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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Angel Cruz |
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Cruz: Pa. House adopts resolution urging MLB
to retire Clemente’s number
HARRISBURG, Oct. 16 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted a resolution today introduced by state Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., urging Major League Baseball to retire Roberto Clemente’s jersey number 21, which he wore as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Clemente, who played for the Pirates from 1955 until his tragic and unexpected death in 1972, was posthumously elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973. Born in Puerto Rico, he won the 1966 National League MLB Most Valuable Player award and became the first Latin American to be elected to the Hall of Fame. He is the only inductee to have been granted a waiver on the mandatory five-year postretirement waiting period instituted in 1954.
Tragically, Clemente died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while on a humanitarian aid mission to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Cruz said that aside from being a talented athlete, Clemente was very active in community service and humanitarian work all across the world.
“Roberto Clemente was more than a great baseball player. He was a humanitarian who gave so much of himself for those in need,” Cruz said. “He is a true role model who opened the door for so many Latin American baseball players and yet, at the same time, displayed unyielding commitment to helping others. In light of the steroid scandals and other issues that give many professional athletes a black eye, Clemente should serve as an example for the athletes of today – with fame and fortune comes great responsibility.”
Cruz said that several years ago, MLB retired the jersey number of Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American player in the league and was a symbol for social and civil rights in America. Every MLB stadium has a special marker commemorating Robinson’s contribution to baseball, and no MLB player is allowed to wear Robinson’s jersey number 42.
“It was a wonderful tribute to Jackie Robinson when the entire league retired his number,” Cruz said. “I think that Roberto Clemente deserves the same recognition. Not only was he an amazing baseball player, but his death was a result of his inherent desire to help others.
“I would like to thank the members of the House for unanimously adopting this resolution as we close out Hispanic Heritage Month,” he added. “I am hopeful that Major League Baseball will recognize Roberto Clemente for his great talent and even more impressive humanitarian work.”
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CONTACT: Bill Thomas |