This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Roberto Clemente, a Puerto Rican, was to Latin American ballplayers what Jackie Robinson was to African American ballplayers. Ironically, Clemente was plucked by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Dodgers farm system in 1954 for a $4,000 draft price. Not only was Clemente one of the greatest ballplayers of all time, but his charitable acts were legendary. In 1972, a few short months after Clemente collected his 3,000th hit, he was tragically killed in an airplane crash en route to earthquake-ravaged Managua, Nicaragua, as chairman of the Nicaraguan Relief Committee.
As a ballplayer, Clemente compiled a .317 lifetime batting average over 18 major league seasons, winning 4 batting titles, 12 Gold Glove awards, 12 times NL All-Star and was elected NL MVP in 1966 and World Series MVP in 1971. In 1960, the year he wore this jersey, Clemente hit .314 and helped lead Pittsburgh to the World Championship over the Yankees, where he hit safely in every game. In 1973, Clemente became the first Latin American ballplayer to be elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
In the neck of this jersey, is the "MacGregor" label, which includes the size "42." On the right inside front tail is a white felt patch with the year "60" in red chain stitch. Next to this, is the flag tag reading "Set 1 1960." Across the front of the jersey is the name "Pirates," and the player number "21" appears on the back. The letters and numbers are made of black on gold felt. The jersey shows game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind.