By The Associated PressWednesday, March 21, 2007
NEW YORK — The Pittsburgh Pirates' decision to rename a stadium bar in honor of Roberto Clemente could spark a numbers problem.
The Pirates announced Monday that the space will be known as Club 21 in honor of the Hall of Famer. The area, which overlooks right field, had been known as the Montecristo Club, a cigar and martini bar. The Montecristo Club is closing because the Pirates are banning all smoking at PNC Park this season to comply with a countywide ban on smoking in most public places.
The decision to replace the cigar bar with Club 21 could cause an issue with the "21" Club restaurant, a New York City institution and former Prohibition-era speakeasy.
"Attorneys for '21' Club have expressed some concern because this is a commercial venture for the Pirates as well as a restaurant," restaurant spokeswoman Diana Biederman said today. "They are looking into the matter."
Clemente, who wore No. 21 and played right field, died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 during a trip to deliver relief supplies to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. He had 3,000 hits in 18 major league seasons.
The Pirates said the bar will include his locker and 21 taps of beers.
"Obviously we'll check with our legal counsel. We haven't been contacted by anybody," Pirates spokeswoman Patty Paytas said. "The club was developed because it overlooks right field and is in tribute to our right fielder, who wore No. 21 his entire career."
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