OnlyBucs

I saw Nats manager Dave Martinez interviewed today and he was wearing a "21" hat as Clemente is being honored. I think I'm in the minority, especially considering Clemente is my all time favorite player and I wore 21 on every uniform I ever had, but I fervently oppose the idea of forcing teams to retire 21. No Pirate will or should ever again wear 21. But it's awesome to see players or managers of other teams choosing to honor Roberto by wearing 21 without being forced to. Having every non-Pirate team retire 21 means nothing if they're forced to. But I love seeing other teams choose to honor Roberto, even if it means selecting his number to wear in his honor.



Personally, between softball and baseball I played OF for 35 years and always wore 21. I never once saw Clemente give less than 100% and while I couldn't approach a fraction of his ability, I always made it a point never to give less than 100% on any play because that's how I grew up watching him play. Nobody had his talent but we can all try our best to maximize our own abilities whatever they may be. Roberto was the best!

426F62737465723231000 wrote: I saw Nats manager Dave Martinez interviewed today and he was wearing a "21" hat as Clemente is being honored. I think I'm in the minority, especially considering Clemente is my all time favorite player and I wore 21 on every uniform I ever had, but I fervently oppose the idea of forcing teams to retire 21. No Pirate will or should ever again wear 21. But it's awesome to see players or managers of other teams choosing to honor Roberto by wearing 21 without being forced to. Having every non-Pirate team retire 21 means nothing if they're forced to. But I love seeing other teams choose to honor Roberto, even if it means selecting his number to wear in his honor.



Personally, between softball and baseball I played OF for 35 years and always wore 21. I never once saw Clemente give less than 100% and while I couldn't approach a fraction of his ability, I always made it a point never to give less than 100% on any play because that's how I grew up watching him play. Nobody had his talent but we can all try our best to maximize our own abilities whatever they may be. Roberto was the best!   
I agree with what you wrote. I wouldn't mind if players could wear a 21 patch on their uniforms if they wanted.

Sammy Sosa, Rubin Sierra, Carlos Delgado, Candy Maldonado, and Dickie Thon are just a few MLB players from other teams who chose to wear 21 because of the great Clemente.  I am watching the Reds' feed and they just noted how their pitcher Michael Lorenzen is a huge Clemente fan who asked to wear 21 as soon as Todd Frazier left the Reds.  They said Lorenzen has gone to Puerto Rico to visit the Clemente family and volunteer with their charitable projects.

15123E293F5C0 wrote: Sammy Sosa, Rubin Sierra, Carlos Delgado, Candy Maldonado, and Dickie Thon are just a few MLB players from other teams who chose to wear 21 because of the great Clemente.  I am watching the Reds' feed and they just noted how their pitcher Michael Lorenzen is a huge Clemente fan who asked to wear 21 as soon as Todd Frazier left the Reds.  They said Lorenzen has gone to Puerto Rico to visit the Clemente family and volunteer with their charitable projects.
To me, that's a much greater tribute than having the commissioner issue an edict that no one can wear 21.

Bryce Harper's cleats today:



https://www.mlb.com/cut4/bryce-harper-w ... -293488784

5A7C7D6A7C6C1F0 wrote: Bryce Harper's cleats today:



https://www.mlb.com/cut4/bryce-harper-w ... -293488784




I gotta admit that is very cool!