Roberto Clemente Day Obseerved In Pittsburgh, Across PA And MLB

PITTSBURGH, PA — The late Pirates outfielder was remembered yesterday in Pittsburgh, across Pennsylvania and by Major League Baseball.

For more than two decades, MLB has recognized Sept. 15 as Roberto Clemente Day. The Pennsylvania House in June adopted a resolution formally took the same step. The date coincides with the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Clemente, a Puerto Rico native, was 38 when he died in a plane crash on New 1972 while delivering emergency aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, become the first Latin American to be so honored.

On Friday morning, Pirates Clemente Award nominee David Bednar and Pirates staff will visit patients at the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute. The group handed out pastries, coffee and ticket vouchers to cancer institute staff and patients and also delivered care/comfort packages to patients.

Friday is the Pirates' Day of Service involving every player and coach on the team. Efforts included a renovation project to improve the Southside Nike RBI field, a food preparation and re-stocking service event at a Women’s Center & Shelter, a care package build at PNC Park in support of active military service members and women and a pantry and toy donation at the Pittsburgh Latino Community Center.

All players and on-field personnel across baseball will wear “21” patches on their uniform chests on Friday in honor of Clemente, who donned that number throughout his career.