New Roberto Clemente bio...

For those that want to read about the life of "The Great One"; both as a ballplayer and progressive humanitarian, there is a new biography due out April 25th. I'm reading an advance copy now and it's great so far...



http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&isbn=0743217810&itm=2

"Born near the canebrakes of rural Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934, at a time when there were no blacks or Puerto Ricans playing organized ball in the United States, Clemente went on to become the greatest Latino player in the major leagues. He was, in a sense, the Jackie Robinson of the Spanish-speaking world, a ballplayer of determination, grace, and dignity who paved the way and set the highest standard for waves of Latino players who followed in later generations and who now dominate the game.

The Clemente that Maraniss evokes was an idiosyncratic character who, unlike so many modern athletes, insisted that his responsibilities extended beyond the playing field. In his final years, his motto was that if you have a chance to help others and fail to do so, you are wasting your time on this earth. "

Looking forward to reading it :7

has an excerpt of the book

Growing up in Pittsburgh during the 60's, Clemente was my hero. And a better hero I couldn't have picked. I still remember how devastated I and the city of Pittsburgh were that long ago New Year's Eve to hear of his death. I still remember how he led the Pirates to victory in the 71 series and how fitting his final hit in the regular season of 72 was his 3,000th.

As a kid playing street stickball, wiffle ball and baseball I always wanted to play RF and be Clemente (even though I was a girl).

I'll be looking for both the book and the SI article.