Quote:
Originally Posted by FuzzyDarkness
I just googled Roberto Clemente and couldn't find anything about how he became a Pirate but read about his tragic death. Dying while helping others is really tragic.
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Clemente was in the Brooklyn minor league organization. Under the rules of the time he was eligible to be drafted by another team unless put on... I think it was called something else then... but today's version of the 40 man roster. Brooklyn decided not to protect him apparently hoping he hadn't been noticed by other teams. The Pirates finished last so had the first pick and had noticed Clemente and drafted him.
Those inclined to criticize Brooklyn saying the team made a mistake, was stupid, etc should look at his stats. He wasn't a star the first five years. His first "Clemente style" season didn't happen until 1960.
Yes, his death was a tragic event. He jumped in to help the people of Nicaragua. At the time of the earthquake one of the richest men in the world was living in Nicaragua. He left the country without doing a thing. His name was Howard Hughes.