Roberto Clemente---1970
Part II
As we walk through life, there are
moments that are forever embedded
in our memories. Most revolve our
family and kids. Others around
historical events. For sports fans it
includes great plays.
When talking about Roberto
Clemente, many will remember his all
out play. His approach at the plate of
being a bad ball hitter, reaching for
the ball outside and driving it to right
field. Or his reckless abandon on the
base paths, running out from
underneath his helmet as he would
turn a double into a triple with his
helmet . Yet mostly we remember
Clemente for his tremendous arm.
His long throws with their perfect arc,
outstanding velocity and accuracy
were things of beauty.
As a scout, I rate and compare
players abilities and tools. Using a
scale of 20 to 80, where 20 is low, 50
is major league average and 80 is
excellent; Clemente's arm rated an
80. It helped him win 12 consecutive
Gold Gloves.
Here is a link to PBS.org and the
American Experience program on
Roberto Clemente:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/clemen
te/program/
You can catch a glimpse of the truly
outstanding player and person
Clemente was, which earned him the
distinction of being the first Latin
player to be inducted in the Baseball
Hall of Fame.
From time-to-time, I will close my
eyes to remember a Clemente throw
and remind myself of an 80 arm. And
no, I have yet to mark down an 80 on
an arm....
(6/2/08)
As we walk through life, there are
moments that are forever embedded
in our memories. Most revolve our
family and kids. Others around
historical events. For sports fans it
includes great plays.
When talking about Roberto
Clemente, many will remember his all
out play. His approach at the plate of
being a bad ball hitter, reaching for
the ball outside and driving it to right
field. Or his reckless abandon on the
base paths, running out from
underneath his helmet as he would
turn a double into a triple with his
helmet . Yet mostly we remember
Clemente for his tremendous arm.
His long throws with their perfect arc,
outstanding velocity and accuracy
were things of beauty.
As a scout, I rate and compare
players abilities and tools. Using a
scale of 20 to 80, where 20 is low, 50
is major league average and 80 is
excellent; Clemente's arm rated an
80. It helped him win 12 consecutive
Gold Gloves.
Here is a link to PBS.org and the
American Experience program on
Roberto Clemente:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/clemen
te/program/
You can catch a glimpse of the truly
outstanding player and person
Clemente was, which earned him the
distinction of being the first Latin
player to be inducted in the Baseball
Hall of Fame.
From time-to-time, I will close my
eyes to remember a Clemente throw
and remind myself of an 80 arm. And
no, I have yet to mark down an 80 on
an arm....
(6/2/08)
