Puerto Rican baseball player Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker* (1934–1972) spent 18 seasons as a right-fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and is known for his outstanding talent, humanitarian efforts, and trailblazing legacy.

The legendary ballplayer amassed exactly 3,000 hits, won four National League batting titles, and earned 12 Gold Glove Awards for his defensive brilliance. In 1966, he was named the National League Most Valuable Player, and he helped lead the Pirates to World Series championships in 1960 and 1971.

Off the field, Clemente was deeply committed to humanitarian causes, speaking out against racial injustice and helping communities in need. He tragically died in a plane crash on December 31, 1972, while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

In 1973, Clemente became the first Latin American player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. That same year, Major League Baseball honored him and secured his legacy by changing the name of its annual Commissioner’s Award for sportsmanship, skill, and community involvement to the Roberto Clemente Award.

*His full name reflects the Latin American custom of giving a person their father’s surname, followed by their mother’s maiden name.