Pittsburgh’s pirates generated friction with fans during the first game of the team, since they rushed to point out that a tribute to Roberto Clemente was removed from the right field wall.
Clemente’s number 21 was marked near the foul pole in PNC Park to honor the late gardener who tragically died in a plane crash while giving help to Nicaragua in 1972. The organization honored Clement’s legacy with several taxes around the stadium since his death. MLB declared Roberto Clemente day on September.
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Pirate gardener Roberto Clemente poses for a portrait in Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. (Malcolm Emmons-USA Today Sports)
But as the 2025 season was launched, the tribute to the right field wall was replaced by a signal for surfesides alcoholic beverage.
Roberto Clemente Jr. was one of the discontent with the move.
“Yesterday, I was surprised to know that the sign of Clemente 21, a tribute to my father on the right wall in PNC Park in Pittsburgh, had been retired and replaced by an announcement,” said his statement on Sunday. “The change was made without communication or consultation with our family.
“While we appreciate that pirates recognized their failure to inform us, reveals a broader problem: a lack of significant collaboration between the organization and issues that are deeply personal and historically significant for us and fans.”
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The statue of the former right gardener of the pirates Roberto Clemente out of PNC Park in Pittsburgh, on September 15, 2024. (Charles Leclaire-Imagn images)
He added that the “support effusion” of fans was “deeply appreciated.”
“We have always been open to building a sincere and lasting association with pirates, one based on respect and shared values. Our hope is that the moment is an opportunity for reflection, racing the way for a more reflective, transparent and collaborative relationship that advances. I have the intention of communicating with the pirates to directly explore this beyond.”
Others reacted to the decision to eliminate tax on social networks.
The pirates reversed the course on Sunday.
“We did not intend to miss Roberto Clemente’s legacy by adding the announcement to the PAD in the right field,” said team president Travis Williams, in a statement.
“When we added the ad to the pad, it was an oversight not to keep the logo No. 21. This is ultimately on me, no one in the organization. It was an honest mistake.”
Roberto Clemente Jr., son of the right gardener of the Hall of Fame Roberto Clemente, at the shelter before the Baltimore Orioles game in PNC Park, June 21, 2011. (Charles Leclaire-Presswire)
The team said it would return the logo No. 21.
“We have used this area for ads for many years. When we did not have a sponsor that came out of Covid, we added an additional element in 2022 to honor Roberto’s legacy,” Williams added. “It was a replica of the three signed rivers honoring it.
“This adds to the many elements throughout the ball park that honor its legacy, including the fact that the wall is called the wall of Roberto Clemente, measures 21 feet high and has two No. 21.
“We want to make sure that the Clemente family understands that we do not intend to disrespect their father. We hope to continue our relationship with the Clemente family and apologize to them and our fans for our honest mistake.”
