The Early years
Puerto Rico Beisbol
Brooklyn Dodgers tryout at Sixto Escobar Stadium in August 1952.
The tryout was organized by Pedrin Zorrilla, owner of the Santurce Cangrejeros and coordinated by Ramón ¨Monchile¨ Concepción (#22)
Two months later, Roberto Clemente was signed by Pedrin Zorrilla for the Cangrejeros. The person with the Dodgers shirt is Al Campanis, who was scouting talent for the Major Leagues.
Photo: Benny Agosto/JCD collection
Roberto Clemente
First professional team
Roberto Clemente and prospect Junior Gilliam in 1952-53 season with Santurce Cangrejeros.
Gilliam was the Rookie of the Year in 1953 with Brooklyn. He played with the Dodgers for fourteen seasons and had a .262 lifetime average.
Photo: JCD collection
Santurce Cangrejeros
1954-1955
Photo: JCD collection
Santurce Cangrejeros
1954-1955
Bob Thurman, one of the best all time players in Puerto Rico, with Roberto Clemente in 1954-55 season.
Photo: JCD collection
greatest lineup in history
The 1954-55 Santurce Cangrejeros were one of the most legendary lineups in the history of Caribbean baseball.
Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Buster Clarkson, Bob Thurman and George Crowe.
Photo: JCD collection
the hero returns
home to his mentors
Roberto Clemente wears the Pittsburgh Pirates flannel for the first time at the Santurce Cangrejeros clubhouse.
With him, the man who signed him and owner of the Santurce Cangrejeros, Pedrin Zorrilla and coach Ramón ¨Monchile¨ Concepción.
Clemente was drafted by the Pirates in November 22, 1954 and this photo was taken in January 17, 1955.
Photo: JCD collection
two of the greatest
in puerto rican history
Future Cooperstown National Baseball Hall of Famers.
Roberto Clemente and rookie Orlando Cepeda with Santurce in 1955-56.
Photo: JCD collection
San Juan Senadores
1959-1960
Roberto Clemente at Sixto Escobar Stadium playing with his third team in Puerto Rico, San Juan Senadores in 1959-60.
That season he batted .330.
Photo: JCD collection
contract signing
1969-1970
Roberto Clemente signs his contract to play with San Juan Senadores in 1969-70.
From left to right, Ellis Cot Deal, manager, Clemente, and Pedrin Zorrilla, general manager.
Standing, José L. Carrión, Yuyo Carrasquillo, Mayito Nevárez and Luis Domingo Miranda.
Photo: Jerry Siskind
New Manager
1970-1971
New manager of San Juan 1970-71, Roberto Clemente, talks with players before a practice.
Number 29 is Sungo Carreras, at the right of Clemente, Max Oliveras, who later won seven championships as a manager in Puerto Rico, then José M. Morales, great DH in the big leagues, and #30 is Geno Guerra.
Photo: JCD collection
San Juan Senadores
1970-1971
Roberto Clemente, manager of San Juan Senadores, signals to his infielders in a game at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in 1970-71 season.
Photo: JCD collection
San Juan Senadores
1970-1971
Manager Roberto Clemente with his team, the San Juan Senadores in 1970-71.
Some of the players in this team were Jim Lonborg, Dave Cash, Al Oliver, Ken Singleton, Freddie Patek, José Morales, Manny Sanguillén, José Santiago and Mike Cuellar, among others.
They finished second in the regular season with a record of 37-30.
Photo: JCD collection
A walk-off homerun by Roberto Clemente in 1954-55 season with the Santurce Cangrejeros.