Growing up in a baseball family, I became a
so called “student of the game.” The game of baseball became my escape from the
world. Whether studying statistics, watching a game, playing with my friends,
or reading Bill James’ next Handbook, the game of baseball has changed the
person I am today. I learned to honor and cherish the greatness that superstar
players have to offer. Baseball players have influenced my family for
generations. My grandfather looked up to Gil Hodges, my father, Johnny Bench,
and I am influenced by a player, not from my generation, but from the 1960s and
1970s. I look up to: a Hall of Famer, a father, a husband, a Christian, and a
hard worker. I look up to Roberto Clemente. The impact and influence Roberto
Clemente has had in my life goes beyond this article. It’s a real life personal
connection that has given me the opportunity to see the way he united a city, a
region, and a country.
June 19th, 2010. The fiftieth
anniversary reunion for the Pittsburgh Pirates 1960 World Series Championship
team. The exceptional players that made up that team: Bill Mazeroski, Vernon
Law, Elroy Face are all in attendance. However, the true superstar player is
represented by his middle son and widow. The players are introduced one by one
with applause from the 38,008 people that are in attendance. The PA announcer
introduces the greatest player from that team: “And representing the late
Roberto Clemente is his widow Vera and his son Luis.” Five minutes later the
crowd sits back down in their seats after giving the greatest player in Pirates
history a heartfelt standing ovation. I was there that night standing beside
Mrs. Clemente and her son, Luis. Invited by them to be a part of the
celebration. That night is in my thoughts constantly. Not because of the
opportunity to talk to some of the best players in Major League Baseball
history, but because of the opportunity to see the impact one man had on one
city. That night set the goal for my life: Make a difference.
My connection with Roberto is something I
cherish. It’s given me the opportunity to attend that special game, be present
for the dedication of his statue in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and even have
his son Roberto Jr. over to my own house for dinner. Seeing the impact he has
had on others’ lives has shown me what I want to do with my life. Make a
difference in people’s lives, be a hard worker, and be a loving husband. Be a
Man of God, overcome adversity, and earn respect from peers. Roberto Clemente
has set the tone for the goals I have in my life by the way he carried about
his own.
