A memorable day: Clemente’s historic 3,000th hit | Sports

I recall arriving at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, September 30, 1972. It was round 10:30 within the morning on a cloudy day. The temperature was within the excessive 50s.  

Roberto Clemente, the stellar proper fielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was one hit away from changing into the primary Latin American participant and eleventh participant general to amass 3,000 hits on the main league degree. As a member of the printed group for WAPA-Radio in Puerto Rico (Roberto's birthplace), I imposed on myself the accountability to reach on the stadium early. I wished every little thing to be successful that day.

Before the sport, Roberto and I chatted a number of instances, however not as soon as did 3,000 hits change into the primary topic of the dialog. He did inform me, about 45 minutes previous to the sport towards the New York Mets, “If I get it [the hit], come down [to the clubhouse] in order that we are able to carry on speaking.”

Our pregame present lasted about quarter-hour. Therefore I had time to name his mom, Luisa, in Puerto Rico and inform her that her son was doing properly and was prepared for the sport. Before hanging up she stated to me, “If he gets the hit, give him a kiss for me.”

THE GAME AND THE HIT

The beginning time for the sport was 2:30 p.m.

The pitchers had been left-hander Jon Matlack for the Mets and right-hander Dock Ellis for the Pirates. The umpire behind the plate, John Kibler, known as out “play Ball,” signaling the beginning of Roberto’s quest for quantity 3000.

On his first at bat within the first inning, Clemente struck out.

However, in his second at bat within the fourth inning, at precisely 3:07 pm, he lined a one-bounce double to the left subject fence for the coveted hit. The crowd of 13,117 followers gave him an important standing ovation, as Roberto's identify was solidly etched in historical past as a part of the three,000-hit membership, together with so many different terrific accomplishments in his 18-year profession with the Pirates.

Later that inning, Roberto scored a run on Manny Sanguillen’s single to left subject. He then got here out of the sport within the fifth inning, left the dugout, and headed to the Pirates’ clubhouse.

IN THE PIRATES’ CLUBHOUSE

After excusing myself from the printed, I made my manner all the way down to the clubhouse and advised the clubhouse supervisor Hully Hallahan, about Roberto’s pregame request. Hallahan allowed entry to the clubhouse.

By this time, Roberto was sporting white shorts however was with out a shirt. We hugged, and as his mom had requested, I gave him a kiss on the neck.

He gave me a stunned look, together with a smile, so I defined to him, “That comes from your mom. I spoke to her from the broadcast booth prior to the game and she asked me to give you a kiss on her behalf.”

While sitting on picket stools we continued to speak. Among different issues, he stated, “I shyly appreciated the ovation,” referring to the response of the gang. That was the Roberto I knew!

I recall very properly that in the course of the time we spent within the clubhouse speaking about what had occurred, I picked up a chunk of cardboard and wrote “3,000” on it. Since then, I've seen numerous instances the photograph of Roberto holding that makeshift cardboard signal whereas sitting on the stool.

During the ninth inning of the sport, an avalanche of members from the media got entry to the clubhouse. For near an hour, Roberto fortunately and professionally answered their inquiries. By that point, he was nonetheless in his white shorts, however had placed on his Pirates sport jersey. The first reporter I noticed method Roberto was New York author Dick Young, a well-respected pal.

I'll always remember throughout his postgame interviews, Roberto devoted his 3,000th hit to his household, in addition to the followers in Pittsburgh, Puerto Rico, and all through Latin America. He then stated, “I especially dedicate this to Roberto Marin, the man who discovered me as a young player and helped me so much.”

UPON LEAVING THE STADIUM

Roberto and his spouse, Vera, left the ballpark and headed to the house of a stunning couple dwelling in Pittsburgh. Their names had been Henry Coolong and his spouse Elsa; she was from Roberto’s hometown of Carolina, Puerto Rico. Henry and Elsa had been like mentors to Roberto.

A couple of hours later, all of us went to the Clementes’ dwelling, which was positioned within the Green Tree suburb of Pittsburgh. Sometime in the course of the night, Roberto requested his finest pal and mentor in Pittsburgh, Phil Dorsey, together with myself, to accompany him to his room. He wished to organize for a late-night reunion with Pirates proprietor Dan Galbreath. He modified his white shirt and tire. While doing this in entrance of a mirror he surprisingly stated, “Now they know what kind of a player I am.” That is a second that's nonetheless very a lot alive in my reminiscence.

THE FOLLOWING DAY—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1972

During a pregame ceremony honoring Roberto’s offensive milestone, Bob Prince, the Pirates' legendary broadcaster and longtime pal, launched me to the followers in order that I might current Roberto with a particular award on behalf of all of Puerto Rico. It was a mounted plaque that had at its base a clod of soil from the sector in Carolina, the place Roberto had performed baseball as a child.

HOW I REMEMBER ROBERTO

Puerto Rico has all the time been divided for social, political and non secular causes. However, islanders have lengthy been united by the fantastic legacy of Roberto Clemente.

Internationally, thousands and thousands of followers have change into united by Clemente, particularly since his premature dying in a aircraft crash off the northern coast of Puerto Rico on December 31, 1972. He was main a mission of mercy for victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua.

Roberto Clemente helped me perceive in some ways who I'm. He gave me fortitude and an emotional platform to stroll by way of life, as I attempt to keep it up his mission of uniting individuals all through the international locations the place baseball is performed.

I miss his friendship. I miss sitting down with him and speaking about life and different topics.

In my thoughts I nonetheless carry a torch of goodwill, which he in essence handed me symbolically, throughout our friendship.

To me, Roberto is a continuing supply of inspiration, as I consider him nearly every single day. To at the present time he evokes me to journey the fitting path by way of the car of baseball.

Today and endlessly, I'll contemplate myself a really lucky man as God allowed me to find and befriend Roberto Clemente.

Luis Mayoral is a longtime baseball government and journalist who has labored within the sport for 5 a long time. A shut pal and confidante of Roberto Clemente, Luis was the primary particular person employed by a significant league crew to function a liaison for Latin American ballplayers, serving to them to adapt to American tradition and customized.