Only one number is retired by every Major League team. That distinction has only been given to number 42, which the great Jackie Robinson wore. It is time for another number to be retired across the league.
21.
Many ordinary baseball fans may not see the significance in retiring the number, but the man who wore it exemplified everything that is right about baseball. That man was Roberto Clemente.
Clemente starred for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972. He was on two Pirates teams that won the World Series, and he won the World Series MVP in 1971. At the plate he was one of the best right handed hitters of his generation, winning four batting titles and ending his career with 3,000 hits. In the field, Clemente showed unbelievable grace and fluidity. With a strong arm and the willingness to run down any ball, he was the winner of 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1961 to 1972.
Despite all of his on-field accolades, Clemente made even more of an impact in the community.
Each offseason Clemente would dedicate his time to working with charities in Latin America. Being from Puerto Rico, he was one of the most popular people from the island, and he was always willing to give back to his home. He was an inspiration to many Latin American youngsters, which is part of the reason there are so many more in the Major Leagues today.
In December of 1972, just months after his 3,000th hit, Clemente was planning a trip to Nicaragua. Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, was affected by an earthquake on December 23. Clemente was quick to act, scheduling flights to start the relief process. After the first three flights loaded with care packages were sabotaged by the Nicaraguan government, Clemente himself decided that he would be on the fourth flight. They set off on December 31.
Not long after the flight departed from Puerto Rico, it crashed. Sinking into the water, Clemente's body was never recovered.
Since his death, Clemente has been honored in multiple ways. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously in 1973. The Pittsburgh Pirates made their right field wall at PNC Park 21 feet high in honor of the great right fielder. Lastly, the MLB has a Roberto Clemente Award that is given out each year. The award is given to the player that best exemplifies sportsmanship, philanthropy in the community, and contribution to his team.
For a man that was a role model for all of Latin America, the MLB needs to retire the number 21. The other honors have been nice gestures, but there is no greater salute than a player having his number retired. Clemente was the most humane person the game of baseball has ever seen, and it is only right that his number is retired across the league.
For the sake of humanity, and the sake of the greatness of Roberto Clemente, let's retire the number.
