Roberto Clemente's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Roberto Clemente.
Roberto Clemente was a celebrated Puerto Rican baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 seasons. Known for his exceptional fielding and hitting, he won 12 Gold Glove Awards and was a 15-time All-Star. Tragically, he died in a plane crash in December 1972 while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. His humanitarian efforts and extraordinary baseball career led to his posthumous induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, making him the first Caribbean and second Latin American player to receive this honor. Clemente is remembered as a baseball icon and a symbol of compassion and social responsibility.
July 25, 1956: Inside-the-Park Grand Slam
On July 25, 1956, Roberto Clemente hit a walk-off, inside-the-park grand slam at Forbes Field, becoming the first player in modern MLB history to achieve this.
1959: All-Star Roster
In 1960, Roberto Clemente earned his first spot on the NL All-Star roster as a reserve player after having a stellar season.
May 1960: NL Player of the Month
In May 1960, Clemente was named NL Player of the Month Award.
1960: Player of the Month and World Series Champion
In 1960, Roberto Clemente was selected as the National League's Player of the Month for May and helped the Pirates win the World Series.
1960: World Series Champion
In 1960, Roberto Clemente won his first World Series championship. He was the first player from the Caribbean and Latin America to win as a starting position player.
1961: First NL Batting Leader Title
In 1961, Roberto Clemente became the National League batting leader, showcasing his hitting prowess.
1961: All-Star and Gold Glove Season
In 1961, Roberto Clemente started in the All-Star game, contributing to a come-from-behind victory and also received his first Gold Glove Award.
1961: Gold Glove Winner
Starting in 1961, Roberto Clemente won the Gold Glove award for each of his final 12 seasons.
1964: Second NL Batting Leader Title
In 1964, Roberto Clemente was again the National League batting leader, demonstrating his consistent performance.
1964: NL Batting Title
In 1964, Roberto Clemente won the NL Batting title for the second time.
1965: Third NL Batting Leader Title
In 1965, Roberto Clemente continued his hitting success by securing his third title as the National League batting leader.
1965: Injury and All-Star Selection
In 1965, Roberto Clemente experienced a thigh injury during winter league play, impacting his early season performance. Later on July 15, he participated as a pinch hitter during the All-Star Game.
1965: NL Batting Title
In 1965, Roberto Clemente won the NL Batting title for the third time.
May 1967: NL Player of the Month
In May 1967, Clemente was named NL Player of the Month Award.
1967: Fourth NL Batting Leader Title
In 1967, Roberto Clemente was awarded his fourth title as National League batting leader.
1967: NL Batting Title
In 1967, Roberto Clemente won the NL Batting title for the fourth time, registered a career-high .357 batting average, hit 23 home runs, and batted in 110 runs.
July 1969: NL Player of the Month
In July 1969, Clemente was named NL Player of the Month Award.
July 24, 1970: "Roberto Clemente Night"
On July 24, 1970, "Roberto Clemente Night" was celebrated at Three Rivers Stadium with Puerto Rican fans and charitable donations.
1972: Gold Glove Award
In 1972, Roberto Clemente won a Gold Glove Award for the 12th consecutive season.
March 20, 1973: Hall of Fame Election
On March 20, 1973, the Baseball Writers' Association of America held a special election for the Baseball Hall of Fame and posthumously elected Clemente, waiving the waiting period, with 92.7% of the votes.
April 6, 1973: Number Retired
On April 6, 1973, Clemente's number 21 was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1973: Roberto Clemente Award
In 1973, Major League Baseball renamed the Commissioner's Award to the Roberto Clemente Award, awarded annually to a player with outstanding baseball skills and community involvement.
1973: Presidential Citizens Medal and Congressional Gold Medal
In 1973, President Richard Nixon posthumously honored Clemente with the Presidential Citizens Medal, and Congress honored him with the Congressional Gold Medal.
1973: Posthumous Induction into Hall of Fame
In 1973, Roberto Clemente was posthumously inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the first Caribbean player to be inducted.
1999: The Sporting News List
In 1999, Clemente was ranked number 20 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players.
2003: United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame
In 2003, Clemente was also inducted into the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame.
2003: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2003, President George W. Bush awarded Clemente the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2005: Latino Legends Team
In 2005, Clemente was named to Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team.
2007: All Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team
In 2007, Clemente was selected for the All Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team for the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Gold Glove Award.
2010: Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame
In 2010, Clemente was elected to the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.
2015: Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame
In 2015, Clemente was elected to the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.
2020: The Athletic's "Baseball 100" List
In 2020, The Athletic ranked Clemente at number 40 on its "Baseball 100" list, complied by sportswriter Joe Posnanski.
2022: National Hero Recognition
In 2022, the government of Puerto Rico granted Clemente the formal recognition of prócer (national hero).
