On the Bright Side: Baseball great to be lauded at charity event Thursday An Oneonta man has organized a birthday celebration for baseball giant
Roberto Clemente, who would have turned 75 today. Steve Pindar, co-founder of Roberto’s Kids, has arranged activities this week with three minor-league teams in New York state, including the Oneonta Tigers on Thursday. Oneonta Tigers Roberto Clemente Night is the first of its kind, said Pindar, director of community relations for the local team. Pindar said Clemente, the first Hispanic inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, was an outstanding player whose professional success didn’t eclipse his humanitarian spirit. He never forgot where he came from,” Pindar said Monday. Born in Puerto Rico on Aug. 18, 1934, Clemente was the youngest of four children, according to a biography on MLB.com. Clemente joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, where he played his entire 18-year major-league career. He played in two World Series, was the National League Batting Champion four times, was awarded 12 Gold Gloves, was selected National League MVP in 1966 and was chosen as the MVP in the 1971 World Series.
On Sept. 30, 1972, Clemente hit a double to earn his 3,000th major-league hit.