Baseball`s Last Hero

The American film studio “Legendary Pictures” has decided to tell the world a life story of the legendary baseball player from Puerto Rico Roberto Clemente who was a real role model, both inside and outside baseball field. The as-yet-unnamed biological drama will be based on the book “The Passion and Grace of Baseball`s Last Hero” which was written by the winner of the Pulitzer Prize David Maraniss.

Clemente was born in the barrio of San Aton, Puerto Rico on August 18, 1934. Since young age, Roberto helped his father at the sugar factory who was working there in order to provide for seven children. The boy spent all his free time on the baseball diamonds. Being a teenager Clemente was invited to play in one of the baseball teams of the amateur league.

Roberto signed his first professional baseball contract when he was 18 years. He quickly had become one of the key players in his baseball team and draw attention of baseball scouts from the USA. He made his major league debut in 1955. Two times he became the champion of the World Series during 18 seasons with “Pittsburg Pirates”. He participated in the Major League Baseball All-Star Games fifteen times.

Despite great fees and growing popularity, Roberto managed to avoid star sickness. During off-season, Clemente was actively engaged in charity. Roberto also couldn`t stand aside when a strong earthquake was in Managua (December 1972). He organized the delivery of basic consumer goods to Nicaragua. However, soon Roberto found out that three cargos stuck in the way and couldn’t reach its destination. Then the famous baseball player leased a private plane in order to hand over humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake.

Shortly after the take-off the engine of the aircraft had failed and the plane crashed into the water. Body of the famous player wasn’t found. In the spring of the next year, Roberto Clemente was posthumously included to the Baseball Hall of Fame and was awarded by the Congressional Gold Medal. The annual MLB award, which is given for outstanding game results and significant contribution to the community activities, was called by the name of Roberto Clemente.

The American poet and literary critic Rowan Ricardo Phillips will work on the adaptation of the Maraniss`s book. The director`s chair of the movie will be entrusted to Ezra Edelman who won “Oscar” and “Emmy” awards last year for the work on famous documentary “O.J.: Made in America”.