Each year, Major League Baseball recognized the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, charity and community outreach. That honor is known as the Roberto Clemente Award.
Roberto Clemente was born in Puerto Rico in 1934. By 1955 he was playing professional baseball in the United States and in 1966 he was recognized as the National League's MVP.
Clemente was the first Latin player to start in and win a World Series. He was the first Latin player to collect 3000 hits. He was the first Latin player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
All of these great accomplishments are not what Roberto Clemente is famous for, however. What Clemente did best was help others. Astros legend Craig Biggio, the 2007 recipient of the Clemente Award, said "as great of a player as he was, he was a bigger man off the field in his generosity and his time and giving back to the community."
Tragically, Roberto Clemente was killed in a plane crash on New Year's Eve, 1972 while delivering aid to earthquake survivors in Nicaragua.
Today as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, we remember Roberto Clemente.
