WHEREAS, Roberto Clemente is considered by many to be the greatest right fielder to ever play the game of baseball; and
WHEREAS, As a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972 he won four National League batting titles, twelve Golden Glove Awards, and was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1966; and
WHEREAS, Roberto Clemente led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a seven game World Series victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in 1971 where he received the World Series MVP Award; and
WHEREAS, Roberto Clemente became the first Latin American player to be inducted into the Major Leagues Baseball Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, His passion for baseball could only be matched by his unrelenting commitment to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate; and
WHEREAS, Clemente was also well known for his fierce ethnic pride and for his unusual capacity to bear a much larger identity—not just for Puerto Rico but for all of Latin America. It was a responsibility he embraced and carried with dignity and admirable grace; and
WHEREAS, He was uncommonly devoted to creating positive change in the world, a conviction he carried until he made the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his life in an airplane crash while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua; and
WHEREAS, His legacy goes beyond that of a great player, it exemplifies the ultimate sacrifice that great humanitarian’s give for their beliefs, his life to help others; and
WHEREAS, A documentary film on the life and meaning of Roberto Clemente premiered at the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations on Friday, September 21, 2007 in honor of Puerto Rican Heritage Week; and
WHEREAS, In sports, we honor an athlete’s legacy by retiring their number; and
WHEREAS, Because of his remarkable accomplishments both on and off the field Roberto Clemente is truly deserving of this honor; now therefore
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby urge Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to retire Roberto Clemente’s #21 from Major League Baseball.
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