December 31, 1972

[xplainer]

This happened. I was a nine year old. I remember hearing the news. A sad day for me.

[Stonepony]

I was 10 and a Clemente fan. I remember it quite well.

[xplainer]

Originally Posted by Stonepony

I was 10 and a Clemente fan. I remember it quite well.

Man Dave, you are old.

Back then, there was no CNN and the networks closed shop at 1 am. You had the American flag flying and the National Anthem, then test bars until 6 am.

So, there were many questions in my neighborhood amongst us kids. I had just pulled a 72 card during the season. I still have it somewhere. With tape and tack holes.

But we couldn't understand why they couldn't locate them. We were kids and Gilligan's Island was a favorite... so. We didn't understand.

One more memory - his name was one word. Roberto Clemente. That is one word. Never Clemente,or Bob or Roberto. It was Roberto Clemente. Something like Cher....I guess.

Great player. Tragic death...on this day in 1972.

[vthobby]

I studied Clemente during my younger years and his career was fascinating. In the late 1980s, I was in Cooperstown during the inductions and had a Clemente photo that I was going to try and get Roberto Jr. to sign. I had heard he might be there.

I was waiting by the golf course for hours and Clemente Jr. came by with Marichal. Everyone was trying to get Roberto's attention but he was concentrating on golf only. I made my 1 attempt and yelled out "Arriba" as they were leaving the tee. He abruptly turned, jogged over to me and signed my photo and just smiled at me!

It was incredible!

Peace, Mike

[Brian Van Horn]

As a Pirates fan, I knew the subject of this thread the moment I saw the date. I do not recall the date specifically since I was on six at the time, but it is a depressing topic.

Also, bummed out that Wayne Rogers of M*A*S*H and House Calls fame passed away, but happy to see the new year.

[chris6net]

I remember when he got his 3000th hit versus the Mets in 1972 and having a short debate with my Grandfather about how many hits Clemente would eventually end up with.
Little did we know

[Fred]

Brain,

Yup, new what the thread was about as soon as I saw the date. Great all around human being.

[familytoad]

Funny how we baseball nerdists recognize that tragic date instantly...we probably cannot do that with other significant world events, but that's okay with me!
Yup, I was also 10 years old at the time too.

I grew up in Vermont where baseball was all Yankees/Red Sox (I was probably closer to the Expos than the others and the Mets were in the Daily News as much as the Yankees in those days, but I digress)
Anyway, I had not seen much of Clemente playing and other than the treasured baseball cards I might not have heard of him.

The 1972 pose with him tossing the ball in hand will always be forever in grained in my memory. I recall digging out that card when I heard the news about Roberto and reading it again.

RIP to a fine player and great man!