PITTSBURGH — New Year's Eve marked 50 years since a plane carrying Roberto Clemente crashed while delivering earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua. In those five decades, the iconic Pirates outfielder's legacy has soared to incredible and unimaginable heights.
In many ways, how Clemente is remembered matches how he carried himself as a player and person: flash and flair buttressed by tireless preparation and dedication, Clemente considering it his personal duty to perform for fans and be there for his teammates, whatever the cost.
Yet strip away baseball, and Clemente's legacy is framed by his charity work and selfless care for others. There's an annual MLB award in his honor. The mere mention of his name will cause professional athletes, regardless of sport, to think about leveraging their platform for good. And just think: All of it was started by a man who pursued this sort of thing as a lifestyle, not a way to attract attention.
