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Cpl Angel Sierra
to remember
Marine PFC Roberto Clemente.
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Contact Info
Home Town Barrio San Anton, Carolina
Last Address Maintained by: Find A Grave Record added: Jan 01, 2001 Find A Grave Memorial# 2576 http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2576
Date of Passing Dec 31, 1972
Location of Interment San Juan National Cemetery (VA) - N/A, Puerto Rico
During the winter season of 1958-59, Clemente didn't play winter baseball on the Caguas team; instead, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He spent his six-month active duty commitment at Parris Island, South Carolina, Camp LeJeune in North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. At Parris Island, Clemente received his basic training with Platoon 346 of the 3rd Recruit Battalion. The rigorous training programs helped Clemente physically; he added strength by gaining ten pounds and said his back troubles had disappeared. He was a Private First Class in the Marine Corps Reserve until September 1964
Sharpshooter? Roberto Clemente narrowly missed Expert ranking in the U.S. Marine Corps.
During the off season, Clemente played with the Santurce Crabbers in the Puerto Rican baseball winter league, where he was already considered a star. He was traded to the Criollos de Caguas team (Caribbean baseball) and played for them during the 1957-1958 season. The Pirates experienced several difficult seasons through the 1950s, although they did manage a winning season in 1958, their first since 1948.
Other Comments:
Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame
Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente
Class of 2003
Outfield
Pittsburgh
Roberto Clemente. . .Was a twelve time National League All-Star. . . Won the National League MVP in 1966. . .Was a twelve time Gold Glove winner. . .Was named the 1971 World Series MVP. . .Clemente died tragically on a relief trip taking aid to earthquake victims.. .Born August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. . .Died December 31, 1972 at age of 38.
Statistics
GAMES HITS AVG HRs RBIs Career 2433 3000 .317 240 1305
Roberto Clemente was born in Barrio San Anton in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934. He joined the Marine Corps on 12 September 1958, and as an infantryman he would serve on active duty at Camp Lejeune until 1959; he would remain in the reserves until September 1964.
From 1952 - 1953 he played amateur baseball with Juncos Double A Club and would eventually play with the Santurce Crabbers in the Puerto Rican Winter League. From Santurce he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was later assigned to play for their top affiliate, the Montreal Royals.
In 1954, the Pittsburgh Pirates chose Clemente as their number one draft pick. Joining the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, Clemente would go on to play his entire eighteen-year Major League Baseball career with them from 1955 to 1972. Clemente played in two World Series, batting a .310 in 1960, and a .414 in 1971. His baseball accomplishments include: 4 time National League Batting Champion, twelve Gold Gloves, National League MVP in 1966 and was chosen as the MVP in the 1971 World Series.
Aside from baseball, Clemente was heavily involved in charity events and humanitarian organizations, and while on a humanitarian mission, Clemente's career came to a tragic end. On December 31, 1972, he was taking medical, food, and clothing supplies to earthquake stricken Nicaragua, when the plane he was on crashed at sea.
Clemente is remembered as one of the greatest athletes and humanitarians of all time. One of Clemente's dreams, the Roberto Clemente Sports City, is part of the legacy he leaves behind. A twelve-foot statue of Clemente, greets visitors to Carolina, Puerto Rico as they enter into a 304-acre sports complex.
