Baseball's Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories

Last updated
Baseball's Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories
Baseball's Last Hero 21 Clemente Stories.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Richard Rossi
Written byRichard Rossi
Starring Jamie Nieto
Marilinda Rivera
Release date
  • August 18, 2013 (2013-08-18)
CountryUnited States

Baseball's Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories is a 2013 American biographical sports film. The movie is an independent film about the life of Major League Baseball player Roberto Clemente. It is the first feature dramatic film on Clemente's life and was written and directed by California filmmaker and Pittsburgh native Richard Rossi and stars two-time Olympian high-jumper Jamie Nieto in the title role of Roberto Clemente and Project Runway Winner Marilinda Rivera as his wife Vera Clemente. [1] Clemente made his Pittsburgh debut in 1955 and went on to be named to 12 all-star teams while leading the National League in batting four times, winning one most valuable player award and two World Series rings. [2] [3]

Contents

Theme and structure

The film dramatizes how the Hall of Famer faced racism, dedicated himself to humanitarian work, and died in a plane crash en route to Nicaragua to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in 1972. The “21 Clemente Stories” are 21 vignettes, each from a letter in his complete name using the 21 letters in Roberto Walker Clemente. [4] "The first “R” stands for Rookie and the last “E” for earthquake, referring to the Nicaraguan quake that led to Clemente's death on an aid mission," Rossi said. [5] "I want people to learn about Clemente, to feel the emotion of the true love he felt for his family, his fans, his team, and the disadvantaged poor he died helping". [5] One of the scenes in the movie features a conversation Clemente has with a nun.

The scene spurred a push for Clemente's canonization as a Catholic saint, including from Rossi. [6] [7] [8] [9] "I've never thought of him in terms of being a saint", said Neil Walker, whose father was a teammate of Clemente. "But he's somebody who lived his life serving others, really. So if it would happen, I wouldn't be terribly surprised by it." [10]

Some claim the canonization requirement of a miracle was met on July 22, 2017, when Jamie Nieto, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a backflip accident three years after the Clemente film was released, walked 130 steps at his own wedding to fellow Olympian Shevon Stoddart. The miracle was predicted by Rossi as a demonstration of the power of God. [6] [11] [12]

Production

Rossi worked on the writing of the screenplay for five years, but his stories originated in childhood. When he was growing up in the West View section of Pittsburgh, he sat in Three Rivers Stadium and watched Clemente advance the Pittsburgh Pirates to the 1971 World Series. Clemente's attitude towards his fans made an impression on Rossi. “He used to say it is most important to spend the greatest amount of time doing things you love,” Rossi said. “He would talk about people in mills spending money on tickets for games, and how impressed he was at that. It was before free agency, but I don't think it would have mattered.” [13] As Rossi recalls, he wrote about Clemente for so many assignments in elementary school (starting in third grade) that one of the teachers finally chastised him for it.

Rossi had difficulty casting the lead. "I'd find someone who looked like him and had those aspects, but they wouldn't be a good athlete," said Rossi. "I'd play catch with them, have them swing the bat. I didn't think we'd find all of those components." [14] Richard Rossi appears in a supporting role playing the part of the agent "Birddog," who persuaded Clemente to leave the Brooklyn Dodgers to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. [15] Rossi believed that Clemente is just as important to the sport of baseball as Jackie Robinson and thinks that his number should be universally retired like the color-barrier breaking Dodger. He originally planned to make the film with a budget like that of "42: The Jackie Robinson Story," but health problems prompted him to jumpstart production and stop waiting for an elusive check from a wealthy investor. “My doc said ‘these kind of moments are wake up calls…if there’s anything you want to do,’” Rossi said. “I said ‘I want to make my Clemente movie’ which is an odd response. Most people want to go on vacation or tour Europe or something. I wanted to make this film.” [16] [17] The actors and technicians volunteered their time and donated their services to the project, the film is a blend of news and game footage along with scripted and acted scenes. [18]

Exhibition

Rossi returned to Pittsburgh to premiere his film to two sold-out screenings [19] at the Strand Theater on Roberto Clemente's birthday, August 18, 2013. Ron Carter, owner of the century-old Strand, hosted the premiere. “We have done any number of shows here, but this is our very first film premiere,” Carter said. [20] After Pittsburgh's premiere, Rossi exhibited the film in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, other cities, small art theaters, Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago, the Wild Goose Festival in North Carolina, and on DVD. [21] [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Pirates</span> Major League Baseball franchise in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central Division. Founded as part of the American Association in 1881 under the name Pittsburgh Alleghenys, the club joined the National League in 1887 and was a member of the National League East from 1969 through 1993. The Pirates have won five World Series championships, nine National League pennants, nine National League East division titles and made three appearances in the Wild Card Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roberto Clemente</span> Puerto Rican baseball player (1934–1972)

Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, primarily as a right fielder. After his early and sudden death, the National Baseball Hall of Fame changed its rules so that a player who had been dead for at least six months would be eligible for entry. In 1973 Clemente was posthumously inducted, becoming the first Caribbean and the first Latin-American player to be honored in the Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Rivers Stadium</span> Stadium in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PNC Park</span> Baseball stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US

PNC Park is a baseball stadium on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates. Opened during the 2001 MLB season, PNC Park sits along the Allegheny River with a view of the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline. Constructed of steel and limestone, it has a natural grass playing surface and can seat 38,747 people for baseball. It was built just to the east of its predecessor, Three Rivers Stadium, which was demolished in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Rossi</span> American film director

Richard Rossi is an American filmmaker, actor, writer, talk radio host, musician, and former evangelical minister.

<i>Chasing 3000</i> 2007 US sports drama film by Gregory J. Lanesey

Chasing 3000 is a 2007 American independent film chronicling the cross-country travel of two brothers to see the 3,000th base hit of Major League Baseball legend Roberto Clemente. It stars Trevor Morgan, Rory Culkin, Ray Liotta, and Lauren Holly. The film was originally meant to premiere at the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, but its release was delayed until April 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Tábata</span> Venezuelan baseball player

José Nicolas Tábata is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was an international signee of the New York Yankees in 2005, and by 2008, became the Yankees' No. 2 prospect. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2010 through 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Clemente Museum</span> Biographical museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Clemente Museum is an American museum honoring Roberto Clemente, the Major League Baseball right fielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Hall of Famer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Walker</span> American baseball player (born 1985)

Neil Martin Andrew Walker is an American former professional baseball second baseman and current broadcaster. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2009–2015), New York Mets (2016–17), Milwaukee Brewers (2017), New York Yankees (2018), Miami Marlins (2019), and Philadelphia Phillies (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew McCutchen</span> American baseball player (born 1986)

Andrew Stefan McCutchen is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jameson Taillon</span> American-Canadian baseball player (born 1991)

Jameson Lee Taillon is a Canadian-American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees.

Charles V. Feeney was an American sportswriter in New York City and Pittsburgh for more than 40 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregory Polanco</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1991)

Gregory Polanco, nicknamed "El Coffee", is a Dominican professional baseball right fielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2014 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and he also played in NPB for the Yomiuri Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Pittsburgh Pirates season</span> Major League Baseball team season

The 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the franchise's 136th season overall, 131st season as a member of the National League, and the 17th season at PNC Park. They failed to improve on their record from the previous season and finished fourth in the National League Central. The Pirates failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Luis Alberto Escobar Hernandez is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Pittsburgh Pirates season</span> Major League Baseball team season

The 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the franchise's 137th season overall, 132nd season as a member of the National League, and the 18th season at PNC Park. The Pirates finished the season in fourth place in the National League Central, with a record of 82–79 and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darío Agrazal</span> Panamanian baseball player (born 1994)

Darío Abdiel Agrazal Espinosa is a Panamanian former professional baseball pitcher. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Swaggerty</span> American baseball player (born 1997)

Travis Wade Swaggerty Jr. is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legacy of Roberto Clemente</span> Legacy of a baseball player from Puerto Rico

Roberto Clemente is considered one of Puerto Rico's most important Major League Baseball players and became the first Latin American player to enter the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. As a humanitarian, he became known for his philanthropic activities and for being outspoken in civic issues that affected the Hispanic and Latino communities. In both of these facets, Clemente left a long-lasting legacy that remains socially relevant and the subject of academic study and recognitions over fifty years after his death.

References

  1. ↑ Tuttle, Andrew (July 27, 2011). "Feature Film on Roberto Clemente in the Works". Seamheads Baseball Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "Completed Roberto Clemente Biopic, Filmed in Long Beach, Set for First Public Screening". lbpost. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  3. ↑ Fenno, Nathan (June 4, 2017). "Olympic high jumper paralyzed by freak injury now hopes to walk down aisle at wedding". No. Sunday Front Page Sports Section. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  4. ↑ Mellen, Greg (August 8, 2014). "Film about baseball Hall of Fame's Roberto Clemente to play in Long Beach". Orange County Register. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Carrie Chantler (2013-08-29). "Capturing Clemente: Film about Pittsburgh Pirates legend makes NY premiere in Auburn". Auburnpub.com. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  6. 1 2 Payne, Marissa (August 17, 2017). "Vatican dispels claim that Roberto Clemente is on his way to sainthood". Washington Post. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  7. ↑ Biertempfel, Rob. "Biertempfel: One man's cause to canonize Roberto Clemente". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  8. ↑ Somers, Meredith. "Off base? Effort underway to make Roberto Clemente a saint". The Washington Times. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  9. ↑ Jones, Diana Nelson. "Saint Roberto Clemente?: Former Pittsburgh pastor seeks sainthood for the Pirates great". Post-Gazette. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  10. ↑ McCleary, Mary (April 1, 2016). "Remembering selfless baseball great Roberto Clemente". New Boston Post. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  11. ↑ Graham, Pat (July 22, 2017). "Injured Olympian Walks at Wedding Despite Odds of Never Walking Again". NBC. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  12. ↑ Chavez, Chris (July 22, 2017). "Paralyzed Olympian Jamie Nieto Walks at Wedding". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  13. ↑ "Filmmaker's Clemente movie a testament to grace, power". TribLIVE. 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  14. ↑ "How an Olympic high jumper became Clemente in indie film - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. 2012-08-04. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  15. ↑ Vancheri, Barbara (August 8, 2013). "Film Notes: Strand to screen movie about Roberto Clemente". Block Communications. Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  16. ↑ Ruiz, Jason (August 13, 2014). "Completed Roberto Clemente Biopic, Filmed in Long Beach, Set for First Public Screening". Long Beach Post. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  17. ↑ ZumMallen, Ryan (August 15, 2014). "Roberto Clemente Biopic a Dream Come True". Gazettes Inc. Gazettes Sports. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  18. ↑ Chantler, Carrie (August 29, 2013). "Capturing Clemente: Film about Pittsburgh Pirates legend makes NY premiere in Auburn". Auburn Citizen. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  19. 1 2 "Clemente movie available for short time on DVD". TribLIVE. 2013-09-13. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  20. ↑ "Filmmaker's Clemente movie a testament to grace, power". TribLIVE. 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  21. ↑ Mellen, Greg (August 8, 2014). "Film about baseball Hall of Fame's Roberto Clemente to play in Long Beach". Orange County Register. Freedom Communications, Inc. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.