Clemente Air Crash Death: 50th Anniversary Marked

PITTSBURGH, PA — Last weekend, Pittsburgh celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception and the legacy of Steelers great Franco Harris. This weekend marks a far more somber anniversary in Pittsburgh sports: the death of Roberto Clemente.

One of the greatest Pittsburgh Pirates players of all time, Clemente died on Dec. 31, 1972, when his plane crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico as he was attempting to transport relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was 38.

Clemente, inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame a year after his death, left an indelible mark on the sport. He had exactly 3,000 hits, won four National League batting titles, won 12 Gold Gloves and an MVP award. Clemente made 15 All-Star Game appearances and helped lead the Pirates to two World Series titles.

In Pittsburgh, his legacy is preserved at the Clemente Museum, located in a converted fire house in Lawrenceville. The nonprofit organization contains artifacts, literature, art work and other materials focusing on Clemente's baseball career, his personal life and the humanitarian efforts that sadly led to his death.

Major League Baseball celebrates Roberto Clemente Day at every stadium each Sept. 15, the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. In September, the Pirates, Allegheny County and city of Pittsburgh officials commemorated the 50th anniversary of his 3,000th- and final - major league hit.