This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/6/2006.
Every so often there are men who transcend sports. There are men that can change a nation's perspective based on perseverance and the dedication of an army. Telling yourself that what "you are doing" is absolute torture, but future generations will benefit from your determination. Roberto Clemente was one of those men. Roberto Clemente may have played baseball, but he was not a baseball player. He was something special. Roberto Clemente was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, August 18, 1934. His real love was baseball and the world is a better place because of it. In 1954, the Pittsburgh Pirates chose Roberto with the # 1 pick of the draft. Clemente joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, where he played his entire eighteen year Major League Baseball career from 1955 to 1972. Roberto played in two World Series, batting .310 in 1960 and .414 in 1971. He was the National League Batting Champion four times, was awarded twelve Gold Gloves, selected National League MVP in 1966 and was chosen as the MVP in the 1971 World Series. Despite all of these awards and honor's Roberto Clemente had to battle racially intolerant crowds in many cities that he played in. Often while rounding the bases, Roberto's cap would often come flying off. Written on the green bill under the "New Era" black wool cap is the number "21" in black marker. The inside of the hat is bordered in brown leather, with brown stitching. The outside of the cap is in good condition with the yellow "P" perfectly embroidered in the center. On the very top of the hat the yellow button has some faint black stains on it, presumably from wear and tear. This amazing piece of baseball history comes with pristine provenance directly from the Roberto Clemente family.