LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sept. 15 was the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month and the baseball world kicked the month off by celebrating Roberto Clemente Day. Clemente was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player who had a successful baseball career and was a philanthropist. 

What You Need To Know

  • Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. In the baseball world, Roberto Clemente Day is celebrated on the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month

  • The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory celebrated Roberto Clemente Day with some performances to educate attendees about him

  • Clemente was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was also a philanthropist 

  • Other Hispanic baseball players will be honored at the museum throughout Hispanic Heritage Month

At the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, guests got the opportunity to learn about Clemente through a historic interpretation. The performance will now be part of the museum’s permanent rotation. 

“I know that many people in the Latin America community revere Clemente and his legacy highly and so I want to honor that legacy by doing the best I can,” said Brian West, a barnstormer at the museum who portrays Clemente.

Clemente played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for 18 seasons from the mid 1950s to early 1970s. Clemente was also known for his humanitarian work outside of the baseball field.

“He organized a lot of baseball for youth in Puerto Rico,” said P.J. Shelley, the manager of education and programming at the museum. “He very famously shipped supplies to help folks over in Nicaragua.”

When attempting to transport supplies on a plane from Puerto Rico to Nicaragua after a hurricane, the plane crashed with Clemente in it. Everyone on board died in the crash. His legacy as a baseball player and philanthropist lives on.

Puerto Rico native Vanessa Trujillo Gines, who now lives in Louisville, attended the museum’s Roberto Clemente Day.

“I think it’s an awesome way to remember him and remember what he represented ‘cause more than a baseball player, he cared,” Trujillo Gines said. “He always cared about humanity. He cared about other people.”

Throughout the rest of Hispanic Heritage Month, the museum will honor the contributions of several Hispanic baseball players with exhibits and events.

From now until Oct. 15, attendees can donate new or gently used baseball equipment and get free admission into the museum. The donations will go toward “Play Ball Puerto Rico,” an organization that supports young athletes in need.

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