Pirates, City Celebrate Life, Legacy Of Roberto Clemente
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Pirates are spending the day celebrating the life, legacy and commitment to community service of Roberto Clemente.
Arsenal Elementary School welcomed special guests on Roberto Clemente Day.
The legendary Pirate's widow, Vera Clemente, entered the auditorium with her sons, Roberto Enrique, Roberto Junior, and Luis.
Though they're elementary students, nearly every one of the kids in the auditorium knows the story of the All-Star and humanitarian who died when his plane went down, carrying supplies for earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
"Everything he did for others, still 43 years after he passed away, we're still really talking about it, because he was a great person," Roberto Jr. told the crowd. "He helped others."
On a lighter note, Clemente Day included a learning experience, as Carnegie Science Center demonstrated the physics of a baseball bat, and trajectory of a ball propelled by liquid nitrogen gas. But the highlight was the effect of a leaf blower on toilet paper which encounters an immovable object, in the form of the Pirates Parrot. Clemente Day is sponsored by Pirates Charities.
"We're following in his footsteps, in the core principles for which he stood," said Pirates president Frank Coonelly. "One of those is serving others."
Minor Leaguers, selected for their service to their communities, distributed Pirate caps to the children. And it doesn't stop with ball caps. Pirates Charities also delivered 40 thousand dollars worth of badly needed school supplies.
The Great One would have loved it.
"He was always involved with them, and helped youngsters all his life," Vera Clemente said. "And myself, I think the same."
There are also several special events planned before tonight's Pirates-Cubs game at PNC Park to celebrate the Pirates' legend.
Mayor Bill Peduto will issue a proclamation outside the ballpark before the game designating Sept. 16 Clemente Day in Pittsburgh.
There will also be a celebration and music from a Latin dance band during a Fiesta Latina celebration in Picnic Park at the stadium during the pre-game festivities.
The team is also marking Hispanic Heritage Day.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Andrew McCutchen has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award.
To find out more and vote for Cutch, click here.
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