Clemente, Roberto

(born Aug. 18, 1934, Carolina, P.R.—died Dec. 31, 1972, off the coast of Puerto Rico) Puerto Rican baseball player. Clemente played in the minor leagues in his native land before joining the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955. He led the National League in hitting in 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1967, and batted .362 in two World Series (1960, 1970). He was also known for his fielding, throwing, and base stealing. His career was cut short when he died in the crash of an airplane loaded with relief supplies he had collected for Nicaraguan earthquake victims.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica