Historical Timeline
Roberto Clemente Walker is born in Barrio San Anton, Carolina, Puerto Rico to Melchor Clemente and Luisa Walker. He was the youngest of seven children.
He joined Puerto Rico’s amateur league when he was 16 years old, playing for the Ferdinand Juncos. He later played winter ball for Santurce, San Juan, and Corillo de Caguas.
Clemente begins his professional baseball career when he signs with the Cangrejeros de Santurce, a winter league team and franchise of the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League (LBBPR).
The first home run of his North American baseball career was an extra inning walk-off in his first at bat as a defensive replacement.
The Pirates select Roberto Clemente with the first pick of the Rookie Draft.
Clemente is signed to the Pittsburgh Pirates by Branch Rickey. He sent this photograph to his mother signing “To Mother With Love.” It was the first time he was photographed in the Pirates uniform at Forbes Field.
Clemente makes his MLB debut.
Hits the only documented inside- the-park walk-off grand slam in modern MLB history.
Clemente was drafted and placed in the Marine Reserves. While in basic training, he broke two records, one for the most chin-ups and one for fastest through the obstacle course.
Clemente wins National League’s Player of the Month Award.
Wins his first World Series after defeating the heavily favored New York Yankees in seven games.
Walk-off single to win the All Star Game.
Wins National League Batting Title.
Roberto marries Vera Zabala at San Fernando Church in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Wins National League MVP Award.
Posts a .352 season batting average.
Wins World Series MVP.
Collects his 3,000th hit on the final day of the Pirates season.
Plays final game with Pittsburgh Pirates. Goes home to coach winter ball with the San Juan Senadores.
Dies after the plane he chartered to carry supplies to Nicaragua after the earthquake crashes into the Atlantic.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot with 92.7% of the vote.