Roberto Clemente Day Celebrated in Belle Glade: Honoring a Legend

Baseball fans nationwide, including those in Belle Glade, observe September 15 as Roberto Clemente Day. The annual observance honors the late Pittsburgh Pirates legend and Baseball Hall of Famer, recognizing his charitable contributions and enduring legacy through the Roberto Clemente Foundation.

Clemente, who wore number 21, played for the Pirates from 1955 to 1972. His career statistics include Pirates franchise records for hits (3,000), total bases (4,492), and singles (2,154).

He stands among 33 MLB players with 3,000 career hits. Clemente contributed to the Pirates' World Series championships in 1960 and 1971. He led the National League in hits in 1964 and 1967.

Clemente's career 95 wins above replacement rank second in Pirates history and 37th in MLB. He is third in Pirates history with 1,416 runs scored, 1,305 RBIs, 440 doubles, and 166 triples. He earned four NL batting titles (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967).

In 1968, Clemente led NL position players with 8.2 WAR. He recorded double-digit triples in 10 seasons, topping the NL with 12 triples in 1969. Clemente amassed 12 Gold Glove awards and received 15 All-Star selections.

He played all 18 of his MLB seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente achieved 200 or more hits in four seasons: 1961, 1964, 1966, and 1967. He hit 240 career home runs.

He maintained a .300 or higher batting average in 13 of his 18 seasons. His career regular-season batting average was .317, tied for 66th in MLB history. In postseason play, he hit .318 over 113 plate appearances.

Clemente won the 1966 National League MVP Award. He earned the 1971 World Series MVP, hitting .414 with two home runs and four RBIs in the seven-game series.

MLB renamed the "Commissioner's Award" to the "Roberto Clemente Award" in 1973. The award honors players who embody his commitment to community and helping others. Each MLB team nominates a player annually.

Clemente leads MLB history with 2,305 appearances in right field. He and Honus Wagner share the Pirates' franchise record for games played at 2,433.

Major League Baseball players across all games played on September 15 wore a No. 21 patch on their jerseys to commemorate the day.