OTD 1972: Roberto Gets Number 3000

Sep 30, 2020 | Friends, On this Day

Most Used Tags

Phillies (96)White Sox (40)Dodgers (21)Pirates (18)Cardinals (15)Legacy Card Project (13)Hall of Fame (13)Athletics (12)Mike Schmidt (12)Friends (12)Wallpaper Wednesday (10)Cubs (10)Roberto Clemente (8)Willie Mays (7)Tony Taylor (7)Braves (7)Astros (7)Family (6)Ernie Banks (6)Teammates (6)Ed Herrmann (6)Giants (6)World Series (6)Yankees (5)Reds (5)Hank Aaron (5)Jim Bunning (5)Charlie Manuel (5)Wampum (5)Willie Stargell (5)Larry Bowa (4)JR Richard (4)Jackie Robinson (4)All Star Game (4)Greg Luzinski (4)Fun stuff (4)Angels (4)Goose Gossage (3)NLBM (3)Topps (3)Twins (3)Garry Maddox (3)Hank Allen (3)Mets (3)Lou Brock (3)HallofGame (3)Ryan Howard (3)Dave Cash (2)Steve Carlton (2)Brewers (2)Tony Perez (2)Robin Roberts (2)Jay Johnstone (2)Fergie Jenkins (2)Chase Utley (2)Bob Gibson (2)Eddie Murray (2)Roy Halladay (2)Spring Training (2)Negro League (2)website (2)Indians (2)Ryne Sandberg (2)Horse Racing (2)Dallas Green (2)Lyman Bostock (2)Bill Buckner (2)Larry Hisle (2)Comiskey Park (2)Jim Bibby (1)Rangers (1)Dave Parker (1)Larry Shenk (1)Cards (1)Nationals (1)Newark Eagles (1)Johnny Callison (1)Cookie Rojas (1)Rookie of the Year (1)Pete Rose (1)Carlos May (1)Bill Melton (1)Jimmy Rollins (1)Sadaharu Oh (1)Connie Mack Stadium (1)Larry Doby (1)Satchel Paige (1)Reggie Jackson (1)Joe Torre (1)Babe Ruth (1)Blue Jays (1)helmets (1)Manny Sanguillen (1)Pat Corrales (1)JT Realmuto (1)Carlton Fisk (1)Dock Ellis (1)Keith Moreland (1)Thurman Munson (1)Jerry Reuss (1)Tony Armas (1)George Scott (1)Steve Stone (1)Rod Carew (1)Tom Seaver (1)Fun (1)Little League (1)Jackie Robinson West (1)Joe Morgan (1)Chris Short (1)NLDS (1)Sparky Lyle (1)Pat Burrell (1)Jimmy Wynn (1)Willie Montanez (1)Vida Blue (1)Richie Ashburn (1)Andrew McCutchen (1)Rick Wise (1)Jim Rooker (1)Von Hayes (1)Steve Jeltz (1)Bob Watson (1)John Herrnstein (1)Bart Johnson (1)Tommy Hutton (1)Jim Lonborg (1)Frank Robinson (1)Al Kaline (1)Tigers (1)Sandy Koufax (1)Don Drysdale (1)Don Sutton (1)John Kennedy (1)John Olerud (1)Wilbur Wood (1)Jim Kaat (1)Minors (1)Jose Abreu (1)Bob Kendrick (1)Ozzie Smith (1)Kenny Lofton (1)Interviews (1)Coy Allen (1)Tony Gwynn (1)Padres (1)Williamsport (1)Ron Allen (1)Dennis Eckersley (1)Kirk Gibson (1)Red Sox (1)Shea Stadium (1)Tug McGraw (1)Harry Caray (1)Saratoga (1)Johnny Velazquez (1)Harry Kalas (1)Ed Spiezio (1)Richie Zisk (1)Matt Stairs (1)Roland Hemond (1)Harold Baines (1)Wes Covington (1)Bob Uecker (1)Todd Radom (1)Rhys Hoskins (1)Jorge Orta (1)Ron Guidry (1)Monte Irvin (1)Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame (1)Royals (1)basketball (1)Wilt Chamberlain (1)video (1)Johnny Oates (1)Opening Day (1)Manny Mota (1)2008 NLCS (1)Johnny Briggs (1)VOTE (1)
Show More Show Less

On this day in 1972, the Great Roberto Clemente became the 11th player in Major League History to reach that mark. Clemente was the first Latin player to gather 3,000 hits. No one knew at the time, it would be the last regular season hit of his Hall of Fame career.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, leading off against Jon Matlack, Clemente roped a double to left-center field at Three Rivers Stadium. The were just over 13,000 fans at the ballpark. Standing alone at second base, umpire Doug Harvey briefly stopped the game to give the ball to Clemente, who tossed it over to first-base coach Don Leppert. Roberto went on the score the game’s first run on a Manny Sangullien hit.

In between innings, the Mets’ Willie Mays, who had become the 10th member of the 3,000-hit club in July 1970, broke with baseball tradition when he left the visitors’ dugout to congratulate Clemente on the Pirates’ bench. Afterward Clemente jogged out to right field to start the fifth inning and doffed his cap to a still-standing crowd.

Roberto was due up with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, but his day was done. Manager Bill Virdon sent in soon to retire Bill Mazeroski to pinch hit. Maz was a teammate with both Clemente and Virdon on the 1960 World Series champion Pirates. The Pirates won the game 5-0.

Pittsburgh Pirates Roberto Clemente acknowledging cheers from the crowd after his 3000th hit.

Dick Allen on Twitter

Dick Allen Pinterest