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Current mood:Somber, yet Thankful
Category: Life
This is the second in a series of blog entries which concentrate on those whom are named among the heroes in my profile.   23 December, 1972, 12:29 A.M.. Managua, capital of Nicaragua was the unfortunate host to a 6.2-magnitude earthquake, followed by many aftershocks, two of which measured at least 5.0 on the Richter magnitude scale. It is believed that 63% of Managua's people were left homeless as a result. Of the roughly 350,000 populace, 20,000 were injured and 5,000 killed. All four main hospitals were left unserviceable. Famine and disease spread quickly among the remaining residents, a condition only worsened by the coming dry winds which caused several fires to expand the scope of their destruction. In terms of deaths, this had been the worst seismic disaster ever recorded for this hemisphere above South America. Prior to the Managua event, the worst earthquake of record for this part of the world occurred in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1692, which left more than 2,000 dead.
1972 Topps baseball card of the 1971 Champions.Approximately 3,280 kilometers [2,038 miles] NNE of Nicaragua, the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball franchise was finalizing the trade of Dick Sharon to the Detroit Tigers for Jim Foor and Norm McRae. Foor would only make three appearances for the Pirates, posting a 0.00 ERA in 1 and 1/3 innings pitched. McRae would never step on the field. The trade would turn out as a complete wash, as Dick Sharon couldn't do much for the Tigers either.
The 1973 Pittsburgh Pirates still had much to look forward to for the coming season. After winning the 1971 World Series, the team finished first in the National League's eastern division for 1972. Though they would fall to the Cincinnati Reds in the playoffs that year, 3 games to 2, there was still much to celebrate. 
Roberto Clemente makes contact for his 3,000th career hit.
Clemente is presented with the baseball by umpire Doug Harvey.Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on 18 August, 1934, Robert Clemente Walker made his MLB debut in 1955. A 12-time All-Star and 1966 NL MVP, Bob wrapped up the '72 campaign with his 3,000th career Major League hit, a gapper to left/center field on an 0-1 count for a double.  And what a ballplayer Bob had been to that point. A .317 batting average lifetime, 12 Gold Glove awards, a league MVP, a World Series MVP, and two Championship rings. Yet, he was not in the twilight of his career, as he posted an overall .340 batting average between 1969 and 1972.
Which brings us to 23 December, 1972.
Response to the earthquake in Nicaragua was swift from many, including The United States and Mexican governments, Roberto Clemente, music groups Santana and The Rolling Stones, as well as countless others. Clemente, who had visited Managua three weeks before the quake and who was already involved in several other charitable efforts, immediately began arranging air transport of emergency relief to the battered city. After learning that the first three flights had been diverted by corrupt government officials under the rule of Anastasio Somoza Debayle, Roberto Clemente chose to accompany a fourth relief flight in the hope that his presence would help ensure that aid would be delivered to those of whom such supplies were most needed. A New Year's Eve DC-7 flight was planned. Soon after take off, it crashed into the ocean off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. A few days after, part of the fuselage of the plane was found, as well as the body of the pilot. Clemente's body was never recovered. The Douglas DC-7, of which was used, had a history of mechanical problems. This was not known by Roberto, nor the fact the flight personnel was, at best, sub-par, and that the plane was overloaded by more than two tons. On 20 March, 1973, the Baseball Writers Association of America held a special election for the Baseball Hall of Fame. They voted to waive the standard 5-year waiting period, instituted in 1954, for Clemente, due to the circumstances of his death. He was posthumously elected for induction into the Hall of Fame with the 1973 class. "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't do it, you are wasting your time on this earth." Roberto Clemente Walker.
The Roberto Clemente Bridge (formally the Sixth Street Bridge) spans the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh.Roberto Clemente's name and legacy have been kept alive with, among other things, the institution of the Roberto Clemente Award, presented to baseball players for their combination of on and off the field accomplishments. The award recognizes those individuals who truly understand the value of helping others.
Just outside the center-field entrance to the Pirates ballpark. Speed, agility, strength, passion ... and compassion, followed by action. A great man, and a true hero.
6:06 AM
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