Roberto Clemente, the first Latino baseball superstar, died on December 31, 1972, when his plane crashed while he tried to fly relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Clemente's legacy endures nearly four decades after his tragic death, because he was not only a superb player -- one of the best ever -- but also a true hero, a passionate advocate for civil rights and for helping and inspiring others. Those who loved and admired Clemente speak out with touching memories in this moving and affecting book. "Wagenheim, author of two books about Puerto Rico and ex-ballplayer and sportswriter, is the right man to perform the essentially serious task of bringing the real Roberto Clemente closer to many fans." --Publishers Weekly "Wagenheim, author of two books about Puerto Rico and ex-ballplayer and sportswriter, is the right man to perform the essentially serious task of bringing the real Roberto Clemente closer to many fans." --Publishers Weekly Clemente! The Enduring Legacy is an anthology of memories, testimonies, and tributes to Roberto Clemente, the first Latino baseball superstar, who perished in 1972 when his plane crashed while he attempted to fly relief supplies to earthquake sufferers in Nicaragua. Clemente's legacy is not only one of exceptional skill in the sport of baseball, but also true heroism. Clemente advocated civil rights, listening to others, and inspiring others; the nobility of his character shines through in this enriching and rewarding collection that honors his efforts, and his example. Highly recommended. --Midwest Book Review-Book Watch Wagenheim, author of two books about Puerto Rico and ex-ballplayer and sportswriter, is the right man to perform the essentially serious task of bringing the real Roberto Clemente closer to many fans. --Publishers Weekly "This is the classic stuff of sports tragedy, the athlete dying young." --Roger Kahn, author of The Boys of Summer "A fine, moving, one might even say inspirational book." --Robert Friedman, The San Juan Star "Millions today remember Clemente as their all-time favorite--a true superstar and inspiration. . . . There are numerous schools, clinics, programs, parks and awards named after this riveting man." --Danny Torres "Clemente was devastated by the news of Martin Luther King's assassination but didn't suffer in silence. Instead, he led a charge to prevent the Pirates and Astros from opening their season on April 8th, the day before King's burial. He convinced his teammates on the Pirates, which included 11 African Americans, to stand with him. Opening Day was moved to April 10th, and Roberto Clemente had put sports in its proper perspective." --Dave Zirin "I think the bottom line for him was trying to show Puerto Ricans and other human beings that regardless of how poor you are, the color of your skin, your main language, if you dedicate yourself to a cause you can be a winner. In Puerto Rico we remember Roberto Clemente as a national hero, an outstanding humanitarian, an inspiration for the needy as well as a man who was able to solve the human, social and political challenges that life presented to him. . . . His biggest legacy is that he remains an inspiration so many years after his death." --Luis Rodriguez-Mayoral "It's important to look back at the kind of impact a true sports hero can have on our nation. Roberto Clemente was much more than an athlete--he channeled that fame into a larger mission of helping people, broke racial barriers, and continues to inspire today." --Mark Samels, Executive Producer, American Experience Kal KAL WAGENHEIM, a journalist, is the author of numerous plays and screenplays and the author or translator of eight books, including The Puerto Ricans: A Documentary History, co-edited with his wife, Dr. Olga Jiménez-Wagenheim, and Cuentos: Stories from Puerto Rico, which he edited and, in part, translated from Spanish. KAL WAGENHEIM, a journalist, is the author of numerous plays and screenplays and the author or translator of eight books, including The Puerto Ricans: A Documentary History, co-edited with his wife, Dr. Olga Jiménez-Wagenheim, and Cuentos: Stories from Puerto Rico, which he edited and, in part, translated from Spanish.