Clemente Family Honored at Friday Night's Pirates & Yankees Game

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 native of Pittsburgh and the Pirates' nominee for the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award, remarked, "You understand the scope of Clemente and you understand what he meant to this community, but as you go to more events and you hear people talk, you realize it’s not just Pittsburgh. It’s not just Puerto Rico. It’s the entire world that he’s impacted."

In a poignant display of unity and remembrance, the Pittsburgh Pirates dedicated the day to the memory of their Hall of Fame right fielder, Roberto Clemente, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while on a humanitarian mission to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Nearly 50 members of the Pirates organization, including several players, engaged in various community outreach activities as part of this day of service.

During the game, every Pirates player, as well as New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Kyle Higashioka, donned Clemente's iconic No. 21 jersey in a touching tribute. The symbolic No. 21 was also spray-painted onto the outfield grass just in front of the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall at PNC Park.

Roberto Clemente Day stands as one of the most cherished and celebrated occasions in the Major League Baseball season. On this day, all 30 MLB teams unite in honoring the enduring memory and contributions of one of the sport's all-time greats.

For more information on Roberto Clemente Day and related events, please visit https://robertoclementefoundation.com/



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