THE 10 GREATEST TO WEAR THE BLACK-N-GOLD

All the votes are in. We are now up to #1 of the 10 Greatest to Wear the Black-N-Gold. First, let's review the previous 9 before revealing who sits atop the list. 10)Steelers WR Hines Ward 9)Steelers RB Franco Harris 8)Pirates 2B Bill Mazeroski 7)Steelers S Troy Polamalu 6)Steelers DT Joe Greene 5)Pirates OF/1B Willie Stargell 4)Penguins C Sidney Crosby 3)Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw 2)Penguins C Mario Lemieux And now, drum roll, please.....Mrs. Black-N-Gold brings you #1 of the 10 Greatest to Wear the Black-N-Gold, Pirates Hall of Fame RF Roberto Clemente. The Pirates selected Roberto in the Rule 5 Draft from the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954. He began his career with the Pirates on April 17, 1955. During Roberto's career he made significant contributions both on and off the field. His MVP award in 1966 made him the first Latino player to win the award. The same is true when the 2 time World Series champion (1960 & 1971) won the World Series MVP in 1971. Roberto was also a 15 time All-Star as well as a 12 time Gold Glove winner. He won 4 NL batting titles, finishing his career with a .317 batting average. He also had 3000 career hits, 240 home runs and 1305 RBIs. Unfortunately, Roberto's milestone 3000th career hit would also be his last on October 3, 1972. On New Year's Eve, 1972, Roberto was taken from us all too soon as the plane that he chartered to take supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua crashed into the ocean. Roberto's remains were never recovered. The MLB Hall of Fame waived the waiting period for induction and Roberto was inducted posthumously in 1973, becoming the first Latino voted to the Hall. The Pirates also honored Roberto in 1973, retiring his #21 on April 6. Major League Baseball also created the Roberto Clemente Award, honoring the player that best exemplifies Roberto's community service. In 2005, Roberto was named to MLB's Latino Legends team. Rawlings included him on their 50th anniversary All Time Gold Glove team in 2007. The Pirates also honored Roberto by naming the wall in right field at PNC Park, "the Clemente Wall" and erected it at 21 feet high to match the Great One's number. There is also a statue of Roberto that first graced the outer gates of Three Rivers Stadium and then was moved to PNC Park. The city of Pittsburgh also remembers Roberto with the Clemente Bridge that leads to the park. There is even a movement among baseball fans to have Roberto's #21 retired league-wide, ala Jackie Robinson's #42. Roberto is the Greatest to Wear the Black-N-Gold not only because he was a great player but also a great person, working to help others right up to the very end. In our hearts, #21 will always be #1. RIP Great One. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!