PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to reinstate a tribute to baseball legend Roberto Clemente on the right-field wall at PNC Park after initially replacing it with an advertisement, a move that upset Clemente’s family.
The original tribute was a sign featuring Clemente’s name and jersey number 21, which was replaced by an ad for Surfside, an alcoholic beverage. Pirates president, Travis Williams, has announced the restoration of the original sign before the team’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday evening.
Williams acknowledged the oversight on Sunday, expressing regret for the situation.
“Our intention was not to dishonor the legacy of Roberto Clemente with the addition of the advertisement,” Williams shared in a statement. “Erasing the No. 21 logo from the pad was a mistake on our part. This misstep falls squarely on me, not anyone else within the organization. It was an error made in good faith.
“We wish to convey to the Clemente family that there was never any intention of disrespect. We aim to maintain a positive relationship with the Clemente family and extend our apologies to them and our fans for this honest mistake.”
The section of the right-field wall at PNC Park, standing 21 feet tall, symbolizes a tribute to Clemente’s legacy.
The Pirates pointed out in a statement that the sign, originally installed in 2022, was meant to be a temporary feature. Nonetheless, Roberto Clemente Jr. publicly expressed his dissatisfaction in a statement over the weekend.
“The change occurred without discussing or consulting our family,” the statement conveyed. “While we acknowledge the Pirates’ admission of not informing us, it highlights a larger issue: the lack of substantial collaboration between the organization and on matters personal and historically important to us and the fans.
“The magnitude of support from fans in Pittsburgh and nationwide has been incredibly moving. Clearly, our father’s legacy continues to inspire and bring people together, not only for his on-field accomplishments but also for the integrity and compassion he exhibited beyond the sport.”
Roberto Clemente played his entire professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972. He was selected for 15 All-Star Games and earned 12 Gold Glove awards, four batting titles, and the 1966 National League MVP.
Clemente tragically passed away in a plane crash near San Juan, Puerto Rico, on New Year’s Eve in 1972. He was on a relief mission delivering supplies to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua at the time. His legacy was cemented with induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame the following year.