Roberto Clemente

As part of Major League Baseball's 2016 schedule, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins will play a brief two-game series in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on May 30-31 to celebrate Roberto Clemente Day. 

The official announcement was made by MLB's public relations staff on Twitter:

September 17th marks Roberto Clemente Day around the MLB, as the league honors the legacy of one of the all-time greats.

He made his impact felt on and off the field during his 18-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, before his life came to a tragic end in a plane crash at the age of 38.

Major League Baseball is the American pastime, but foreign-born players have played a big role in the sport’s history.

Foreign-born players now make up 29.0 percent of 2011 MLB Opening Day rosters.

International stars used to be restricted in baseball, but now they are becoming more prominent, and they are becoming even better.  There are only 10 foreign-born stars in the Hall of Fame right now, and I’m sure you can come up with 10 more who will be in there soon off the top of your head.

"Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don't, then you are wasting your time on this Earth." - Roberto Clemente

While most of us baseball fans are finishing our Christmas Shopping and scheduling for Holiday Festivities which will run into the New Year, I wanted to take a moment to remind you about Pittsburgh Pirate Great, Roberto Clemente.

Fifty years ago the Pittsburgh Pirates won one of the most sensational World Series in major league baseball history.

Last month in October, some of the living former Pirates teammates from that magical 1960 squad met to live once again the vivid memories of the day that stands above all others in Buccos history.

Yes, better than the world championships of 1971 and 1979, both times against the Baltimore Orioles.

Voted on by baseball fans and members of the media, the Roberto Clemente Award has been given annually since 1971 to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individuals contribution to his team". 

Named after 12-time All-Star and Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente in 1973, the award was named after Clemente died on New Year's Eve 1972 while trying to deliver supplies to victims of the Nicaragua earthquake.

Every fan knows them. They are cheer. Some times not.

Albert Pujols is known as “El Hombre” in St. Louis and possibly could win his third career National League MVP award.

Felix Hernandez is known as “El Rey” in Seattle and possibly could win his first career Cy Young award.

I just returned from visiting the Hoard Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wis., where today was the last day that the Roberto Clemente exhibit would be there, and I didn't want to miss it.  I called my friend Nick up and we drove over.

When we arrived we were met by a nice older couple who ran the place.  They gave us a bit of information and showed us the way to a small hall where a video from the PBS series American Experience would be shown about Clemente's life.