Roberto Clemente: The Great One

by Bruce Markusen

Book Overview

Twenty-five years ago, Roberto Clemente made baseball history when he became the first Latin American to enter the Hall of Fame. Roberto Clemente: The Great One explores one of the game's most dynamic... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571672443
• ISBN13: 9781571672445
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Sports Publishing LLC
• Length: 362 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive Treatment of One of Baseball's Finest Players and Men

For the most part, this is a book about Roberto Clemente the baseball player, chronicling his career season by season. Clemente was known as "The Great One," but he was also the Proud One. He felt slighted for most of his career for not receiving the recognition he thought he deserved. But the 1971 World Series served to enlighten the public that he had always been among the very elite players of his day. Clemente was a four-time batting king, and as author Bruce Markusen observes, he had perhaps the greatest throwing arm of all time. Clemente always played with a greater drive. To me, key moments (discussed at length by Markusen) are his great hustling run-outs of weak infield grounders to pitchers in two different World Series, 1960 (Game 7) and 1971 (with the Pirates down 2-0 in the Series). Each led to a big inning and may have been the difference in the Series. Markusen gives substantial focus to Clemente the outspoken man. Roberto could rub people the wrong way because of his blunt complaints about perceived wrongs in baseball, and this often involved discrimination against black and Latin players. Markusen also discusses Clemente's frequent injuries and the accusations of his being a malingerer. A teammate who knew Clemente's injuries were real pointed out that sometimes Clemente did not want to play when injuries might cause him to embarrass himself, his family, or the team. This was a cultural difference that showed Clemente's pride but could be taken the wrong way. In any event, Clemente still did his share of playing hurt. But controversy seemed to swirl around him. Perhaps Clemente was too vain with respect to his playing abilities, but it is pointed out in this book that the Pirates right fielder wanted no attention when it came to his charitable and humanitarian efforts. The polar opposite became the case after he was killed in a DC-7 crash en route to Nicaragua to help earthquake victims. Teammate Willie Stargell observed: "Clemente's work with the relief effort was typical. He was always trying to help someone." Clemente's heroism on and off the field at the end of career rid him of any controversial image. In the last four chapters (post-mortem) Markusen explores the appreciation of the man and the ballplayer, and how he achieved mythic status in Puerto Rico. One of Clemente's goals was to see built a sports city that would provide opportunity and training for Puerto Rican athletes, and this dream was realized after his death. Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn observed that Clemente had "a touch of royalty" about him. That was shown in Clemente's skill as a ballplayer and his 1971 observation: "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."

Rave Review

I'm not sure where the previous reader is coming from. There is plenty about Clemente the man-- his sense of humor, his pride, his work ethic, his philanthropy. Yes, the emphasis is on baseball in this book, but thoughts on Clemente's personality and character are interspersed throughout. Great descriptions of Clemente in the World Series and in the '71 All-Star Game. I highly recommend this book.

An excellent read for fans of the GREAT CLEMENTE

The 1971 World Series was the first one that I remember vividly. I was nine years old at the time, and I remember rooting for the Pirates. I also vividly remember how Clemente took over the series. His talents were put on the national spotlight for baseball fans in a big way.This book in great detail displays not only Clemente's terrific skills as a baseball player, but also his wonderful work as a humanitarian and the numerous good deeds he did for men,women,and children.The book also discusses the many struggles that Clemente and other Latinos experienced during their careers. Clemente was an extremely proud man, and was justified in his anger when certain people tried to 'Americanize' him.It is rare for an athlete to become more popular after his death, but I believe that Clemente is a prime example of this. He never really got the national exposure he deserved until the 1971 World Series, and his death in 1972 cut short not only a tremendous playing career, but more importantly deprived the world of no doubt more humanitarian efforts to those in need. This is the second book written by Bruce Markusen that I have had the pleasure of reading. His talents as a baseball writer are evident, this is by far the best baseball book that I have read. I look forward to the next book!!!!!FIVE STARS for a greatly detailed book on one of the best baseball players of our time, but most important, one of the best human beings of our time.

A must read for Baseball fans

This book is a necesity for fans of the game, and fans of a truly great baseball player and humanitarian. Roberto Clemente was and still is a role model to all. Bruce Markusen does an incredible job relaying Clemente's legacy to his readers. Roberto is my favorite baseball player of all time, and he played for my favorite team. It is great to see such an accurate portrail of such a legend. To realize that athletes can be more than just a source of entertainment is hard enough to understand, let alone write an entire book on the subject. I highly recomend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about a true "legend of the game". I would also like to add that Bruce Markusen autographed my copy of this book. He is a great author and a class act.

A Great Read

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Its detail and comprehensiveness make it an insightful read into a complex man. I recommend it highly.