There's no arguement. Roberto Clemente is a legend.
Since acquiring him from the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964, Arriba has been the quiet, steady cornerstone of our franchise, a leader by example and the beacon for our younger players to emulate.
All five tools have been displayed over his time with the Mets and his particular embrace of the post-season has quite simply been invaluable. Clemente delivered once again, the focal point of a late-game rally that lifted New York to a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins in Game 1 of the World Series.
Two-out hits are one of the few things that have eluded the Mets for most of the season and playoffs, but under that setting in the bottom of the eighth, the right man strode to the plate to rectify that deficency. With the bases loaded, a full count and the Mets trailing, 3-1, Clemente rocketed a dramatic three-run double to thrust New York in front.
His timing could not have been more theatrical...nor appreciated.
A tip of the cap also goes to Steve Carlton for eight gritty innings of work. He leaked in the fifth with the biggest crime being concession of a two-out single to counterpart Dave Morehead, which left the door open for Bobby Tolan and Don Money to rope back-to-back RBI singles. He also gave up a solo blast to Harmon Killebrew in the sixth that dug New York into a 3-1 hole.
Back at it for Game 2. Twins send Nolan Ryan to the hill opposite Mets' Nelson Briles.
