Celebrating Roberto Clemente's Legacy

As a former college baseball player at SUNY Canton, I have been fortunate enough to experience some incredibly unique opportunities that have been a part of my life journey so far.  This past weekend was filled with some of those very special times. L→ R: Francesco Palumbo, Victor Rivera, Ken Griffey Sr., Luis Clemente, and Roberto Clemente Jr. during a clinic hosted by the Roberto Clemente Foundation in Munhall, PA. Photo by Zach Schrader (Instagram: @724.prodcutions) This story begins in 2014.  At that time, SUNY Canton's Head Coach Joe Carbone and Assistant Coach Victor Rivera had been talking about going to Puerto Rico for our annual Spring Training trip.  My friend Bobby Clemente was also on the team, and our coaches were working with his father, Luis, to develop these plans.   L→ R: Francesco Palumbo, Bobby Clemente, and Luis Clemente at the inaugural Clemente Cup tournament in 2016. Photo by Bobby Clemente.  Luis is the second of Roberto and Vera Cle...

Last weekend, Pittsburgh played host to a series of memorable celebrations in honor of the legendary Roberto Clemente. The events were organized under the leadership of Roberto Clemente Foundation President Tom Brasuell and took place with an unbelievable amount of support and participation: Thursday: The festivities commenced with the Clemente Gala Dinner and Award Show, setting the stage for an unforgettable weekend. L→ R: Roberto Clemente Jr., Roberto Clemente III, Andrew McCutchen, Maria McCutchen, Harold Reynolds, Richard "Crazy Legs" Colón, and Luis Clemente at the Roberto Clemente Foundation Gala at the Senator John Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum on Thursday, September 14th.  Roberto Clemente Foundation President, Tom Brasuell, with the McCutchens.  Friday: Clemente Day was celebrated across Major League Baseball and Pennsylvania with a Day of Service led by the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Clemente Foundation, highlighting the enduring l...

The Roberto Clemente Foundation's remarkable weekend celebration came to a heartwarming conclusion on Sunday with the Roberto Clemente 2.1K Charity Walk. After four days of festivities, the walk provided the perfect closing note to a weekend filled with purpose and camaraderie in Pittsburgh.  Thursday was kicked off in style with the Clemente Gala Dinner and Award Show, setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable few days. On Friday, Clemente Day was celebrated throughout Major League Baseball and the state of Pennsylvania with a Day of Service led by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Clemente Foundation, emphasizing the enduring impact of Roberto Clemente's legacy.  Saturday was all about the youth, as a clinic featuring Luis and Roberto Jr., sons of Roberto Clemente, Coach Ballgame, and the Major League Baseball Alumni Association took center stage, and Ken Griffey Sr. made a very special surprise appearance. Young athletes got the opportunity to hone their skills while lea...

The Roberto Clemente Foundation, in collaboration with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and Major League Baseball's Play Ball program, hosted an exhilarating youth baseball clinic on September 16th at the historic West Field in Munhall, PA. West Field, known as the former home of the Homestead Grays of the Negro League, provided a fitting backdrop for our event. Additionally, the unwavering continuous support of the Pittsburgh Pirates and The Ghost Players was a seamless extension of the Roberto Clemente Day festivities that unfolded throughout the weekend. Starting at 12 pm, the clinic welcomed boys and girls aged 6 to 12 who shared a passion for America's favorite pastime. An incredible lineup of coaches and instructors guided these young athletes throughout the day. Luis and Roberto Clemente Jr., the sons of the legendary Hall of Famer, Roberto Clemente, brought with them a legacy of excellence in baseball. They were committed to helping the next generati...

PITTSBURGH, PA – September 16, 2023 – The City of Pittsburgh, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Major League Baseball, proudly observed September 15th, 2023, as Roberto Clemente Day, paying heartfelt homage to the enduring legacy of the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder, Roberto Clemente. The day of tribute culminated through several ceremonies around the Pittsburgh Pirates' match against the New York Yankees at PNC Park. The Clemente Family on-field prior with Andrew McCutchen (2015 Clemente Award recipient & 2023 Clemente Hall of Fame inductee) and David Bednar (2023 Clemente Award nominee) to the Pirates-Yankees game on Friday night at PNC Park.  Marking the 22nd annual Roberto Clemente Day, the Clemente Family, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates, spearheaded a series of compassionate initiatives designed to honor Roberto Clemente's enduring impact on the world.  Reflecting on the global resonance of Clemente's legacy, David Bednar, a na...