LaTroy Hawkins wears number 21 out of respect.“It’s for Roberto Clemente,” Hawkins explained. “The man died trying to help people. How can you not respect that? He has this cool quote: ‘Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don’t, you’re wasting your time here on earth.’”
Clemente was killed more than 35 years ago in a plane crash – trying to bring relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua – but he still lives with Hawkins in the Bronx and with Carlos Delgado who wears the 21 in Queens and with Paul O’Neill who used to wear it in the Bronx and in Cincinnati, too.
Clemente will always live with every Major Leaguer and Minor Leaguer and Little Leaguer who asks for the 21 jersey. He will also be with the kids in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and Highbridge and Washington Heights who write 21 on the backs of their T-shirts.
There is a fascination with retiring numbers these days. There has even been talk about permanently retiring the 21 throughout the Major Leagues for Clemente.
Hanging a numbered sign in every big-league ballpark doesn’t seem like much of an honor for a man like Clemente. He understood that empty promises can’t change things, but people can. I think he would rather have those people wearing 21 and doing the work that he never got to finish.
The 21 can live forever on the backs of people like Hawkins and Delgado…
Clemente would appreciate that kind of respect.
8 comments:
Great post Todd. I agree with you that it would be better for players to wear the number in his honor than to retire it for every team. Also, I've got to express my disgust for the fans who booed Hawkins on opening day because he took that number. Just disgraceful.
Thanks for always being here, man. I can count on this blog to give the most interesting and thought provoking angle on every story.
Thanks rodg12. I’ve always loved Hawkins and I’m glad he’s finally a Yankee. He is tough and talented and a great teammate and a great person. That’s already made him a favorite in this neighborhood.
Joeyboy,
I just write what I see and hear. The credit belongs to the game and the Bronx and the rest of New York City, too.
Rodg12:
I was shocked that there was any booing. Hawkins is the last person that should happen to.
The few people that booed are not from the Bronx. I am not positive where they are from, but I bet there is a Wal-Mart nearby.
Very nice story. Until I read this I would have voted for Clemente’s number to be retired in MLB. You are right about it not being the right honor for a man of the people. It looks like Roberto’s legacy will burn brighter the more people wear 21. Hats off to this blog for making that point.
That's a good point. I never thought about it that way, at all. I've always wondered why they didn't universally retire his number throughout baseball. But what you said makes a lot of sense.
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