Roberto Clemente: Proud and resolute
By Adrian Burgos
Each Saturday, El Profe digs into moments in baseball history captured by a camera lens. These Iconic Images stir the soul, capturing more than a moment in a game.Today, El Profe discusses the stoic salute of The Great One.
This photo gives me chills: Roberto Clemente standing at second base tipping his hat to the Pittsburgh crowd after his 3,000 hit.
The sense of accomplishment he must have felt as the first Puerto Rican and Latino player to reach 3,000.
The hit came during the last game of the 1972 season, which meant Clemente would not have to go through the winter stuck on 2,999.
It was a truly quintessential Clemente hit. A line drive into the left field gap, with Roberto hustling out of the box for a stand up double.
So there he stood at second.
What shakes me deeply, and makes me emotional about this photo is that we the viewers know what those in Pittsburgh had no way of knowing on September 30, 1972.
That hit number 3,000 would be his last.
And yet I love this photo for all it captures about Clemente.
I love how the photographer captures this precise moment of Clemente standing proud and resolute.
The look on his face draws me in closer. He is not quite smiling but one can still sense a level of contentment on his face.
The eyes are intense, focused. He seems to be looking directly at someone — perhaps making eye contact with family members in the stands. He is not here for the camera, he is here for the fans and his family.
This image is seared into the hearts and minds of so many. The Great One lifting his cap and acknowledging the crowd.
One can imagine the crowds cheering in admiration and acknowledgement of Clemente’s grand achievement.
The sense of relief that there will be no waiting until next year for number 3,000.
We didn’t know there would be no next year for Clemente.
Number 21 will forever rest on 3,000 hits.
Featured Image: Morris Berman / Getty Images Sport