Clemente's son hopes museum catches on

Roberto Clemente, Jr. visits the future site of the Roberto Clemente museum in the Strip District Friday, February 23, 2007.

By Rick Starr
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, February 24, 2007


Pittsburgh renamed the Sixth Street Bridge in his memory, and the PNC Park right field wall stands 21-feet high to reflect the number worn by legendary Pirates outfielder Roberto Clemente.

Now his son, Roberto Clemente Jr., believes the time has come to create a museum in Pittsburgh to honor his father's legacy.

"A museum is something that could fit perfectly with school programs, a place where students could gain insight into my father's life and the lessons he taught us all," Clemente Jr., 41, said Friday after speaking to about 140 Bethel Park middle school students.

Clemente, a native of Puerto Rico, became the second Hispanic player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 and the only exception to the mandatory five-year post-retirement waiting period. He died in a plane crash off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 31, 1972, while attempting to deliver aid to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. His body was never recovered.

Yesterday, his son led students on a tour around the potential museum site in the former Engine 25 fire station on Penn Avenue in Lawrenceville.

"I think this site is perfect," Clemente Jr. said. "It's a beautiful building. It's just the right size."

He plans to hold an open house at the former firehouse at 10:30 a.m. today for anyone who wants to see his father's memorabilia.

Built in 1896, the firehouse serves as the studio for its owner, commercial photographer Duane Rieder, who produced a Roberto Clemente calendar in 1993 and assists the family as archivist.

"Today was a test," Rieder said. "We're trying to figure out if this thing has legs, and after today I'm positive it can work. But if this firehouse is going to be the Clemente Museum, I'll have to move out."

Clemente Jr. said he's seeking grants for the project, or a financial partner.

The photo studio houses a sizable collection of Clemente memorabilia, including bats, wedding photographs, uniforms, personal correspondence and one of his 12 Gold Glove awards.

"There's a photo of my father in a fireman's helmet which we'd like to enlarge (to) the size of a wall," Clemente Jr. said. "It's an impressive collection."

If the museum opens, Clemente Jr. said the collection will include the automobile his father won as the Most Valuable Player of the 1971 World Series.

Clemente Jr. said the response of the Neil Armstrong Middle School students was the most gratifying part of the museum's trial run.

"It was a chance to talk to them about the example my father left us, about being better people, and the decisions they'll have to face at a very young age," he said.

The Pirates honored Clemente with a statue that stands outside PNC Park, and retired his No. 21 in 1973. The city maintains Roberto Clemente Memorial Park along North Shore Drive.


Rick Starr can be reached at rstarr@tribweb.com or (724) 226-4691.