Episode 10: Luis Rodríguez-Mayoral

[00:00:08] Speaker A: Welcome. Bieng Benidos. Thanks for joining us on the talking 21 podcast, the official podcast dedicated to the extraordinary life and legacy of the great one, number 21, Roberto Clemente Walker. Before we begin our final episode for season one, I want to once again thank our faithful listeners who have supported my newest venture into the world of podcasting. Along with the talking 21 crew. This truly has been a phenomenal experience to interview those who were directly impacted by Clemente's heartfelt words and humanitarianism. Clemente's spirit continues to reverberate throughout the world as we once again pause to remember and celebrate his extraordinary life. Where were you when Roberto Clemente perished on December 30, 172? I was seven years old and I asked this question to our listeners because surely a number of you weren't even born yet when this tragic accident occurred off the coast of Puerto Rico. But like me, if you have been a devoted fan and a follower of Clemente's legacy as a player and advocate for the less fortunate, that date will never be the same. Yet the late puerto rican sports writer Elia Castro once said, that night on which Roberto Clemente left us physically, his immortality began. It's almost New Year's Eve and our next guest was a close friend of the great one. Not only was he with Clemente throughout the mid sixty? S, but certainly throughout those final seasons in the 1970s. Roberto Clemente Day at Three River Stadium, the 1971 World Series, watching from the press box, the 3000 fit and sadly on the island of Puerto Rico when he heard the news of his friend's tragic passing on a humanitarian mission to Nicaragua. A native aponce, Puerto Rico, Luis Rodriguez mayoral, who just celebrated his 50th anniversary in baseball, witnessed Clemente's heroics up close and prior to Clemente's passing, even sat down to discuss his next project, Sports City, a multi sports complex for children in Puerto Rico. Malloral's five decade career evolved from being a former scout, puerto rican winter league GM, broadcaster, latino liaison, public relations with the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers. But today, he's an accomplished writer of numerous articles and author of five books. He helped break down barriers within the world of organized baseball and his crowning achievement occurred 50 years ago as the founder coordinator of the Latin American Baseball Players Day throughout Major League Baseball, and he has received numerous awards, including entrance into the Puerto rican Sports hall of Fame in 2013. Luis is a proud man who I've known for twelve years and fondly will always call his dear friends Poppy as a sign of endearment and brotherhood, but along with his loving wife he reflects daily on the everyday occurrences throughout the world and lives by this simple credo. I am a son of God and a citizen of the world. [00:03:56] Speaker B: Luis, for our talking 21 listeners, first and foremost, thank you so very much for joining us. And please know how deeply, deeply I appreciate this friendship and this mutual respect for one another. And it's just been an amazing journey, the two of us, these last twelve years. So for our listeners, Luis, can you share with those that are going to be listening to our podcast a little bit about yourself, your childhood, and your eventual involvement in Major League Baseball? [00:04:27] Speaker C: Of course, Danny. I was born in Ponza, Puerto Rico, 75 years ago. My father was a career military officer, so I grew up between Ponza, Puerto Rico, Panama and Seattle, Washington. Now, since I was a child, for some unexplainable reason, there was always a love for the game inside of me. First game I ever went to was in Ponce, two days before my dad had to leave the island to go to the korean conflict. And we went up an incline from there. As a five, six year old, I saw players out on the field and I felt that my soul, my spirit got away from my physical being and the joy that I felt to this day. I can't believe how happy I was that moment. One thing led to another. I had a relative, Radamez Malloral, who's a publicist, but he was also the voice of the winter league. So my life within the game, you can say, travels through a boulevard that God laid out there for me. One thing led to another. And as we continue in our chat, I'll give you more specifics, but I was born to do what I am doing. [00:05:50] Speaker B: Well, you know, Luis, just last week you celebrated your 75th birthday. So on behalf of all of us at happy birthday. And this year also marks a very important milestone in your life. It's your 50th year in baseball. And with the blessings of the commissioner at that time in 1970, the late, great buoy Kuhn, he's also inducted in the Baseball hall of Fame. There was something that you were very responsible for and instrumental of putting together in July of 1970 and Atlanta, Georgia. And for our listeners, please share with us what occurred 50 years ago. [00:06:32] Speaker D: As I was growing up, I was. [00:06:35] Speaker C: Like a little rat in a library. I was always in libraries looking for. [00:06:40] Speaker D: Books, mostly baseball biographies. [00:06:43] Speaker C: So it was all within me. And since I was living in Panama. [00:06:49] Speaker D: In the mid fifty s, I started. [00:06:52] Speaker C: Getting the feel that guys like big power, Minnie Minoso, you name it, Aparicio from Venezuela, they were recognized as good ball players, but they really didn't get the credit I believe that they deserved. And I was a very young kid that went on and on. One thing led to another in my route through life. I had the blessing that God opened doors for me. And those idols when I was young, including Orlando Sepeda, Roberto Clemente, Ruin Gomez and so forth, I got to meet them. And by age twelve or 13, I had a feeling that someday I had to contribute to the recognition of their accomplishments. Rich in history within Major league Baseball, they were not being paid decently either in comparison to players in the states. So it was all within the plan that God gave for me to live. And in 1970, I got with Commissioner Boek, thanks to Bobby Maduro, who was one of his executives at the commissioner's office, and they accepted. Bowie particularly accepted the idea of a latin american baseball player's day brief pregame ceremony. Different stadiums every year, recognizing the contributions, riching accomplishments of the latino players to major League Baseball. One thing led to another. Little by little it picked up among the executives in the game. And for 25 years I celebrated that with the approval of the office of the commissioner as a nonprofit event. Today it's still being held. It's not a latin american baseball player's name necessarily, but it is an activity which honors the contributions of Latinos to the best baseball in the world, Major League Baseball. [00:08:51] Speaker B: And you know the amazing thing as well, Luis? It's my honor that I actually have one of those awards in my collection when you presented it to Roberto in 1972. So having you on our program today on our podcast, I got chills almost to say that here it is. That award that's directly behind me was once held by the great one and your dear friend, Roberto Clemente. All these years, Luis, and our friendship of twelve years, I've been blessed to have written for a number of publications, websites, you name it, I've had an opportunity to contribute a piece or two. Specifically, I still to this day have contributed and still to the Baseball hall of Fame in Cooperstown. But one of the things, Luis, that's always impressed me about you is your oratorical skills. They're absolutely top notch. When did you realize, Luis, you had this gift of public speaking and to do play by play? Because I believe certainly people forget you actually did over, Luis, correct me if I'm wrong, over 2000 major league baseball broadcasts, and that's something that needs to be recognized and celebrated. So please, Luis, for our listeners, tell us, how did you get this gift of gab, so to speak? [00:10:15] Speaker C: Well, it all comes with the package, you know what I mean? The Lord wanted me to serve him by way of the game of baseball. So my verb comes as an inspiration, a gift of him to me to be able to have done what I have done. As I said, library. I loved reading the libraries I went to regularly. It's not like today you had to go to a library, check out a book. And it was education that I imposed on me. And then the verb like I comes from God, the love of the game from God. So one thing led to another, and it's gotten me here already during 50 years. Danny. At times I say, wow, what is this? Everything was easy for me, like the doors opening miraculously. First Boikyung, then Peter Uberoff, commissioner, then Bargia, Maddie, Ife, Vincent. Those were the key individuals that for whatever reason, like me, they saw that I was sincere about what I wanted to do as to the recognition of the latino players, and at the same time, having played juvenile baseball, university baseball, et cetera, et cetera, everything fell into place. It was so easy for me. And then God gave me a personality, I guess people like, because I'm very sincere and I do express my feelings with due respect, always. I'm not afraid to speak. And then doing the play by play since I was a kid, I do it at home, you know what I mean? One thing led to another until I reached some lofty pinnacles in that profession. I did nine full years of a Texas Rangers baseball. I did baseball from New York Yankees, particularly in the 70s, going into the it's been a good life. I love the mic. It gives me life, it gives me energy. So I'm just a package that got sent to the world to be within the game of baseball among my responsibilities as a citizen. [00:12:34] Speaker B: And is it an amazing Luis, when you think about it, what you just said, I love the mic. And Luis, I'm seeing that you're loving this new way of social media and communicating in a video conference manner, and you're loving it as well, because I'm seeing the way you're coming off, and people are really going to enjoy this podcast because we got some amazing stories to share. [00:12:56] Speaker C: But let me tell you quickly, I never think that I am better than anyone. My professor, Roberto Colomete, he told me a few times, I'm not better than that guy. He's not better than me. And I learned that young in the early twenty s, you see? So that's how I focus life. I give respect to everyone. I don't believe I'm superior to anyone, I'm just a down to earth guy who loves the game. [00:13:22] Speaker D: And by an act of God, everything. [00:13:26] Speaker C: I've accomplished, I always have God in mind, and I'm thankful that I'm serving him this way. [00:13:33] Speaker B: You know, Luis, this month, December, for you and for countless individuals, those that are still alive, know it's a tough month when we remember your dear friend who passed away tragically on Eve. You know, I think about that sometimes, Luis, that here it is. I've been a fan as a term that you labeled a group of us Clementistas. And certainly I think about that, that here it is that so many people turn to you. You're going to be featured on a program tomorrow, I believe, in the Pittsburgh area, on kind of like the remaining, I guess, months leading up to his tragic passing. But, Luis, can it be a bit emotional and daunting when every year, the media, various individuals, maybe someone's putting together documentary that they're coming to speak to Luis, to hear once again about your dear friend Roberto Clemente? [00:14:36] Speaker C: You know, it still hurts at times. I think that he's still with us, like history plays with my mind. And I felt a few times that I have had him before me. Our relationship started when I was very young, maybe 1819, and he impacted me. [00:15:02] Speaker D: In a way where our common denominator. [00:15:06] Speaker C: As to a friendship, brotherhood was not baseball. It was him explaining to me what he felt towards the needy in the world, the people who suffer, the hungry, the poor people. No, doctor, not this, not that. And I knew right there and then that he was a cat of a different breed. Of the many ball players, thousands in my career that I have dealt with, majority of them are still my friends. I say that no one walked on a baseball field at the major league level who was really that close to the philosophies of Christianity that God gave the world. So that's why I respected him. I have never pretended to canonize Roberto Clemente because he was as human as you and me and Ricel, for never, never did I do that. But he was a special kind of human being. He was genuine. He was serious about anything he did in life. He always liked to dress with perfection, you know what I mean? Because he felt the pride that he. [00:16:13] Speaker D: Had to be an example for other. [00:16:17] Speaker C: Persons, particularly Latinos in the US of a, trying to make that transition. He felt pride, but he wasn't pride to demean anyone. He just felt pride who he was. And he wanted to be an example as to know. [00:16:35] Speaker B: It's interesting that you said too Luis, about you have never canonized Rouelto. And it's interesting that one of our first guests, actually the first guest, the son of Phil Dorsey, who we obviously have both known for a number of years, his dad actually said after Clemente's passing in one of the local papers in Pittsburgh, he said something, and I'm paraphrasing, he wasn't a saint, but he was the closest thing to one. So I just thought that's rather interesting that here it is, that you said something similar to what Phil Dorsey said, who actually met Roberto way before Luis mayoral. [00:17:17] Speaker C: They met in 55 by Bob friend, who was a pitcher for the Pirates, who was also a member of the National Guard, where Phil Dorsey was also a member. And Bob friend understood that Roberto, having come to the states the previous year or to America, North America and Montreal, Roberto was going to have a difficult time making that transition. So Bob friend told Asfield Dorsey, help him. And they were best of friends, his. [00:17:45] Speaker D: 18 years at the major league level. [00:17:49] Speaker B: I remember, Luis, you actually, and I have it, I kind of like to call it the Luis Myrad files. And it was a card that Phil Dorsey sent to you. You might recall that you sent that to me. And it said something to the effect of Roberto was right about, you remember, luis, when you sent me that card that he actually inscribed inside the know, after that tragic, phil, I've heard so many good things about him from players that interacted with him after Roberto's passing. So here it is. After that tragic accident, Luis, a mutual colleague of ours, Cal Wagenheim, was the first person to come out with a book dedicated exclusively to Clemente's life and eventual, as we start to now use the word often, legacy. And I haven't spoken to Cal in quite some time, but the book was released within six months after Clemente's death. And here it is, ten years ago, I invited him to a Clemente event in the Bronx. And I remember after leaving, and I'm taking him to a Penn station. He lived in Jersey, still believe he lives in Jersey, maybe also travels to Puerto Rico as well. He said to me, danny, I can't believe that Clemente is still. [00:19:03] Speaker A: His name is still remembered. He's this big. [00:19:06] Speaker B: And I said, cal, if I had to recommend something to you, I believe you should re release your book. And he just was amazed that I even brought that up. And he said, well, Danny, I would like you to contribute to the new prologue. And I said, well, I have to do it with Luis Mayoral, which we both did. We collaborated on the rerelease of the book. So, Luis, you have a chapter in that book, and it's chapter eleven. Can you, for our listeners, talk about the questions that Cal Wagonheim asked of you so many years ago, back in 1973, when this book was released? Chapter eleven. [00:19:41] Speaker C: First of all, let me tell you, I knew of Cal Wagonheim because in Puerto Rico, he wrote for the San Juan Star, the only English speaking daily. [00:19:51] Speaker D: Then no longer exists. [00:19:53] Speaker C: So I knew who he was. Very well respected and intellectual, down to earth human being whose wife, precisely, is from Puerto Rico. So at the time of Roberto's death, I had been scouting the winter league. [00:20:07] Speaker D: For the Pittsburgh Pirates. [00:20:10] Speaker C: When Roberto died, there was a flight that came in from Pittsburgh with maybe 40, 50 members of the Clement, of the Pittsburgh family to pay respects to the Clemente family. And Joe Brown, the general manager, may he rest in peace, told me, Louise, you're with us. I want you to be our official representative on the island. Besides doing the scouting in winter baseball, you're going to be our guy. Anything related to the pirates, but particularly to the death of Roberto Clemente and whatever was going to come up based on that tragedy. So I knew Cal and Clemente's number was retired April 6, 1973, at Three river stadium. I believe it was a Thursday, if. [00:20:57] Speaker D: I'm not mistaken, and I had been in picture a couple of days. [00:21:01] Speaker C: On the fifth, I got a call at my room at the Hilton, and it was Cal. I said, cal wagon hand, the guy who wrote for the paper in Puerto Rico? [00:21:10] Speaker D: Yes. [00:21:10] Speaker C: He told me he was doing a bio. So we met in the lobby of the Hilton, maybe two or 3 hours. And that's how I was able to go into my experiences, my relationship with Roberto. And I still have a few copies of that book. And that opened the doors for so many other biographies that have been written about Roberto Clemente. Roberto Clemente was a special kind of. [00:21:36] Speaker D: Person, no doubt, no doubt. [00:21:38] Speaker B: And you know what I love about that chapter, Luis, is you talk about Roberto's hands. Could you at least once again, for the listeners, make that analogy almost like that metaphorical sentence, so to speak, phrase on how you talk about the essence of Clemente's hands? [00:21:56] Speaker C: You have a great memory, Danny. I say basically this. Roberto's hands were large and beautiful. While on the playing field, throwing, hitting. He could grab the ball in the bat with the strength of a tiger. This is all know. But at the same time, those were the hands that I saw many times, very gently caress or tap the head of a baby. Those hands, to me, represented basically what Roberto Clemente was all about. Seriousness when he had to be serious, tender when he had to be tender, and a dedicated human being who really cared for mankind. He was a special person. He was a special person. Thanks for bringing that to my memory. [00:22:41] Speaker B: Again, Luis, something you did so many years later in 1987. [00:22:49] Speaker A: You wrote your own book, and you. [00:22:51] Speaker B: Decided to write it in Spanish, dedicated to the great one. Interesting enough. Luis, I don't know if you realize this. There's 121 pages in your book where all proceeds went to sports City, which was the dream that Clemente had for the children of Puerto Rico. And I have a copy, and you actually signed that copy for me a few years ago. It's super rare to collectors. But there's a chapter, one of my favorite chapters. There's two chapters that I love, and it's in Spanish. And certainly I got to take my time when it comes to reading the language of my parents, but certainly of my own heritage. But the translation of that chapter is batting for the pirates wearing number 21, Roverto Clemente. I enjoyed reading about the late hall of Fame pitcher who, interesting enough, played for the New York Mets, the late Tom Siever, who passed away, sadly, like so many hall of famers that we lost this year. And there were quotes that you were able to attribute to Tom Siever on his thoughts on Clemente and seeing some rare picks. Luis, like, I'm like, where did Luis get these picks of some hitting and throwing drills? So, Luis, talk about that project that you decided to put this book together, dedicated to Mrs. Clemente as well, to proceeds, would go to Sports City. Talk about that project. [00:24:14] Speaker C: I'd never been afraid of death, but that was 87. That was 15 years after his death. One day I said, I'm going to do something on Roberto. Should the Lord call me, I want to leave behind my experiences with him, what I got to know about the. [00:24:32] Speaker D: Man, and that's how it came to be. [00:24:35] Speaker C: It was short as two pages. But as I said, my style, my type of writing is more essays than going into researching history. For years and years. I just don't have that knack in me. But that book sold, like, overnight for Puerto Rico, was like 18,000 copies. They were sold in a month or two months. [00:24:58] Speaker B: Wow. [00:25:01] Speaker C: What inspired me was that I felt obligation then if I had lived so many beautiful moments with Roberto that I had to share with other human beings and future generations. And like you will say, you have a copy of that book. Very few exist, but it was an honor to do that and more. When I gave it legally the rights to Vera Clemente, the sports city, whatever purpose she wanted it for. That was my gift to her, because she was also very nice and a very dear friend. [00:25:36] Speaker B: And talking about, as I always referred to her, luis, you will never hear me ever say about the late, great Donia Vera Clemente. I've always referred to her as Donia Vera. You have another chapter in there, one of the chapters that I enjoyed reading as well. The king and his princess. And for our listeners, you just mentioned Donyavera share with us about this beloved wife, this mother, this grandmother, and actually, and most importantly, your dear friend, Donya Vera Clemente. [00:26:10] Speaker D: Yes. [00:26:10] Speaker C: Roberto and Vera met in the, I guess, early sixty s in their hometown, Catolina, Puerto Rico. Roberto went to a drugstore, and there he saw this beautiful lady. And he knew right there and then that was the one. So before taking any action, he went around town, found out about her, the family, et cetera, et cetera. But funny is the fact that he told me and his mom, donya Luisa, may she rest in peace, that shortly after meeting her, a few hours later, Roberto went to see his mom and he told her, ma v alamohe Casar, I just saw the lady who I am going to marry. One thing led to another. They were married November 14, 1964, at the church in the town square in Catalina. And they were the perfect couple. [00:27:06] Speaker D: They were the perfect couple. [00:27:08] Speaker C: I never saw them arguing. It was always tenderness, niceness. And that was a couple made in heaven. And I like to say this, danny, always, and I'm not exaggerating, Roberto and Vera, with his fame, money, everything. Roberto and Vera never let society contaminate them. That was a beautiful marriage made by God. So that's how I always remember him and her. And she with me was like a big sister. Very nice, gentle. I helped her in so many ways, and I thank God I had the opportunity. Once Alberto passed, she became part of my family and part of my relatives. She was a classy lady. May she rest in peace. [00:27:56] Speaker B: Yes. And, Luis, I wanted to also add to that. Here it is. And I wish I was with you. You were with her September of 2019, working on a documentary that I'm sure it's in the works. And you were there in Pittsburgh with her. So you were with her two months before she passed away. Do you remember that last conversation, thinking about it right at this very moment, what she said to you, what you and Donya Vera communicated with that day? I know Al Oliver was there, Manny Sangian. It was at the museum in Pittsburgh. But do you remember that last course? [00:28:34] Speaker C: Of course, Annie. First of all, I hadn't seen her in a few years. There was like a patio outside of the Roberto Clementum Museum operated by Mr. [00:28:45] Speaker D: Reader. [00:28:46] Speaker C: And I saw her get out of a car. But then she needed assistance walking. [00:28:52] Speaker D: And that hit me. [00:28:53] Speaker C: I said, this is not right. So I went to her. She saw me, her eyes opened, know? Give her a hug. [00:29:04] Speaker B: Which is what Roberto called you. [00:29:05] Speaker C: He called you Luisito, diminutive of Luis. So we sat down. But my heart hurt more when I. [00:29:16] Speaker D: Spoke to her, God bless her. [00:29:18] Speaker C: And she wasn't there. [00:29:20] Speaker D: Danny, you follow? [00:29:21] Speaker C: She wasn't know. We talked basic things. How are you? Something I didn't want to go too deep into conversation, because I knew that. [00:29:33] Speaker D: For whatever reason, that was not the Vera I knew. [00:29:37] Speaker B: There was a decline, Luis. There was a decline in her health. [00:29:40] Speaker C: Yes, there was a decline. We can put it in nice words like that. There was a. You know, when I left, I gave her a kiss on the forehead. Manny Sanguill was there with me, Al Oliver. I didn't know it would be the last time I would see her, but to this day I suffer a lot emotionally. One of the things in life, like you said before, so many things I lit with Roberto and her, but particularly many times, maybe ten times throughout the years, she always brought something up. She would tell me that at night, around three or four in the morning, oh, my gosh, she would wake up thinking that Roberto was alive. And in her mind, she would hear a knock on the door. She went to the door, she opened the door and there was Roberto in. [00:30:40] Speaker D: Her mind, telling her. [00:30:44] Speaker C: I am home at last. Those were her words to me, so many times more private, know. But she had the confidence to share that with me. And I remember that to this day. And it brings tears to my eyes. That was the type of love that between Roberto and Clemente. [00:31:04] Speaker B: It was something, you know, listening to your words, Luis, I'm going to also refer back to your book on page six. When I saw this image for the very first time, and I don't think a number of those that collect Clemente memorabilia and publications and little knickknacks, I don't think too many people have seen. There's an interesting animation inside of your book. I did a headcount, Luis. There's about 34 kids of different nationalities wearing sporting gear. And there's even a handicapped child pulling a block. There's someone kind of working some sort of like an erector set, a forklift. Luis, could you tell me was this. [00:31:48] Speaker A: Your idea of putting this animation in there? [00:31:51] Speaker B: Because interesting enough, once all these building blocks were stacked up, it would create a profile of Roberto Clemente in a Pittsburgh pirate uniform. So here it is. All these kids are carrying these building blocks. Someone is with a forklift, putting them perfectly, stacking them up. Luis, whose idea was this to put this image inside your book? [00:32:12] Speaker C: Let me tell you how this came to be. Danny Ramayo, brothers printing. I believe it still exists in Puerto Rico. The owner, Angel Ramayo, when I took the idea of my book, everyone in that print shop went crazy. A book, Uncle Amente, I showed them, like you well, mentioned, the pictures I had, et cetera, et cetera. And there was so much interest that I told Angel Ramayo, let your personnel know, whoever is the specialist in this, that they can collaborate with their art. That's how it came to be. The arts department of Ramayo printing came up with that. And what basically that symbolizes is the. [00:32:57] Speaker D: Youth of Puerto Rico constructing an image. [00:33:02] Speaker C: Of Roberto Clemente, thanking him for his legacy as human being. Obviously, Clemente was the ball player, the star player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and that's how that illustration came to be. I shared the creativity, not me. You know, my soul, Danny. I shared with the people who work in the print shop, and that was the product of that illustration on page six, I believe. [00:33:30] Speaker D: Yes. [00:33:31] Speaker B: That's the nice thing about what you did there, Luis, that here it is. You allowed the publisher to include some artwork which actually, luis, it's quite nice. I can just imagine if there was a print created for others to see know. Luis, I'm going to try to say right now, off the top of my head, maybe it was about. I don't know. Luis, eight, nine years ago, I received a special gift from you in the mail. Like always, Luis, you surprised me with a book to read. But this particular one, I'm going to use a Luis maural term. You shook me. So this was a copy of Clemente's own handwritten notes. And I have those notes. I treasure them. It certainly is only a copy. You have the original notes. But Luis, in our. Luis Clemente, that is in our previous podcast, mentioned when I gave him a copy in 2013 at city Field during the all star game, he became quite emotional. Luis, I will tell you that I did tell him it was from you. And I like, luis, for you to share with our listeners what these notes and his own handwriting, what it consisted of. [00:34:46] Speaker C: During the late 60s, Roberto spoke to. [00:34:50] Speaker D: Me many times about his dream to. [00:34:53] Speaker C: Construct, to create a sports city. He didn't want it named after him. He just wanted a sports city in Puerto Rico, where all discipline in the world of sports were practiced, where there was education, arts, et cetera, et cetera. And the thing is, he felt that the governors of the island had been taking him on a long ride, commencing in the 60s, mid sixty s or whatever. We're going to help you construct it. No one helped him. They just wanted photo ops, have lunch with him and so forth. But no one said, let's go. So around 19, 69, 70, we started kind of like toying with what he wanted for the sports city, the purposes, what he wanted, constructed, the educational program, et cetera, et cetera. And between late November of 1971 until the time he left for spring training in February 1972, every Friday from like eight to midnight, I'd go up to his home in urbanization, San Agostini, Rio Piedras, and we just talked and chatted about how he envisioned the Clemente sports City. And those are two of several pages I have where, in his own handwriting, he put down what he wanted for the sports city. I never threw him away. I never imagined that one day he'd be gone so young. So I'm very meticulous as to my collections, and I'm not a collector, but that is something that I saved without knowing that he would leave us. That same year, 1972. Those are the handwritten notes. I gave you a copy. I respect you, and that's just how it is. Things like that happen, and I'm glad I saved them. [00:36:55] Speaker B: Luis Clemente achieved numerous milestones in his 38 years with us. You were present for a number of those extraordinary moments, specifically the 3000 fit in Pittsburgh. Take us back to that memorable game against the Mets. Actually, as you know, Luis is my hometown New York Met team, my favorite team. It's ironic to think that he would take a picture with the great Willie Maze, who was with the Mets at that time in 1973. And as you know, Luis Clemente amaze played together in Puerto Rico and were teammates on the Santur Se Crabers team in the 1950s. So, Luis, if you can, for our listeners, talk about the pregame, the post game leading up to that momentous occasion, the 3000 fit. [00:37:47] Speaker C: Of course, that was Saturday, September 30. I got to the ballpark, three rivers. [00:37:57] Speaker D: About the same time he arrived. [00:37:59] Speaker C: So we talked a while prior to getting ready for the game and so forth. [00:38:05] Speaker D: He told me, if I get it. [00:38:08] Speaker C: I'm out immediately the next inning. And he said, lucido coming down, so we can talk for a while. Remember our common denominator as to friendship, brotherhood was not the game. It was the world, politics, whatever. It was not the game of baseball. So he gets the hit. It was 300 and 07:00 p.m. In the afternoon. Kind of like a drizzly Saturday. Only 13,117 fans were present. [00:38:40] Speaker B: Is that crazy when you think about that, Luis? That so many, few fans were there? [00:38:44] Speaker C: Incredible. 13,117. So as soon as he gets a hit, a double one bounce to left. [00:38:56] Speaker D: Center of our dear friend John Matlack. [00:39:00] Speaker C: I went down, I excused myself from the broadcast. [00:39:03] Speaker D: I went down. [00:39:04] Speaker C: And Julie Hallinan was a clubhouse manager. And he and I kidded a lot. And he knew that I always called, you know, like Roberto. That was my way of calling him. So when Julie heard my voice, he opened the door. So I went in there and he. [00:39:23] Speaker D: Was in his shorts, no shirt. [00:39:28] Speaker C: I gave him an embrace immediately. And then I gave him a kiss on the right side of his neck. And he looked at me. Hey, hey. I spoke to your mom from the booth prior to the game. She asked me, Lucito, if he gets a hit, you give him a kiss for me. And I kissed Roberto when I told him that, he cracked up. So I stayed there well over an hour. And the first member of the media, maybe like the 18 that was allowed. [00:40:00] Speaker D: Was dig young from the Daily News in New York. [00:40:03] Speaker C: My dear friend too. So we chatted with him for about another 40 minutes or so. And then a haemorage of media people came in. But I'll never forget that day. That's something. [00:40:17] Speaker D: One of those moments that still is. [00:40:22] Speaker C: Safely guarded in my memory. That was a great moment. You'll never forget, man. Never forget. [00:40:33] Speaker B: And our listeners and Luis, I hope you're going to bring this up. Let's talk about that sign. Let's not forget that sign. [00:40:39] Speaker C: Oh, yeah, there has been a picture going around, Roberto, white cardboard, 3000 hits. And I told you, and I told a few people who wrote that for him was yours truly during the time we spent there after the 3000 hit in the clubhouse. So it was something made to be, man. It was God's plan for me to be there. And it was really outstanding. It's one of those moments that imprinted in my mind forever. I'll never forget how proud he was. [00:41:13] Speaker B: How proud he know, talking about proud and for the community, especially that have been aficionados of the negro leagues. Last week there was a major announcement that came directly from the commissioner's office finally recognizing the negro leagues and the inclusion of those stats. And you know, Luis, and surely our talking 21 listeners know that a number of baseball hall of Famers, whether it's Josh Gibson, Satchel Page, Monty Irving, Cool Papa Bell, I mean, can we go on with all of those names with names that had even nicknames attached to them as well, that they're all played in the negro leagues, Willie Mays played in the negro leagues, Hank Aaron. But certainly that they will finally, those stats will be recognized as major league stats. So, Luis, there's two individuals that I know, and I hope that you're on the same page with me with this, that were negro league players that were instrumental in the career of Roberto Clemente Walker and I believe really contributed to his greatness and for our listeners, Luis, can you share who those two players were? [00:42:30] Speaker D: Of course. [00:42:31] Speaker C: Roberto was a kid. There was winter baseball. He played for San Juan. Name was Monty Irving. Roberto, as a kid, would wait for Monty Irving at the entrance to six to Escobar stadium. And Monty kind of liked know. And every time they were out there. [00:42:55] Speaker D: Mostly weekends, Monty would let Roberto carry. [00:42:59] Speaker C: His luggage into the ballpark. So that was impacting. Monty never forgot that they got enshrined into the hall of Fame in 1973 on the same day. [00:43:11] Speaker B: That's just Luis. When I think about that, Luis. The same day, Monty Irvin, his boyhood idol, is inducted in 1973. Wow. [00:43:22] Speaker C: And the other one, Danny, was Franco Imbre. Coimbre was a superb ball player, great ball player. He never made major league Baseball due to the color barrier, but he was also a scout for the Pirates in Puerto Rico. Roberto got him that job in the early 50s after he retired. They were like father and son. So that was a beautiful relationship. Roberto even invited Frank Coimbra to the Pittsburgh Pirate spring training in the late sixty s. And that was a highlight of Coimbra's life. But now that you bring this, I have to bring up the name of a gentleman, you know? I know. Jorge Colon Delgado. Jorge Colon Delgado is the official historian of the Puerto Rican Winter League. To me, Danny, on the island, there has never been a historian so knowledgeable about the game of baseball in Puerto Rico, and he has transcended into the US of a two. So I bring this up because that's a very important decision by MLB, recognizing those players who were lost in history. And to that effect. I spoke to Jorge a few minutes ago. Jorge is setting up a site on. [00:44:39] Speaker D: The Internet with the history, the importance. [00:44:43] Speaker C: Of negro players in winter league baseball, in Puerto Rico particularly. And at the same time within that site are the Puerto Ricans who played in the negro league. So that's primisia I'm giving you as to what Jorge is doing, and that's a gentleman I have to applaud. And I'll say it till I die in Puerto Rico, there has never been. [00:45:04] Speaker D: A historian of his nature. [00:45:07] Speaker C: And I believe, Danny too, that in. [00:45:09] Speaker D: Latin America, that I know no one. [00:45:13] Speaker C: Can top Jorge Colon Delgado in his specialty. So I applaud him. I know you join me too, in doing so. And that's how it is, Annie. However, then at the same time, you know me as bald as I am sincere. [00:45:25] Speaker B: I'm bald too. I'm bald too, Louise. [00:45:27] Speaker C: Yeah, no, you're sincere too. But really, I cannot comprehend this. While I applaud what MLB has done with the negro league ball players, classifying them as major league ball players, I cannot understand why in the year 2021, around the corner last year, only 7.8% of ball players in the best baseball in the world were African Americans. I can never understand that. In a way, Danny, excuse my being so frank, so sincere. Recently, eight or nine presidential jobs. Jobs as general managers in major League baseball have been field. Not one african American. There's this lady for the Marlins, I believe. Ms. Yang. [00:46:19] Speaker D: Yes. [00:46:20] Speaker C: Born in the states. [00:46:21] Speaker B: You ready for this, Luis? Grew up in my neighborhood. Fresh meadows, Queens. [00:46:25] Speaker C: Okay, so you know what I'm talking about. I don't swallow. Danny. Danny. My life in the game, had it not been that I was enlightened by God and that he put key people in my life. Very difficult, Danny. For a puerto rican or somewhere else to come and become the first latin american liaison in the history of the game. It wasn't easy for me, Danny. Not the owners, not the general managers, but people at the administrative level would. They are asking, what are you doing here? [00:46:58] Speaker D: You follow? [00:46:59] Speaker C: And those things. I know how to battle them intellectually. [00:47:03] Speaker D: But it was not easy for me. [00:47:05] Speaker C: Had I been a weakling, I would have gone home and never come back. [00:47:09] Speaker D: But I'm a us citizen at birth. [00:47:11] Speaker C: But then, above that, I am a son of God and a citizen of the world. [00:47:16] Speaker D: Born in Puerto Rico. Proud of that. [00:47:18] Speaker C: But I would also be proud had I been born in Russia, China, Nigeria, or in the middle of atlantic ocean in a cruiser. Above anything, son of God, citizen of the world. That's who I am. [00:47:34] Speaker B: Well, I will tell you this, Luisa, and listening and hearing the passion in your voice right at this moment, certainly I think a young Luis Malloral simply had to turn to his left or his right and see the example of Roberto Clemente Walker, who always stood up and really truly spoke his mind when he saw some sort of injustice, some inequality as a ball player, whether you know, Luis, how many times he was quoted phonetically in the press, and this was something using your terms, your words, luis, he didn't take that. He didn't eat that. And he was very vocal. And I hear it in your voice, too, Louise, and certainly that's for another show to talk about areas that need improvement in major league baseball. [00:48:26] Speaker C: But you're understanding that I have been in the game, in love with it since I was a child. That is the master plan of our creator. That's what I'm telling you, Danny. I always tell people I'm not the big one. I am an instrument that he utilizes by way of baseball to educate, to do my thing within the game, to give opinions, to go into history. I am his creation. I'm not perfect. I made mistakes, but not mistakes you feel ashamed of. But I've always had the fortitude to do that. Like Clemente did in April of 1968, when Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Clemente the season was supposed to begin on the eigth or 9 April. Clemente told Joe Brown, the general manager for the Pirates, I'm not playing. We're not playing. We have to pay respect for Martin Luther King. And then Don Clanden, Bob Gibson, Lubrock, Orlando Separa, they jumped literally on the bandwagon, and they held the services for Martin Luther King without game of baseball at the major league level in respect to his legacy pro mankind. [00:49:46] Speaker D: That was Roberto. [00:49:47] Speaker C: That was Roberto. Those were his teachings to me, Danny, and I'm so proud of that. But as I said, again, I'm not the big one. I'm an instrument. [00:49:58] Speaker B: And I know there's two things, Luis, that I wanted our listeners to hear because you shared this with me. Number one, one of probably the many awards that the great royalto Clemente Walker received. He actually also was in the. What do you call that, the word I'm looking for, specifically a medallion. I believe. Luis, correct me if I'm wrong, that he received a medallion and it was an image of Martin Luther King on this medallion that he was proud to own. And secondly, Luis, a lot of people don't know this as well. Talking about Dr. King is that Roberto and Dr. King met, I believe it was February of 1962, on a farm that Clemente also had a restaurant, and the two of them met in Puerto Rico. So that's something that interesting. Luis came out in the rerelease of Wagenheim's book that you actually brought up in that prologue. You brought that up as well about the relationship with King and Roberto Clemente. [00:51:03] Speaker C: That medallion, it's interesting. Vera told me that was his most prized award. [00:51:13] Speaker D: It came to be in 1970. [00:51:18] Speaker C: They held an exhibition game, I believe it was preseason. The Joe DiMaggio stan musles of the world were there, Roberto and other superstars from MLB. And they held it in benefit of the Martin Luther King foundation and in appreciation for their participation in that game. Participation in that game in Dodger Stadium. [00:51:40] Speaker D: Each player received a beautiful medallion of. [00:51:45] Speaker C: Martin Luther King, which Vera, later, when. [00:51:48] Speaker D: I was working with the Pirates, allowed. [00:51:50] Speaker C: Me to use it at the Texas Rangers Museum in Arlington, Texas. That was his most priced possession. Before we continue, you and I spoke too about Tom Siever, didn't we? [00:52:08] Speaker D: A little while ago. [00:52:10] Speaker C: I have a brief comment on that. [00:52:12] Speaker D: And it is that Tom Siever stated. [00:52:17] Speaker C: That Roberto was perhaps the best hitter of his know as to hitting. And he also stated that Roberto could hit any pitch. Any pitch. When Sieber had him with two strikes. [00:52:34] Speaker D: Siebert told me he would always throw. [00:52:38] Speaker C: Him a hard fastball towards the outside corner or a slider. At times Roberto would hit it opposite field. [00:52:48] Speaker D: At times Sieber struck him out. [00:52:51] Speaker C: And he said that what he admired about Roberto, the times that Siever struck him out on outside pitches, Roberto right there and then knew it was a strike. [00:52:59] Speaker D: He didn't do anything. He just did. [00:53:05] Speaker C: Down a little bit and walked back to the dog. [00:53:10] Speaker D: That was Roberto. [00:53:13] Speaker C: The other thing about Roberto and hitting and remember, we didn't talk much, but I remember clearly he said this a few times. He was a type of hitter that when he swined his butt stayed back and then the upper part of the body kind of was on top of the pitch. For whatever reason, because I never been a hitter less at a major league level. He said that that was his success, how he accommodated himself before every pitch. He says, dejo el Fondillo atras. I leave my butt behind, but the upper part of my body is right on top of the ball. [00:53:50] Speaker B: That was definitely an unorthodox swing. That's to put it. [00:53:56] Speaker C: So he and I spoke baseball, but not much. Another thing he taught me, he says, jotengoimbraso. I got a great arm, but I. [00:54:05] Speaker D: Take advantage more by doing this. When the fielder catches the ball, most. [00:54:12] Speaker C: Of the time right here brings it down. [00:54:16] Speaker D: Pop. [00:54:17] Speaker C: He had a pop up a fly ball. He had runners on base. He would get it here. He would eliminate this step. He would get it here and from here, throw. So that added more to the efficiency of his throws. He was an artist. He was Picasso on a baseball field. And he loved the game. He loved the game. [00:54:40] Speaker B: Luis, you and I love to joke. I mean, in our twelve years, countless jokes over the phone, in person. And I know a few Clemente stories. But there's one story that I believe would be number one and this particular photograph. Once again, thanks to you, I own a copy of this photograph. And it was a presentation after the 3000 fit, October 1, 1972, at Three River Stadium. And for our listeners, Luis, please. I need to laugh right now, Luis, because we got a little deep. But I'd like you to share that particular moment with your dear friend after the 3000 fit. [00:55:23] Speaker C: How are we time wise? Are we okay, Luis? [00:55:25] Speaker B: We're good, man. [00:55:26] Speaker C: We're good. [00:55:26] Speaker B: Because guess what? I want to laugh, Luis. I want to laugh. [00:55:29] Speaker C: Yeah. Before we go into that many times. [00:55:34] Speaker D: He had a smile. You could not tell if he was. [00:55:39] Speaker C: Kidding or speaking the truth. He told me once that when he was like six or seven years old, he'd take a nail, let's say, maybe five inches long, a kid, and he would bend it. He was strong. [00:55:51] Speaker D: I left it there. [00:55:52] Speaker C: I said, contra, what is this? But I left it there another time, in spring training, 71, 72. I'm in his pirate city room. I stayed with him there that weekend. And after practice one Saturday, he says, I'm going to make you a punch. The punch that gives me strength. [00:56:10] Speaker D: Gives me strength. [00:56:12] Speaker C: Said he'll find man, no problem. So he had a beater and he pumped in there maybe 810, twelve eggs. [00:56:18] Speaker D: And then he took two welch great. [00:56:22] Speaker C: Uses, about this size. Dumped it in there and he beat that thing for five minutes. [00:56:27] Speaker D: Whatever. [00:56:29] Speaker C: Here it is, Risito. This is what keeps me strong. Do you like it? I didn't like it at all. But then, in my heart, I saw him with so much dedication, preparing a punch for me. A dozen eggs and a couple of. [00:56:46] Speaker D: Grape juices by welts. That was him. [00:56:49] Speaker C: And I told him, karamba, this is great, man. [00:56:53] Speaker B: Oh, Louise. You lied to Roberto. Luis, come on. [00:56:57] Speaker C: That of brotherly love, man. And then the photo was a pregame. [00:57:04] Speaker D: Ceremony that Bob prince and I participated in. [00:57:09] Speaker C: I had brought with me from Puerto Rico a special award on behalf of the people of the island that included a clot of earth, maybe about the size of a paper Mac in the middle and a swinging know. [00:57:25] Speaker D: So as I presented to him, I. [00:57:29] Speaker C: Said, roberto, this is symbolically Puerto Rico before you and he was know. And basically he said two, you know, I played on this grass. Now I'm playing on artificial turf. That's something that has escaped me occasionally. But he said that. But then he cracked a joke about. [00:57:52] Speaker D: A cow being on that grass. I leave it there. [00:57:58] Speaker C: And Vera in that picture is smiling like. You never saw her smiling. [00:58:04] Speaker D: I am like, wow. [00:58:06] Speaker C: And then there's Dora Matos de Pasarel. She was representing the governor of Puerto Rico, Governor Ferre, in that ceremony. [00:58:13] Speaker D: And she looked at me. [00:58:14] Speaker C: She, you know, but that was Roberto. Roberto was a human being. And then when we met, you invited me to go to Stockton University in New Jersey a few years back. At the dinner table that came up and she laughed and she told me something that touched my Lucito. That was Roberto. [00:58:35] Speaker D: The people he loved. [00:58:37] Speaker C: That's how he would kid with them. But at that know, he came up. [00:58:41] Speaker B: With goes, Luis, let's be honest. Ok, here it is. That's a cloud of earth. We all know what cows will do when they feel comfortable on a cloud of dirt. We're going to leave it at that for our listeners. Luis, I got the photograph and Donna, Vera's laughing. Roberto's kind of got like a serious face. [00:59:04] Speaker C: The thing is that those are the moments you don't forget. And again, Roberto was as human as you, Raziel, Guevara and I are. You follow? [00:59:15] Speaker D: That was Roberto. [00:59:17] Speaker C: Happy human being. He had premonitions about his death. He did that spring training, my second visit to Pirate City in 1972. He started telling me I had to. [00:59:29] Speaker D: Get 3000 this year. Said, fine, man, you're almost there. [00:59:33] Speaker C: But I didn't ask, why are you emphasizing that you have to get it this year? Then I'm coming into Puerto Rico, laying over in Atlanta. So I believe it was a Friday evening. I go from the hotel to Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. Prior to the game, his ankles were swollen. He was like, without know. And the first thing he told me. [01:00:03] Speaker D: I have to get that hit this year again. [01:00:08] Speaker C: I didn't ask him, you know me, I'm not the type of guy who know. I just let it be. I said, hey, you'll be okay. That'll go away. That proved to me that he had some type of premonition. And Vera always told me that many times. He told her, I am going to die young. And he told Vera also that for me to make the hall of fame, I will have to be dead. [01:00:32] Speaker B: He had the preparations, talking sadly about that date. Luis, there is a photograph that someone took. It's actually in your book. The book that you released in 1987. You even had a title for that black and white photograph. And along with Clemente's teammates, Rennie Stennat, Manny Sanguin, the media personality Ramiro Martinez, may he rest in peace. But you also were in that picture and you were smoking a cigarette. Could you tell our, and share with our listeners that particular photograph of the four of you sitting in a room looking quite somber? [01:01:13] Speaker C: Sure. First of all, the last time I saw Roberto and Jorge Colon Delgado was the guy who pinpointed. The last time I saw him, it was December 27 at the ballpark. Hiram Bthorn. He was gathering goods to be sent to Nicaragua to the victims of the earthquake. [01:01:34] Speaker D: Okay. [01:01:35] Speaker C: We chatted for a few minutes and he tells me, call me on the. [01:01:39] Speaker D: 31St so you can come home and. [01:01:41] Speaker C: We'Ll have dinner and celebrate. [01:01:44] Speaker D: Coming of the year 73. Great. Noiproleva. [01:01:52] Speaker C: I called on the 31st around midday, maybe one. I called two or three times. He didn't answer. So I decided to go visit my parents home in the outskirts of San Juan. While there, I was informed they heard it on the radio that Clementus plane went down. But I didn't believe it because he had told me he was going there a day and a half at the most, and he'd be back for the 31st. But I didn't know that he was still in Nicaragua because news really didn't travel that well going back 50 years. [01:02:19] Speaker D: So when that happened, I went home. [01:02:24] Speaker C: I got up at seven. I went to drug fair, a drugstore. [01:02:26] Speaker D: Two blocks from home in Elcondado, where. [01:02:29] Speaker C: I first befriended Frank Robinson when he managed in Puerto Rico. [01:02:33] Speaker D: And the gentleman there, his name is Hilberto Rosa. [01:02:38] Speaker C: He's a professional who is now retired in Florida. He was a kid at the cash register. He told me, hey, Roberto's plane went down. That shook said no. So he told me a few months ago that he remembers me. He remembers being paralyzed. [01:02:57] Speaker D: And then I said, I have to. [01:02:59] Speaker C: Go get Manny and Rennie. Manny Sanguin and Rennie Stennett were playing winter ball. And they lived in a condominium maybe two blocks from there. And a pitcher by the name of Johnson, maybe Richie Sisk, a few of the, you know, were playing ball there. And then we took off to. So, you know, that was something, Danny, that today, that's another one of those moments that is in my mind forever. That was very sad, Danny, very know, such is life. Such is life. I do want to also, Danny, take the liberty of. Because a lot of people ask, and I have a brief list here of the people. I mean, Roberto knew everyone. Everyone knew him on the island and elsewhere, but I remember a few people that were very special to him. You know his brother Matino, you know. [01:03:51] Speaker D: Him well in Carolina. He's in his 90s. [01:03:55] Speaker C: Francoimbre, the pirate scout and former great player who played in the negro leagues. Howie Hake, the super scout for the Pirates, who was the guy who negotiated contracts with Roberto? It wasn't Joe Brown. [01:04:09] Speaker D: Howie Hake and Roberto were like father and son. [01:04:13] Speaker C: That was a relationship that many considered. [01:04:17] Speaker D: Unusual, but that's how it was then. [01:04:20] Speaker C: Manny, he loved. He loved Al Oliver. [01:04:23] Speaker D: Al Oliver in the green tree area. [01:04:27] Speaker C: I believe, in the outskirts of Pittsburgh. Hal Oliver was his neighborhood, his neighbor in the facility where they live. Monty Irving. Jose Santiago, great pitcher for Boston, was one of Roberto's best friends, as was. [01:04:44] Speaker D: One minor leaguer who Roberto really loved. [01:04:47] Speaker C: Five eight, good hitter, no future, unfortunately. Cannita Allen, he's a teddy bear on the island. Everyone loves him. So those were a few of the people that I got to know, and I am a witness, that Roberto really loved them. He loved everyone. But those people were special. Those people were special. [01:05:05] Speaker B: Luis, something very special. Talking about something special this year, September 9, 2020, which, interesting enough, I was in Pittsburgh. I was inside PNC park. Not only that, it was my mother's birthday, celebrating her 80 eigth birthday, but I wanted to be there for this moment. And it was the very first time ever since Clemente's passing. And you were there in the ballpark when Clemente's number was retired? April of 73. But here it is now in 2020. The entire Pittsburgh Pirate team wore the number 21 for the very first time. And I was there to witness it. It was historic. It was moving to see this video that Luis Clemente put together, part of the pregame ceremony dedicated to his late mother, who passed away November of 2019. But, Luis, there's so much talk, especially after this year, with what occurred in Pittsburgh on the retirement of that iconic number. So, Luis, if you had an opportunity to walk into the commissioner's office in New York City and you were part of a contingent of fans, family members, those that want to see Clemente's number retired, besides Luis, the obvious, what would you tell the commissioner, Bob Manfred, on the reason behind that number should be alongside number 42? [01:06:36] Speaker C: I believe it should be. Even though there were two different human beings. Jackie Robinson, historically, he's a giant. He was a man chosen by God to break the color barrier in 1947. Roberto was way better ball player than Jackie Robinson. Don't misunderstand me, but Roberto should be. [01:07:01] Speaker D: Honored in my book based on the fact that he experimented, the supreme sacrifice. [01:07:11] Speaker C: Looking to help others in need. They're both great symbols. I am not an activist. That decision is not mine. But if I had the power, I would seriously, seriously consider retiring number 21. And I applaud the history of Jackie Robinson. As to Commissioner Rob Manfred, I don't know him personally. [01:07:37] Speaker D: I know above him. [01:07:40] Speaker C: Boe Q Peter Europe, Bargia, Maddie and. [01:07:44] Speaker D: Faye Vincent live had it that were my friends. They understood my being sincere of what. [01:07:54] Speaker C: I had to offer MLB. They opened up many doors for yours truly. [01:08:00] Speaker D: But I believe that MLB, for obvious. [01:08:04] Speaker C: Reasons, has great relationships with the Far East, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, that area. [01:08:14] Speaker D: Of the world has financial power to. [01:08:19] Speaker C: Benefit Major League baseball, merchandise, memorabilia, the rights to do this and that as to games. [01:08:27] Speaker D: But MLB has really kind of like. [01:08:31] Speaker C: Ignored Latin America for so long. If I didn't mention Japan, it was a mistake. Japan is there, too. They generate a lot of money to MLB. The thing that hurts me historically is. [01:08:44] Speaker D: That millions and millions and millions of. [01:08:47] Speaker C: Fans in Latin America love the game of baseball. [01:08:51] Speaker D: Major League Baseball, to the extent that approximately 27%, 28% every year, most of. [01:09:00] Speaker C: Them outstanding players, are Latinos in Major League Baseball. But what Latin Americans feel is that they're ignoring that MLB is only interested in Latin America because they can get cheap labor. [01:09:15] Speaker D: Cheap labor, cheap players, okay. [01:09:18] Speaker C: As to paying them. And regardless of the fact that the history of Latinos in Major League baseball. [01:09:26] Speaker D: Is reaching accomplishments, they feel insulted. [01:09:30] Speaker C: And I'll give you the classic example. [01:09:33] Speaker D: May she rest in peace. When Vera Clemente died November 16, 2019, you were there. [01:09:40] Speaker C: And a lot of people to this day, not only in Puerto Rico, in Latin America, feel insulted. Mr. Manfred, God bless you. I don't say you're a bad man. [01:09:51] Speaker D: But you struck out, man. You should have been present in the. [01:09:55] Speaker C: Funeral services of Vera Clemente, a lady who gave her soul the moment Roberto died. And she did everything. And I traveled with her many times, all star games, World Series. She was like a big sister to me. I don't criticize you as a human being. I don't know you. I say God bless you. But let me tell you something. Boe Kyung, Peter Uberoff, Bartia Maddie and Faye Vincent, I knew well they would have been in Puerto Rico for Vera's funeral services. I leave that with you. I love the game. With all due respect, those are words that God has given me and the other failure of Major League Baseball. [01:10:34] Speaker D: Major League Baseball has never established a uniform program. [01:10:41] Speaker C: They have never built a cultural bridge to help latino players transition into the. [01:10:50] Speaker D: US of a major league baseball or. [01:10:54] Speaker C: The manual leagues that want to develop the players. The 30 teams want them at the major league level overnight to be stars. They classify them as many citizens as being arrogant and stupid because they don't speak English well. That is an injustice before the eyes of God. I love the game. I have always loved the game. I will die loving the game. But that's the Luis majoral for the first time ever in my 50 years in baseball that I had come out this loud and clear. And as such, Commissioner Rob Manfred, God bless you. You have a mission that you have not accomplished. [01:11:32] Speaker D: It's based on goodwill. [01:11:34] Speaker C: Goodwill and the unity of nations. [01:11:37] Speaker D: That's me. [01:11:38] Speaker C: Danny, I'm sorry. [01:11:39] Speaker B: There is no need to be sorry, Luis Rodriguez Maurat, because I'm going to tell you right now, we definitely, for season two, will be opening up this platform to bigger conversations along the lines of what Roberto Clemente stood for, because certainly you had the best teacher, not only in the great Roberto Clemente, but those that you also mentioned, luis, that have been a part of your 50 years in baseball. And, Luis, on behalf of the talking 21 crew, I can't thank you enough for being on our program to be a part of episode ten, the last episode of season one, the season finale, and Luis Rodriguez Mahiral, you know I love you. [01:12:21] Speaker C: I love you. With one more comment, I can't forget. I am so appreciative of the hall of Fame. September 9, 2020, they invited me to. [01:12:32] Speaker D: Their virtual headed by a great human being, Bruce Marcuson, as the first ever. [01:12:40] Speaker C: Latin american liaison, among other things, in the game, employed by Major League Baseball club. And that goes to prove that baseball is a bridge among countries, cultures, and obviously millions of fans. The honor is mine, Danny. I am always at your service, sir. And hey, you made my day. [01:13:00] Speaker B: Thanks so much, Luis. [01:13:01] Speaker A: I know how difficult this month can be for you and appreciate the time you've given to our devoted listeners to share your remarkable stories and fond memories about your dear friend Roberto Clemente Walker. But before we wrap it up, I want to remind all our listeners that we will start recording new episodes sometime during the third week of January, and we will kick off season two during the first week of February as we approach the 2021 baseball season. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Pirates winning the World Series. And of course, we will celebrate the golden anniversary of Clemente's World Series MVP award. I highly recommend our listeners to catch that 1971 series against the Baltimore Orioles just to see Clemente and how he literally carried that entire team on his shoulders onto our next episode in 2021. Happy holidays, Happy New Year and many thanks for listening. Please be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram at talking 21 podcast for all our latest information about episode drops. If you are enjoying the show, please be sure to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. And a huge special thank you to our executive producer Rasquevara and our co producer Senor Bezo. Tune in next time for our continued conversation about the great one. And as always, this is your host, Danny Torres. And be sure to follow me on Twitter at Danny T 21.