THE REST OF THE 138 POINT JACK TAYLOR STORY

The scene has played out thousands and maybe hundreds of thousands of times in neighborhood driveways in each and every U.S. town and city.  It's a game played one-on-none against an imaginary basketball opponent.  In many respects, it's a dream game.  One where real life and fantasy coincide.   The ball and player are in perfect harmony......scoring at will in every way possible. First, it's driving layups from each side of the free throw lane.....then several ten foot baseline jumpers.  Next comes running one hand scoop shots, followed by stop and pop shots at the top of the key.  Then come the bombs.  3 pointers from every spot on the arc.  When it's all said and done, you walk off the court knowing you've done something magnificent, probably unheard of.  You've broken every possible record in the books.  And people everywhere, know your name.  It's a dream for sure.  At least people say that's what it is.  That is.....unless your name is Jack Taylor.  And the dream becomes REAL.

Where the Dream played out.....Darby Gymnasium

It was the evening of November 20, 2012 when Jack Taylor and the Grinnell Pioneers readied themselves for Faith Baptist Bible at Darby Gymnasium..  Prior to warm-ups,  Taylor and several of his teammates huddled for some pre-game devotions.  In two previous Pioneer games, time had not presented itself for a blessed get-together.  Tonight was the beginning of something different. Matthew 25 was the focus that evening.  The word spoke of using the talents God has given you and more importantly using every moment you're given.  Jack Taylor and his teammates took the message to heart.

Here is the short version of Jack's night courtesy of ESPN writer Myron Medcalf:

"Grinnell's Jack Taylor didn't just amend the NCAA's record books when he scored 138 points--a new collegiate high mark--in his team's 179-104 victory over Faith Baptist Bible Tuesday night.  The Division III star wrote a new chapter.

There was a point during the second half where I hit a number of three's in a row--maybe seven or eight--I felt like anything I threw up was going in", Taylor said.  "I've been in the zone before but I've never taken so many shots."   

Bevo Francis of Rio Grande held the NCAA scoring record with 113 points against Hillsdale in 1954.  In the 1953, Francis had 116 against Ashland Junior College.  Frank Selvy is the only other player to reach triple figures, scoring 100 points for Division I Furman against Newberry in 1954.  The previous Grinnell record was 89 by Griffin Lentsch last November 19th against Principia.

Taylor said he entered the locker room at halftime under the assumption he'd racked up 30 points in the first half.  But when head coach David Arseneault whipped out the first-half stat sheet, he realized he was mistaken.

"Coach walked in with a stat sheet and said I had 58", Taylor said.  "you could see the team's eyes light up.  By the end of the night, Taylor was 52 for 108 (27 of 71 from the 3-point line) and he'd established a new collegiate record".

All eyes were on the 5' 10" Taylor that night.....

This week, Jack and I connected for some one-on-one time.  Conversation that is, not a game, mind you.  I purposely wanted to wait a while in talking to Mr. Taylor after the initial onslaught of media attention.  Here is some of our conversation:

SR:  Was there a point during the game when the significance of what was happening set in?

JT;  Halftime is where I was really surprised.  I had 58 points.  The game plan for the  second half became that I would get a touch every time down the floor.  Not necessarily a shot.  Normally I play around 18 minutes a game, but played 36.  My teammates did an awesome job of getting me the ball.

SR:  How did you handle the mention of glorifying God during your interviews?

JT:  My first interview was with ESPN.  I'm not sure I even mentioned God.  After all the interviews I did the first night, I started looking back and knew that I had to do a better job in giving God the Glory.  I prayed about that and asked for boldness in mentioning God in each interview I did.

SR:  What do you feel the importance of your night was?  How is God using you?

JT:  I see a lot of doors opening.  I can influence others and I see that as an exciting opportunity. Especially with youth.  Being able to talk to people back home and ones that know me.  My little sister is in high school and I see that I can be a role model for her and others in her school.  Here at Grinnell, I can share my faith and let others know they don't have to be scared in talking about their faith.

SR:  Picture yourself talking to a gymnasium full of young people.  What would be your message to them?

JT:  I would share my story of the two loves I have, basketball and the Lord.  Basketball used to be my religion before I tore my ACL in Prep School.  I had a friend that I was speaking  to about being a Christian and he said, "you're not a Christian".  That hit home.  From then on I focused on being a better person and living for the Lord.  I took that as a challenge.  That was the hardest time of my life.....when I had something taken away from me that I loved.  Now I look to be obedient.

SR:  You took a long road to Grinnell.  First Prep School, then UW-LaCrosse and then Grinnell.  Why do you think that was your journey?

JT:  I often wonder about that.  I could have gone to Grinnell right out of high school.  But instead I decided to go to Prep School hoping I could land some Division I offers.  Then I tore my ACL and transferred to LaCrosse.  It wasn't my plan.  If I hadn't gone to Prep School, I wouldn't have met my friend who challenged me about my faith.

SR: In talking about Matthew 25 before your big night, how did that have an impact on what took place?

JT:  I knew I was going to get more minutes that night.  I told my parents and girlfriend that our system at Grinnell would mean that I would probably get more shots too.  I think Matthew 25 opened my eyes to be more aggressive and play with the talents God has given me. (laughs)

SR:  Have you thought about the meaning of 138 in the Bible and sought some words to that number, perhaps Psalm 138?

JT:  Wow, no I hadn't even thought of that.

SR:  Well, let me get my Bible and look it up for the both of us....:

As Jack pulled up Psalm 138 on his computer, we both read of the provided wisdom.  And this is what jumped out.  "When I called, you answered me, you made me bold and stouthearted-Pslam 138:3

Additionally, Pslam 138 describes those who are close to God live in reality and those who believe in human power live in a world of fantasy.

I must say, for me anyway.....after our 138 exchange, I don't remember a whole lot more about what questions I asked and how Jack responded.  I do know that several minutes later he texted me and thanked me for sharing Psalm 138 with him and encouraging him to walk boldly through the doors God opens.

Hold On....Now that I think about it, I do remember a final question.

SR:  Who do you want to play you in the movie?

JT:  (Laughs).  I hadn't even thought about that (laughs again).

Someday, yes someday, there might be a Taylor boy or girl out on the driveway playing imaginary hoops.....playing out the game of their life.  The difference is, someday, Jack will be able to tell them all about it.  And knowing kids, that might be a hard sell.

JT:  One time I scored 138 points in a game.  And it was the biggest single game point total in collegiate history.

Young Taylor:  You scored 138 points.  Right Dad.  Come on!!!!!  Game On.....

****  As a side note:  Jack has played 6 games since November 20th.  He has scored in succession, 21,18,39,12,36 and 37 points.  His highest minute total in any of those games is 18.  For the season, the Black River Falls, Wisconsin native is averaging 38.7 points per game.

Thanks for reading,

John

HALL OF FAME TIME AGAIN FOR BASEBALL

The Baseball Writer's Association of America (BBWAA) is releasing today (Monday) the names to be considered for election into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame.  Some of the names are old ones, ones that probably have little chance of ever making it.  And then there are the ones that should make it...and others whose fate will hang with a jury for a long time, I'm afraid.  Remember, every year now, the discussion will no doubt focus on PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs) and whether that player was an abuser or not.

Results of the balloting is expected in early January of 2013 for selection into the Hall on July 28th in Cooperstown, New York

One of the greatest thief's of all-time.....Tim Raines

The players back for another run this year are Jack Morris, Jeff Bagwell, Lee Smith, Tim Raines, Alan Trammel, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Larry Walker, Mark McGwire, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro and Bernie Williams.  Of those, Morris received 66% of the votes needed last year, Bagwell  got 56%, Smith had 51% and Raines grabbed 49%.  75% is needed for selection.

Will this be the year for Morris, the former ace who won 254 games in his big league career?  He's making his 14th run at the honor and he'll probably get in.  Bagwell is another that deserves a shot, although, despite hitting 449 home runs in his career...there has been some question about potential steroid use.  The most deserving might be reliever Lee Smith, who once held the record for most life-time saves until Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres bested his mark in 2006.  Smith ranks second on the all-time list with 478 saves.

At Bruce Sutter's Hall of Fame induction in 2006, Smith talked with reporters about his chances for election.  Like many others, he commented that he was puzzled that he had not yet been selected.  "This confuses the hell out of me.  But I've always been baffled by it", he said.  Hopefully, 2013 will be different for the 7-time All-Star and former Chicago Cub.

And now for the  new names to the ballot for 2013.  Let's begin with the players with the most name identification.  Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Kenny Lofton, Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling and Sammy Sosa.  Several of these players could have been first-time selections, but again, PED's are in play.  Despite being baseball's all-time home run leader, Bonds, will have a difficult time of convincing the writers of his drug innocence.   Same goes for Clemens, Sosa and Piazza.  And that's a shame.  They were all big contributors to the Game during their times.  

The other first timers are:
Antonio Alfonseca, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Tony Batista, Mark Bellhorn, Hector Carrasco, Alberto Castillo, Jeff Cirillo, Royce Clayton, Jeff Conine, Rheal Cormier, Juan Encarnacion, Robert Fick, Steve Finley, Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Roberto Hernandez, Ryan Klesko, Steve Kline, Ricky Ledee, Mike Lieberthal, John Mabry, Tom Martin, Doug Mirabelli, Mike Myers, Jose Mesa, Orlando Palmeiro, Neifi Perez, Desi Relaford, Reggie Sanders, Aaron Sele, Mke Stanton, Kelly Stinnett, John Thomson, Jose Valentin, Todd Walker, John Wasdin, David Wells, Rich White, Rondell White, Bob Wickman, Woody Williams, Preston Wilson, Jay Witasick and Jaret Wright.


So, who gets in 2013.  I think Jack Morris and Jeff Bagwell.  Smith most likely will have to wait for the Veterans vote...and the big loser, is in my estimation, Tim Raines.  Raines is the fourth all-time base stealer behind, Rickey Henderson,  Lou Brock and Ty Cobb.  He was also estimated to be the 40th greatest non-pitcher in major league history by Bill James.  And he only played 23 seasons. The guy could flat out ball
 
Thanks for reading.

John  

DAYS OF WINE AND NO ROSES FOR HAWKS

It's been 22 years since the University of Iowa football program has sniffed Roses. And for Hawkeye fans, that's too long, far too long.  The man that led Iowa to its last Rose Bowl game (a 46-34 loss to Washington) was Hayden Fry and he's been gone since 1999 when he turned things over to current head man, Kirk Ferentz.

In the first 18 years at Iowa, Fry was 133-76.  He turned around a program that had been in the dumps making Iowa a factor in the Big Ten race each year.  But then things started getting ugly. In 1997, Iowa was expected to challenge for the Big Ten Championship but settled for a 7-5 season.  Then came 1998, the worst season ever for Fry at Iowa, 3-8.   "Spoiled" Hawk fans grew restless.  They'd been used to being a player in the conference race and a perennial bowl team.  I remember these times looking around for a team that I could root for, other than Iowa......that was competitive each and every year.  I was fed up with the football product and became apathetic to what was going on in Iowa City.  That's how frustrated I'd become.  And I wasn't alone.  Specifically, the biggest concern of the fan base was that the game had passed Fry by.  Not only was he being out-recruited, he was being out-coached.

What have you done for the Iowa fan-base lately?

Fast forward to 2012 and the scenario is looking much the same.  Ferentz takes over for Fry and leads the Hawkeyes back to the land of promise.......then things start getting ugly.  Since the 2010 Orange Bowl, which Iowa won by beating Georgia Tech 24-14, the Hawkeyes have won only 10 Big Ten games.  Fans expect more.  And they should considering the salary Ferentz now commands as the sixth highest paid coach in college football, $3.875 a year.

Not only is there criticism and concern within Hawkeye Nation, the outside world is well aware of Iowa's situation.  Adam Jacobi of the Bleacher Reports says, "the real killer for Iowa, however, is a buyout for Ferentz is set at 75% of his remaining salary, paid monthly.  So if Iowa wants to go another route for its head coach, that's fine.  It'll just owe Ferentz about a quarter a million dollars a month.

Every month.

Until January of 2020".  

Headed into this weekend's game with Purdue, Iowa stands 4-5.  Then follows games at Michigan and at home against Nebraska. One win is possible, two highly unlikely and three would be a miracle. Apathy is growing.  The product is boring and far too conservative.  Many fans are looking to the basketball season which opens this Friday for their athletic appetite.

A posting from a Iowa fan website page speaks of the home finale against Nebraska.

"I don't hold it against anybody if they want to sell their tickets to the highest bidder-Husker fan or not.  Just because you don't want to sell their tickets to a Husker fan-doesn't mean they won't end up with them if your buyer sells them for profit.  Loyalty is one thing-money another.

None of us wants to see Kinnick in red but it is what it is.  Win and this crap would not be happening.  This is not going to be much of a rivalry if we don't win sometime soon.  TV may not even want to put it on Black Friday if we don't step it up".

Iowa Athletic Director, Gary Barta negotiated Ferentz's current contract after the 2010 Orange Bowl victory.  He says today, he'd still do it.

"When you sit down with a coach, you take a look at their body of work", Barta said.  "There are different environments that you're evaluating.  In Kirk's case, back in 2009, I think we finished seventh in the country.  If you look at what he had done competitively, academically, value, integrity and fit, all those things, obviously I put together a package that I felt fit the person and the situation.

Glad I did it and still glad I did it".

Those remarks came several days ago when asked about his belief in the head coach.  Barta fixed his wagon to Kirk several years ago with that long-term deal.....a move that was highly questioned at the time.

In looking back at the season thus far and see losses to Central Michigan and Indiana (did you see the crowd size in Bloomington?  disgustingly small) there should be raised eyebrows.  Heck, the once highly competitive Iowa State-Iowa match-up is clearly in the Cyclones favor.  What's that tell you about a rivalry the Hawks dominated for years.

So where is this headed?    

The earlier remark from the fan about tickets might indicate more wisdom than we know when he said, "loyalty is one thing-money another".

Regardless, it's going to take a lot of BOTH......no matter which way this goes.

Thanks for reading,

John

YOU WANT TO BE NFL COMMISSIONER?

What's commissioner Roger Goodell doing with the National Football League these days?  Take a look at the standings and it looks more like the National Hockey League where everyone has a chance to make the playoffs.  For years there's been discussion of putting the league on a level playing field.  It sure looks like that's being accomplished.

Entering Week Seven, 10 Teams had won 4 or more games, 11 had a 3-3 record and 11 had won either one or two games.   Of those eleven clubs at the bottom are New Orleans at 1-4 and Pittsburgh, Detroit and Dallas at 2-3.  Any of those teams are playoff caliber.  All the teams in the AFC East are 3-3 (New England, New York, Buffalo and Miami) and the NFC East is almost the same.  If it's parity you want, it's parity you're going to get!!

But there is something else going on in the league.  Players have been speaking out about Mr.Goodell and his handling of the Bounty Scandal involving the New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Drew Brees has been especially critical.

Today, former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jimmy Kennedy, identified as a "whistleblower in the scandal, let loose on the NFL commissioner by calling him a liar in regards to his role in the league's investigation.   "Kennedy issued a lengthy statement in response to a recent memo the NFL gave to all teams that listed him as a person who originally told former Vikings coach Brad Childress in early 2010 that the Saints had a bounty on Brett Favre in the 2010 NFC title game".  "That's a lie", said Kennedy.  "I had no knowledge about any alleged bounty to reveal to anyone, and I never informed anyone that I did".

Would somebody else like this job?

Along with the Kennedy accusations today, comes this as well.  The commissioner appointed predecessor Paul Tagliabue to hear the appeals of four players suspended in the bounty scandal.  Goodell notified Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove, as well as the players' union, that Tagliabue would be the hearing officer to "decide the appeals and bring the matter to a prompt and fair conclusion".  The players and the union asked Goodell to recuse himself feeling he could not rule fairly.  One has to ask if having the former commissioner put forth a ruling is going to be any better.  

Goodell has said many times he feels his main duty as commissioner is "protecting the shield" as he puts it in reference to the NFL shield logo, protecting the integrity of the game and making it safer.  Since assuming office in September of 2006, he has suspended those involved in the bounty scandal and other notables such as Adam "Pacman" Jones, Chris Henry, Tank Johnson, Michael Vick, Ben Roethlisberger, Donte Stallworth and Ndamukong Suh.  In 2007, he disciplined the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick for their involvement with Spygate and then of course there was the 2011 NFL lockout which he had a big hand in bringing to a close in August before the start of the season.  That might be his shining moment. Because the recent Referee Lockout just settled sure wasn't.  That has to rank as one of the worst times ever in NFL history.  .

SO you think it might be a whole lot of fun being the commissioner of the NFL and recognized as "one of the most powerful person in all of sports?"  There's much more to the job than most can comprehend.  And most of it isn't glamorous.  It might cause Goodell to pause and say, "here Paul, you can have your old job back when you're done ruling on the bounty scandal......I'm outta here!"

Who knows, it just might happen.

Thanks for reading,

John

ONE DIFFERENT CHARACTER...ALEX KARRAS

We heard on Monday the first official news pertaining to Alex Karras and kidney failure.  Reports were he was in his last days.  Today, we were informed that the character, and I mean character in the loose term,  who played many parts in the sports and entertainment field had died.

He was quite a bit different than his fellow man.....not unusual or weird, but different.  Perhaps a good definition to him would be is "once he made up his mind on something. that's the way it was".  Come hell or high water.

I never had an opportunity to see Karras play while at the University of Iowa (1954-57).  He struggled during his first two years with the Hawkeyes.  He was homesick and not all that happy with Head Coach Forest Evashevski.  At the end of his sophomore season, he threw a shoe at Evy and quit.  That summer he focused on his physical conditioning  and grades and returned to Iowa to finish his career.  But as far as his relationship with the head coach, that marriage was never repaired.   Former teammate Randy Duncan said this of their rapport, " Karras hated Evashevski and he still does.  I think Karras hated Evy for a lot of reasons.  Evy was on everybody's back, and he was on Karras' back big time.  Karras was a great football player but he didn't really like offense and in those days, you had to go both ways.  So he didn't block anybody,  What he wanted to do was chase down quarterbacks and play defense".  

And play defense he did.  The final two seasons at Iowa were full of honors for him and the University.  He was named All-American in 1956 and won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman after the 1957 season.  Iowa won the Rose Bowl in 1957 over Oregon State, 35-19......and that next spring,  he was selected by the Detroit Lions as their number one pick in the National Football League draft.

A character in the clubhouse and  in life......

Twelve seasons later, he retired from the NFL, but not before being selected to the Pro Bowl on four different occasions. If you can picture Dick Butkus (the famed Chicago Bear ruffian) playing tackle, that would be Alex Karras.  He was not big for his position at defensive tackle ( 6 foot 3 inches and 248 pounds), but he along with teammate Roger Brown  and several other studs formed a group known as the "Fearsome Foursome".

But there were some trials during his NFL playing days.  "On January 7, 1963, Karras's ownership in Detroit's Lindell AC Bar became a source of controversy when league officials urged him to sell his financial interests in the place because of reports of gambling and organized crime influence.  After first threatening to retire rather than give it up, he admitted to placing bets on NFL games and was suspended by the league along with Green Bay Packers running back, Paul Hornung, for one season.  During his exile, Karras turned to pro wrestling where he had dabbled before.  The league reinstated he and Hornung in 1964.  Upon returning to action, he once refused when an official asked him to call the pre-game coin toss, "I'm sorry, sir", Karras replied, "I'm not permitted to gamble".

On another occasion, Lions rookie tight end recalled how he won Karras over.  "Karras showed him a picture of what he said was him (Karras) and his wife.  Both were young and Sanders said the woman was one of the ugliest he'd ever seen.  It wasn't Karras' wife and he was testing Sanders to see how he'd react.  "You have a nice family", Sanders replied diplomatically.  From that moment on, Karras accepted Sanders as a teammate and a friend. "He was a character", said Sanders.  "He was the Godfather.  That's what Godfather's do".  

That's the kind of character he was.....

Upon retirement Karras gained fame as a partner in the booth with Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football......in movies, like the "Paper Lion" and "Blazing Saddles".....and then on to television with his hit "Webster". where he would star with his second wife, Susan Clark.    

I'm not sure he ever patched things up with his University.  I thought he had, but I couldn't confirm that before I wrote the facts that were important about his life.  He wore # 77 as a Hawkeye and that's how old he was when he passed.  Perhaps a little irony there.  As I said before.....he was different.  But in a great, great way.

R.I.P. Alex Karras.


Thanks for reading,

John  

AMONG THE A'S CELEBRATION COMES TRAGEDY

Wednesday was to have been a special day for the Oakland Athletics.  Despite a ton of factors working against them, namely injuries, the schedule and a team made up of a whole slug of no-names, was in essence a one-game winner take all American League West title game against the Texas Rangers.

To say this season was a replay of sorts to "Moneyball", the movie released this past year of the 2002 version of the Oakland Athletics, you might be accurate.  Except this......

"Something happened to the Oakland A's family on Wednesday that put the joy of winning the AL West and making the playoffs in the proper perspective.  A's reliever Pat Neshek and his wife, Stephanee, suffered a tragedy when their newborn son died less than 24 hours after being born.

While his teammates were celebrating a playoff spot, Neshek, who had left the team on Tuesday to be with his wife during the childbirth, tweeted the following:

"Please pray for my family.  Tonight my wife and I lost our first and only son 23 hours after he was born with no explanation".   That tweet just a few hours after Neshek had excitedly tweeted the news of the birth, including a photo of his new born son, named Gehrig John Neshek.

As Unexplainable as it gets.......  

Later Wednesday, Stephanee Neshek tweeted:

"I am at a loss for words right now....he died peacefully sleeping in my arms unexpectedly without any explanation.  There was no cause of death and I am having trouble understanding why God can let such a thing happen to an innocent being".

In a statement, the A's said:  Our hearts go out to Pat and Stephanee and we share in their sorrow of losing their young son.  The entire A's organization will keep the Neshek family in our prayers and thoughts, as they try to come to grips with this tragic occurrence in their lives".

Gehrig John Neshek weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces at birth.  Healthy by all accounts.  What caused his death?  I'm not sure if we'll ever know.  But for the Neshek's,  I hope and pray that an autopsy will find something to shed some light.  And if not, I pray the Neshek's see God's provision of direction through this difficult time.

Kind of puts life and sport in perspective, doesn't it?  As you watch Oakland and the Detroit Tigers battle it out in the playoffs beginning Friday......keep the Neshek's in your prayers. In fact, say one for them.  Just them and little Gehrig John.  No game, no win, no big-time contract can ever replace what they lost this week.  That's for sure.....

Thanks for reading,

John

THE SPECIAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

This past weekend marked an anniversary of a special athlete in the game of baseball,  Roberto Clemente.  It was 40 years ago this past Sunday that Clemente recorded his 3,000 major league hit.  That in itself was special.  Months later, we'd find out....how special.

Clemente was an extraordinary player.  He played 18 major league season all with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He was what many people would call a 5-tool player.  He could hit for power, he could throw, he could run, he could field and he could hit for average.  And he did them all with a class that places him among the all-time greats.  If you equate him with a player of today, see Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and you might get an idea of just how good he was.  Here are but a few of his accomplishments:

15-time All-Star
2-time World Series Champion (1960, 1971)
12-time Gold Glove Winner (1961-1972)
4-time National League Batting Champion (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967)
National League Most Valuable Player (1966)
World Series Most Valuable Player  (1971)
He is the only player in major league history to hit a walk-off inside-the-park Grand Slam

Roberto Clemente......something Special

But as great as Clemente was on the field, he might have been of  bigger significance off it. "During the off-season, Clemente was involved in charity work.  When Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua, was affected by a massive earthquake in 1972, Clemente, who had been visiting Managua three weeks before the quake, arranged relief flights to help the local residents.  Clemente soon learned, that the aid packages on the first three flights had been diverted by corrupt officials of the Somoza government, never reaching the victims of the quake.  

Clemente was incensed, so much that he decided to accompany the fourth relief flight, hoping that his presence would ensure that the aid would be delivered to the rightful source.  The airplane he chartered for a New Year's Eve flight, a Douglas DC-7, had  a history of mechanical problems and sub-par flight personnel and it was overloaded by some 4,000 pounds.  It crashed into the ocean off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, immediately after takeoff.  An empty flight case belonging to Clemente was the only personal item recovered from the plane. Clemente's teammate and close friend, Manny Sanguillen, was the only member of the Pirates not to attend his memorial service.  He chose instead to dive into the waters where Clemente's plane crashed in an effort to find his teammate.  His body was never found."

In March of 1973, the Baseball Writers of America held a special election for his admittance into the Hall of Fame.  They decided to waive the 5-year waiting period and voted him in posthumously.   Major League Baseball presents the Roberto Clemente Award every year to the player who best follows his example of humanitarian work.  In 193, Clemente was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the First Presidential Citizens Medal.  In 2002, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In their USA Today Magazine article titled, "Saluting Pittsburgh's Finest", Richard E. Vatz and Lee S. Weinberg said Clemente was "arguably the best in the history of the game" and stated that "understanding the magnitude of Roberto Clemente requires an appreciation of the gestalt of his presence, which was greater than the sum of his statistics".

Now, that's something special.

Thanks for reading,

John