S2 EP 12: Fernando González

Talkin’21 podcast welcomes former MLB infielder Fernando González. Originally signed by the Seattle Pilots in 1968, González played six seasons in the big leagues. He shared who was responsible for introducing him to the game of baseball. Surprisingly, he credits himself. He listened to games on the radio, became a batboy and during a brief period in the minors finally made his MLB debut on with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1972. But during his brief period with the Pirates he had an unbelievable opportunity to see his baseball hero up-close: Roberto Clemente. In this podcast, Fernando will share intimate stories on playing alongside “The Great One,” and his recollections of seeing Clemente for the last time in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico on December 27, 1972. And on New Year’s Eve, Clemente would sadly embark on a humanitarian mission that wouldn’t be fulfilled. The plane crashed and although many island residents rushed to shoreline of the accident, Fernando actually did visit the site of where the tragedy occurred. Like so many others, he hoped and prayed his dear friend was still alive. Fifty years later, those memories are still vivid in his mind and this episode provides a first-person account of exactly what happened on December 31, 1972.