Orlando in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Roberto Clemente Walker
March 20, 1955
— Tinker Field History Plaza —
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, December 19, 2021
1. Roberto Clemente Walker Marker
On March 20, 1955, a young Roberto Clemente stepped onto Tinker Field for the first time. The Washington Senators led the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 in the eighth when the rookie Clemente drove in the tying run with a double. The Pirates won 4-2 in the thirteenth inning.
Roberto Clemente led Pittsburgh to win the 1960 and 1971 World Series. He won the National League MVP in 1966 and the World Series MVP in 1971, secured the National League Batting Title four times and earned twelve consecutive Gold Gloves. Clemente was a twelve-time All-Star and collected his 3,000th hit in his last at bat of the 1972 season.
Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico in 1934, Clemente was unwavering humanitarian and champion for social justice who challenged racial prejudice, broke racial barriers and cared for those in need. With dignity and grace, Clemente became Major League Baseball’s first Latino superstar.
Between 1955 and 1964, Roberto Clemente played several times at Tinker Field during Spring Training with the Pittsburgh Pirates. On December 31, 1972 Clemente boarded a plane delivering humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. The plane was lost at sea immediately after takeoff and Clemente’s body was never recovered. Clemente was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, and the Pirates
this page online
"I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all he had to give."
— Roberto Clemente
Erected by City of Orlando.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Entertainment • Hispanic Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1955.
Location. 28° 32.297′ N, 81° 24.315′ W. Marker is in Orlando, Florida, in Orange County. Marker is at the intersection of South Tampa Avenue and West South Street, on the right when traveling north on South Tampa Avenue. The marker is within the Tinker Field History Plaza in front of Camping World Stadium. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 421 S Tampa Ave, Orlando FL 32805, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Monford “Monte” Irvin (here, next to this marker); Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (here, next to this marker); Raymond Emmett Dandridge (here, next to this marker); Mayor Bob Carr and The New Stadium (here, next to this marker); Babe Ruth Day (here, next to this marker); The End of an Era (here, next to this marker); Joshua Gibson and Shirley Povich
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, December 19, 2021
2. Roberto Clemente Walker Marker
Also see . . . Roberto Clemente Walker. (Submitted on December 31, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
