December 2010 marks 38 years since Roberto Clemente, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ all-star outfielder and the country’s first Latino-American Hall of Famer, lost his life in a plane crash. To honor the life and legacy of this baseball legend, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center is hosting a Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit, “Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente.”
Clemente helped forge a path to the Major Leagues for the masses of Latino ballplayers who would follow him, similar to what Jackie Robinson did for black players a decade earlier, according to exhibit organizers. Clemente addressed the issue of racism openly in the media, refusing to accept the status quo.
Throughout his life, Clemente demonstrated extraordinary devotion to his community and homeland. His humanitarian work resulted in the founding of Sports City, an athletic complex near San Juan, Puerto Rico, for disadvantaged youth.
IF YOU GO* What: “Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente.”* When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays through Jan. 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).* Where: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd.* Admission: $7 adults, $5 senior citizens and students, $3 children 6-12.* Phone: 266-8658.* Website: www.bessiesmithcc.org.
His advocacy for the rights and importance of the people of Latin America was strengthened by his cultural identification with them despite his stardom. Clemente lost his life in a plane crash while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was 38.
“Beyond Baseball” was developed by the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico with the Carimar Design and Research Studio. The exhibit will be on display here through Jan. 30 before continuing on a 20-city national tour through 2012.