AMM Philanthropy Spotlight: Roberto Clemente, Like Father Like Son
Roberto Clemente Jr. has had sports in his blood since he was born on August 17, 1965 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the oldest of three sons fathered by Pittsburgh Pirates legend Roberto Clemente, the first Latin American player to record 3, 000 hits and enter the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Following his father’s death on December 31, 1972 in a tragic plane crash while taking humanitarian aid to Nicaragua earthquake victims, Roberto Clemente Jr. became the spokesman for the family and traveled the world alongside his mother Vera, to attend hundreds of fundraisers, charity events and dedications honoring his father. In 1984, he was discovered by a Philadelphia Phillies scout and signed by the organization. Roberto Clemente Jr. would play as an outfielder for teams such as the Phillies, San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles organizations before a series of injuries forced him to retire in 1989.
In 1996, Roberto Clemente Jr. launched his broadcasting career covering the New York Yankees for the MSG Network, Telemundo and Radio WADO-AM. He has had the honor of broadcasting several World Series Games, as well as David Cone’s perfect game. Roberto Clemente Jr. has served as honorary Commissioner of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s annual T-Ball Tournament and served in a similar capacity at a White House T-Ball event. As part of his duties as Commissioner, Roberto Clemente Jr. speaks to children about the importance of education, community service and staying away from drugs.
Roberto Clemente Jr. is involved with a number of charitable organizations including Make a Wish Foundation, American Heart Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Center, School for the Blind, Beating the Odds Foundation, Quarterbacks of Life, Juvenile Diabetes, American Kids Cancer Fund, the American Breast Cancer Foundation and the Cristian Rivera Foundation. He is a Board member for The National Hispanic Health Foundation.
