Roberto Clemente’s Sons, Roberto Jr. & Luis, Reflect On Their Father’s Legacy Of Fighting Racism

Roberto Jr. and Luis Clemente spoke about their late father Roberto Clemente Sr.’s legacy as a baseball icon in their new uInterview.

On December 31, 1972, Roberto died after his plane crashed into the waters off the coast of Puerto Rico at 38. The purpose of his fateful journey was to transport crucial relief supplies to the earthquake-stricken victims in Nicaragua.

As a black-Latino player, Roberto faced significant discrimination throughout his career. Roberto’s relationship with the press was varied due to his assertive nature, and he felt he didn’t get the respect he deserved in his time.

Luis told uInterview founder Erik Meers of his father, “He certainly knew how he was going to take this privilege he was given to play, and he from the beginning knew he was representing the working class, the people that did not have a voice at the time. He found out about, you know, the different ways racism, prejudice, took place in the States when he first got in, in 1955, 1954, and he knew that he was not going to put up with it… he demanded to be treated equally.”

Luis added that he felt his father’s legacy was in the voice he gave to minorities. “Baseball became a vehicle to get his message across,” he said.

Roberto Jr. said, ”These obstacles that he had to go through definitely set a goal and I think really helped him get that flame of continuing to fight for the people he cared for, the minority people, the hard-working people.”

Clemente also had an unusual relationship with his fans, opting to party with them over his own teammates.

“He dedicated 100% of himself to his fans,” Luis explained. “In the 1960 World Series, he said that’s what he felt, he said, ‘What I feel is that I went and congratulated everyone, but then I ran out and my heart was with the fans, I wanted to go out there and be there, I felt like that was what was important to me and that’s what I did.’ And he was heavily criticized for that.”

He continued, “[Roberto] gave his all at all times because he always represented the working class, and that was the utmost important thing for him, to become a voice for those who didn’t have a voice at the time… he was doing it for the fans at all times.”

Roberto Jr. added, “That day a legend was born.”

Throughout a remarkable 18-season career, Roberto captivated fans worldwide with his extraordinary hitting prowess, fearless base running, and unparalleled throwing arm. A testament to his defensive prowess, Clemente garnered an impressive collection of 12 Gold Gloves, a prestigious accolade bestowed upon the top fielding player in each position within the league.

The documentary Clemente premiered at the SXSW Film Festival this month.