Best of health to Elroy Face.

[akleinb611]

Originally Posted by Tere1071

Clendenon was selected by the Montreal Expos in the 1968 expansion draft. Then, the Expos traded Clendenon to the Astros, but he refused to report. The Astros received additional compensation and Clendenon remained with the Expos until June 15, when he was traded to the Mets.

You're correct, of course, but it doesn't change my point. Clendenon was left unprotected in the draft in spite of the fact that he still had some gas in the tank, quite possibly to appease Clemente

I can't cite the specific source for my impression, but I believe the reason Clemente had issues with his African-American teammates was that he was perceived as a "Company Man." Harry Walker, who managed the Pirates in the mid-Sixties, was largely (and probably correctly) perceived as somewhat racist. Issues quickly arose between Walker and many black players, and Clemente repeatedly defended Walker. The resulting ill feelings were unfortunate but probably inevitable.

Another problem was that while Clemente was very active in charitable causes in Puerto Rico, the perception was that he did little or nothing of that sort in Pittsburgh itself. I haven't researched this, but if that's the case, it would be another wedge driven between Clemente and players and fans.

I'm not trying to bash Clemente, just to make the point that heroic though his death may have been, he was not a saint, and it's no surprise some of his contemporaries may not have been fond of him. I guess the best way to view it is that I have no doubt that Clemente was subjected to racism and to cultural misunderstanding - but that he didn't handle it well.