Vera Clemente, MLB ambassador and widow of Pirates legend Roberto Clemente, dies at 78
Vera Clemente, one of the game’s great ambassadors and the widow of Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, has died, the team announced Saturday. She was 78.
Pirates owner Bob Nutting released a statement praising her strength after the tragic loss of her husband and compassion as an ambassador of the team, baseball and her native Puerto Rico.
A statement from Bob Nutting, Pirates Chairman of the Board, on the passing of Vera Clemente. pic.twitter.com/VwfYX3xeQ6
— Pirates (@Pirates) November 17, 2019
As chairwoman of the Roberto Clemente Foundation, Vera worked as a goodwill ambassador for MLB and actively worked to preserve her husband’s humanitarian legacy. To raise funds for a sporting complex in Puerto Rico, she gave fundraising speeches and hosted a telethon to make her husband’s dream of the complex come true.
Forever grateful to Vera Clemente for advancing the great humanitarian legacy of her family. Rest In Peace. #MLB @Pirates @baseballhall pic.twitter.com/TPQDZKMvD8
— Mike Teevan (@MRTeevs) November 17, 2019
Clemente would also be on hand each year for the presentation of the Roberto Clemente Award, given to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team.”
The award’s most recent winner was Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco for his support of child cancer patients as he fought the disease himself.
Vera is survived by her three sons, Roberto Clemente Jr., Luis and Enrique.
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