Tragedies in the Sky
Clemente and Munson
1972
Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates
On December 31, 1972 Pirate outfielder Roberto Clement lost his life in a mercy plane crash that was delivering needed food and supplies to earthquake victims of Nicaragua. The shocking death sent baseball fans into a tailspin. To honor Clemente, he was inducted post-humorously into the Hall of Fame the following year waiving the required 5-year waiting period after a player plays his last game. In addition, the newly created Commissioner’s Award award for public service was renamed as the Roberto Clemente Award. The annual award is given to the player who demonstrates the values that Roberto Clemente displayed in his commitment to community and understanding the value of helping others. Each team nominates a player from their team and the most deserving recipient receives the highly valued award during the World Series. Clemente played for 18 seasons with a lifetime batting average of .317, 3000 hits, four batting titles, 15 All Star games and multiple gold glove awards for his fielding skills. He recorded his 3000th hit on the last game of the 1972 season. He was the first Latino inducted into the Hall of Fame. There is a Roberto Clemente Museum in Pittsburgh.
He was once described as “ Clemente in the outfield was an epic poem”.
1979
The Captain, Thurmon Munson, New York Yankees
On August 2, catcher, and Yankee captain, Thurmon Munson, perished in the plane crash of his private plane in Akron, Ohio. Munson was the heart and soul of the Yankees. So much so that he was elected as their first team captain since Lou Gehrig. He was in his eleventh season with the Yankees. His career included the Rookie of the Year Award, an MVP trophy, 3 Gold Glove Awards, and 7 times an All Star, but more important to the Yankees was his leadership. His number 15 was retired immediately after his death and his locker stood unused until 2008 when it was moved to the Yankee Museum at the new Yankee Stadium. He built a reputation as tough and not afraid of the consequences. His well-known feud with Boston catcher Carlton Fisk occurred when Munson’s attempt to steal home resulted in an entanglement that exploded into a brawl between the two teams in 1973. An emotional tribute to Munson occurred the first game following his death. The Yankees placed eight players at their position minus the catcher in a moment of silence. Robert Merrill sang America the Beautiful. It was followed by an eight-minute standing ovation from the Cleveland audience. The following inscription was flashed on the scoreboard.
Our captain and leader has not left us, today, tomorrow, this year, next ... Our endeavors will reflect our love and admiration for him.