⚾
NO STAT IS SAFE. NO ERA IS FORGOTTEN.
VOL. 1, NO. 12 · MAY 18, 2026 · EVERY MONDAY
ISSUE #012 · INTEGRATION
Roberto Clemente — 3,000th
Hit Was His Last At-Bat. Died
At 38.
On September 30, 1972, Roberto Clemente hit his 3,000th — and final — career hit. He died 92 days
📅 THIS DATE IN
BASEBALL later.
THE STAT THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST 01
BASEBALL HAS HAD LEGENDS. IT HAS HAD ONE SAINT.
.317 Career Average. 12 Gold Gloves. Died 92 Days
After His 3,000th Hit.
.317 Sep 30, 1972 Dec 31, 1972
ROBERTO CLEMENTE 3,000TH HIT DEATH
1973 12 All-time
HOF INDUCTION GOLD GLOVES best
RF ARM
Clemente's 3,000th hit came September 30, 1972 — his last regular season at-bat. On December 31, 1972,
he died in a plane crash delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was 38. The Hall of Fame
waived its five-year waiting period and inducted him in 1973.
THE GAME YOU FORGOT 02
VS New York Mets SEPTEMBER 30, 1972
Double 4th 92 (death) W
HIT # TYPE INNING DAYS LATER RESULT
The Last Hit
HE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THE LAST ONE
Clemente laced a double to left-center in the fourth inning on September 30, 1972 — career hit number
3,000. The Pittsburgh crowd gave him a standing ovation. He tipped his cap. Ninety-two days later he was
dead. His plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Rico on New Year's Eve. His body was never
recovered.
ERA VS ERA 03
Greatest Right Fielder In Baseball History?
ROBERTO CLEMENTE · 1955–1972 BABE RUTH · RF · 1920–1934
CAREER BA CAREER OPS+
.317 188
GOLD GLOVES VS CAREER WAR
CAREER WAR RF SEASONS (NYY)
94.5 12+
Ruth played right field for most of his Yankee career and his offensive numbers are otherworldly. Clemente's
defense and arm were in a category no other right fielder has approached. Honest answer: Ruth was the better
baseball player. Clemente was the greater right fielder by position value.
Greatest right fielder in baseball history?
ROBERTO CLEMENTE BABE RUTH HANK AARON FRANK ROBINSON
THE COLDEST MOMENT 04
DECEMBER 31, 1972 · OFF THE COAST OF PUERTO RICO
He Died Delivering Food To Earthquake Victims. His
Body Was Never Recovered.
Clemente organized the relief effort himself after hearing previous shipments were being
diverted by corrupt officials. He boarded the plane personally to ensure supplies arrived. The
DC-7 was overloaded and in poor condition. It crashed shortly after takeoff. Three bodies were
recovered. Clemente's was not. In Puerto Rico he is not a baseball player. He is a national hero.
Any time you have the opportunity to accomplish something for somebody who comes
behind you and you don't do it, you are wasting your time on this earth.
— ROBERTO CLEMENTE
THE STAT VAULT 05
CONSECUTIVE GOLD GLOVES · RF
1961 to 1972. His arm was so feared that CAREER BA
baserunners held up on hits other Hit .300+ 13 times. Only went below .289
outfielders would surrender extra bases once after his rookie year.
on.
CAREER HITS — EXACTLY HOF WITHOUT THE 5-YEAR WAIT
His 3,000th was a double September 30, Only two players in history: Lou Gehrig
1972. He died 92 days later. (1939) and Roberto Clemente (1973).
THE ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD
Given annually to the player who best represents baseball through community contributions. Named for him
since 1973.
THE FORGOTTEN MAN 06
OVERLOOKED · UNDERRATED · DESERVES MORE
Tony Oliva
MINNESOTA TWINS · 1962–1976
HOF (2022) · .304 CAREER BA · 8 ALL-STAR GAMES
Won Two Batting Titles In His First Two Seasons. Knees Ended His Career At
Tony Oliva won the AL batting title in his first two major league seasons — something nobody else has ever
done. He hit .323 and .321 in 1964-65. Then his knees gave out. He received HOF induction in 2022 — 46
years after he retired.
THE CONNECTION:
Oliva and Clemente were Latin American stars in the same era navigating the same cultural barriers.
Both arrived in English-only clubhouses in the early 1960s. Clemente got the visibility. Oliva's injuries
erased his.
COMING NEXT MONDAY
Next Monday: Satchel Paige debuted in the majors at 42 and posted a 1.86 ERA at 46. We'll never know his real
peak.
Who's Your Forgotten Man?
Reply with a player from any era who deserves more credit. Best answer gets featured next Monday.
All Eras. All Stats. No Debate.
Every Monday. No exceptions.