in baseball history by baseball player, Roberto Clemente of baseball team, Pittsburgh Pirates on July 25, 1956. It states that Mr. Clemente overlooked the stop sign by his team manager, Booby Bragan and walked of from the field when he scored winning home run against baseball team, Chicago Cubs. It mentions views of baseball player, Jim Brosnan of Chicago Cubs and sports writer, Bruce Markusen on the events.
An Unforeseen Catalyst, an Opportunity for Change: The evolution of Roberto Clemente State Park The article talks about the transformation of the Roberto Clemente State Park in New York City, which was brought about due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Topics discussed include the project being undertaken by Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects (MNLA) in collaboration with design professionals, and goals of the redesign including reconnecting the park and the Harlem River and identifying environmental and educational interventions.
The King of Béisbol The article discusses the batting helmet of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball player Roberto Clemente, which is held by the U.S. National Museum of American History and will appear in the exhibition "American Stories," opening April 5, 2012. It comments on Clemente's humanitarian efforts and his death in an airplane crash off the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1972. The author notes that Clemente ruined several helmets during a slump in his rookie season in 1955. Clemente's importance as a Latino baseball player is also noted.
Society for American Baseball Research: Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente's greatness transcended the diamond. On it, he was electrifying with his penchant for bad-ball hitting, his strong throwing arm from right field, and the way he played with a reckless but controlled abandon. Off it, he was a role model to the people of his homeland and elsewhere. Helping others represented the way Clemente lived. It would also represent the way he died.
MLB Remembers the Legacy of Roberto Clemente Major League Baseball remembers the legacy of Roberto Clemente and his impact in the baseball community.

From Films On Demand database:

Grandioso Roberto Clemente was baseball's first great Latin star. Most Latino players came from the Dominican Republic. In 1997, 15 players chosen for the All Star team were Latinos. Distributed by PBS Distribution.