An incredible batter and an accomplished fielder, Roberto Clemente earned the nickname "The Great One" both on and off the playing field.

As the youngest of five children, Roberto Walker Clemente was born in 1934 in the rural barrio of San Anton in Puerto Rico. He was a softball star and track and field competitor, but his true passion was "beisbol." By the age of 18, he joined the Puerto Rican professional league, signing with the Santurce Cangrejeros team for $40 per week.

Nearly two years later, the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Clemente to a minor-league contract, but the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed him one year later in the minor league free agent draft. The signing proved to be one of the best moves in Pirates history.

By 1955, the 21-year-old Clemente started in right field, the first of his 18 seasons with the Pirates. As a 12-time all-star, Clemente led the Pirates to two World Series championships and earned four National League batting titles and the 1966 league MVP.

Considered by many as the greatest defensive right fielder of all time, he earned an amazing 12 Gold Gloves during his career.

As impressive as Clemente's on-field prowess was, his more lasting legacy is as a humanitarian. Working tirelessly to improve the living conditions of Latin Americans, Clemente donated countless hours and money to charities, much of which took place away from the public limelight.

Clemente remains a cultural icon throughout Latin America, and Major League Baseball annually recognizes one player's charitable contributions with an award in his honor.

Although he tragically died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, fans will forever remember Clemente as a Hall of Fame player and humanitarian. Visitors to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the History Center can learn more about Clemente's amazing career and see a bat from his 1966 MVP season in the new exhibit "Forbes Field: A Century of Memories."