45 Years Ago Today

Roberto Clemente's death in a plane crash ferrying humanitarian aid to Nicaragua remains one of baseball's greatest offseason tragedies. Still at the top of his game -- and having ended the 1972 regular season with exactly 3000 hits -- the Pirates superstar chose to personally deliver supplies to the earthquake-stricken nation. Distrubed by reports that the Somoza dictatorship was stealing aid meant for the victims, Clemente felt his presence would keep things honest.
Instead, the overloaded plane crashed not far from the Puerto Rican coast, with all aboard killed. Clemente's body was never found, only his briefcase was recovered.
His legacy of leadership is honored in this statue outside the Pirates current home, PNC Park.

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