Pirates honoring life and legacy of Roberto Clemente with numerous Clemente Day events and activities
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- On Friday morning, Roberto Clemente Day started off strong with members of the team visiting Allegheny Health Networks Cancer Institute at the Allegheny General Hospital to hoist the Jolly Roger and raise some spirits.
Pirates pitcher and Roberto Clemente Award nominee David Bednar, along with Roberto Clemente Jr., took turns spreading cheer among patients and staff.
"We are just so fortunate to be in the position that we are in," said Bednar. "Any time you have the ability to pay it forward and give back and show support to the community that supports us all year is huge. Especially on Clemente Day, of course."
This is just one of many events the Pirates are participating in both on-and-off the field over the next few days. They have several tributes and giveaways in Clemente's honor planned during their three-game series this weekend with the New York Yankees.
The entire MLB will be celebrating Clemente and his legacy on Friday with tributes and players sporting his number, 21.
Even though Clemente is gone, dying tragically in a plane crash at age 38 while trying to deliver emergency aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, at AGH Friday morning, it is apparent that his legacy of giving back lives on.
"It is truly amazing," said Clemente Jr. "The extension of his legacy all throughout these years has been growing more and more every year and 50 years later, people are talking about a fresh image of him on the field, but what he was doing off the field is what actually comes forth first. We are so excited that the community work comes first and baseball comes second here and that's the way it should be."
For more information on Roberto Clemente Day and all the ways he is being celebrated this weekend, check out this link.
