MLB to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with Roberto Clemente Day

As MLB celebrates Roberto Clemente Day on Tuesday, every player will wear a No. 21 patch on the chest of his jersey in honor of the Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star who tragically died in a plane crash while he was on his way to deliver relief supplies for earthquake victims in Nicaragua on New Year’s Eve 1972.

Roberto Clemente Day was established in 2002 to honor Clemente’s legacy, and since its inception, countless lives have been touched in Clemente’s name by players, managers, coaches, staff and others affiliated with MLB.

Special language noting the recognition will be added to the patches of each of this year’s nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award, which is presented annually to the player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

All players, managers and coaches for the Pirates, Clemente’s team during his illustrious 18-year Major League career, will wear his No. 21 during Pittsburgh’s series opener against the Brewers at PNC Park.

In addition, Roberto Clemente Award nominees and former winners of the honor, as well as players of Puerto Rican descent, will have the option to wear No. 21 in honor of Clemente, who hailed from Puerto Rico.

Each ballpark will honor Clemente with base jewels and official dugout lineup cards featuring the Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One logo. MLB.com and all 30 club sites also will feature Roberto Clemente Day and Award stories and content.

Roberto Clemente Day coincides with the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The monthlong celebration will feature MLB's first community popup event, with more details to be announced soon. MLB is also extending its Hispanic Heritage Month initiatives through the Postseason, spotlighting Latino stars competing for a World Series title.

This year’s nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award are:

Angels: Zach Neto*
Astros: Josh Hader
Athletics: Zack Gelof*
Blue Jays: George Springer
Braves: Austin Riley*
Brewers: Christian Yelich
Cardinals: Jordan Walker*
Cubs: Dansby Swanson*
D-backs: Corbin Carroll
Dodgers: Will Smith
Giants: Logan Webb*
Guardians: Joey Cantillo*
Mariners: Julio Rodríguez*
Marlins: Otto Lopez*
Mets: Francisco Lindor
Nationals: Nasim Nuñez*
Orioles: Pete Alonso
Padres: Jason Adam
Phillies: Kyle Schwarber
Pirates: Brandon Lowe
Rangers: Jake Burger*
Rays: Cedric Mullins*
Red Sox: Garrett Whitlock*
Reds: Jose Trevino
Rockies: Kyle Freeland
Royals: Bobby Witt Jr.
Tigers: Justin Verlander
Twins: Pablo López
White Sox: Davis Martin*
Yankees: Carlos Rodón

* Denotes first-time nominee