Constructing the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Time Lineup

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BALTIMORE, MD – CIRCA 1971: Outfielders Roberto Clemente’ #21 of the Pittsburgh Pirates puts the ball in play and runs up the first base line against the Baltimore Orioles during the 1971 World Series circa 1971 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Pirates won the series 4-3. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Right Field – Roberto Clemente

What more could be said about the legend of Roberto Clemente? In the City of Bridges, he has one named after him. Shoot, he even has the right field wall named after him.

Not only was he a great humanitarian, but he was also a hell of a ballplayer. In his 18-year career, he finished with exactly 3,000 hits, 240 home runs, and a career batting average of .317!

Clemente was a two-way player as well. While, yes, he won four National League batting titles, he may have been best known for his defense. The winner of 12(!) Gold Glove Awards, Clemente was known for his cannon of an arm that was feared by base runners throughout baseball.

With 260 outfield assists, he showed off his cannon for an arm in these desperate times I felt it necessary to watch some film on Clemente’s defense and my goodness did he throw frozen ropes! On that unfortunate day of New Years Eve in 1972, Clemente died in a plane crash, and the city mourned for days. One thing is for sure though Clemente was and is one of the greatest Pirates to put on a uniform.

From his statue outside the ballpark, to his number 21 on the wall named after him in right field and Pirate players touching a sign with his words on it before taking the field, it is impossible to venture around PNC Park without seeing his legacy.

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