http://hispanicohio.northcoastnow.com/
April 8, 2011
Back in 1973 it was my privilege, and sad duty, to write a biography of Roberto Clemente, who on Dec. 31, 1972 died in a tragic plane crash while trying to fly relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
My book, Clemente! The Enduring Legacy, was based on interviews with grief stricken loved ones: his mother, his little league coach, his trainer, and teammates from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The book sold well, but eventually went out of print.
In December 2009 I was surprised to be invited by Danny Torres, a Bronx-based school teacher and prolific sports writer to speak before a group of people who for the past nine years have held tributes to Clemente, close to the anniversary of his death. Afterwards, Danny commented that the book might still be of interest. Markus Wiener, the Princeton-based publisher of my books on Puerto Rico, he agreed to reissue the book, providing I could expand and update it.
I received valuable information, especially from Danny Torres and Luis Rodriguez-Mayoral, a retired big league executive who knew Clemente and is a historian of Latinos in baseball. During my research I was pleased to learn that Clemente’s legacy has indeed endured. Numerous schools around the country are named in his honor. The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes the Major League Baseball player who combines a dedication to sports with help for the community. In Puerto Rico, the Sports City, founded by Clemente and supported by his widow and sons, serves about 200,000 young people each year.
In Managua Nicaragua, there is a Roberto Clemente Clinic, honoring him for his effort to help earthquake victims in 1972. Thousands are patients are seen at the clinic each year. The Bard College Clemente Course in the Humanities, founded in 1995, grew out of the disturbing fact that in our society many low-income residents have limited access to college education. Since then time, Bard has offered the course 108 times, in 14 states and the District of Columbia. 2,380 students have enrolled in the course; 1,490 have graduated with certificates of achievement; 1,290 have earned college credits. Of these,
1,100 have already transferred to four-year colleges and universities in order to continue work towards a degree.
In 1955, when Clemente entered the big leagues, among the 400 players in 16 teams there were only 29 Latinos (7%). Clemente was the first Latino superstar, and his example inspired so many others. Today, more than 25% of major league players are Latinos and there is a growing number of managers and coaches.
Clemente is revered in Pittsburgh, where he played for his entire major league career. A magnificent bronze statue of Clemente adorns the front of PNC Park, the Pirates’ stadium. The 6th Street Bridge was renamed in his memory. The City of Pittsburgh maintains Roberto Clemente Memorial Park along North Shore Drive.
There is currently a movement to retire Roberto’s number. Opinions are divided on this issue. But no matter the outcome, there is no denying that his legacy as a hero and civil rights activist will endure forever.
The final word belongs to Roberto Clemente: “Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on this Earth.”
Kal Wagenheim, a journalist, is also the author of numerous plays and screenplays, and the author or translator of eight books. His novel, “The Secret Life of Walter Mott” and biography “Clemente! The Enduring Legacy” were published in 2010. He can be reached atKalwagenheim@cs.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment