Released on: July 17, 2008, 11:23 am

Press Release Author: Rosemary McKittrick

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: Rosemary McKittrick's website LiveAuctionTalk.com serves the
antiques and arts industry, collectors, and institutions. Sign up for a free weekly
auction update.

Press Release Body: July 17, 2008 -- I grew up in Pittsburgh during the baseball
reign of Roberto Clemente. On long muggy afternoons, Bob Prince, the radio voice
for the Pittsburgh Pirates could be heard squealing through my transistor radio as
the right fielder gracefully dove for a deep high fly ball.

I use the word grace because that's the best word I can think of to describe how the
man played baseball. When it counted most, Clemente was right there with a
lightening fast arm, a winning hit, or a seemingly impossible catch that would
clinch the game.

\"Clemente could field the ball in New York and throw out a guy in Pennsylvania,\"
broadcaster Vin Scully once said.

\"He\'s the strangest hitter in baseball, figure him one way and he\'ll kill you
another,\" said Sandy Koufax, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.

If there was ever as perfect player Clemente was it. Fans lined up at the gates of
Forbes Field to get in and watch him play when he was in town. Clemente had heart
and made all of us in the rust belt city feel a little bit better about ourselves.

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Clemente in 1955 and he started as their right
fielder. By 1960, he was a powerhouse player in the major leagues. He also helped
lead the Pirates to win both the National League pennant and the World Series.

\"I would be lost without baseball. I don\'t think I could stand being away from it as
long as I was alive,\" he said.

Clemente, 38, died in a plane crash Dec. 31, 1972.

On April 24, Sotheby's and SCP Auctions featured a selection of Clemente items in
its Sports Memorabilia auction. A game-worn batting helmet; caught by fan in box
seats; circa 1960s; sold for $32,200.

Read the entire article at: http://www.LiveAuctionTalk.com

RSS: http://www.liveauctiontalk.com/rss/lat.rss



Web Site: http://www.LiveAuctionTalk.com

Contact Details: Rosemary McKittrick
Santa Fe, NM
info@liveauctiontalk.com
505-989-7210