NEW YORK -- For the big leaguers who saw him play, Roberto Clemente was a breathtaking talent and unmistakable force on the field who made a powerful impact on young ballplayers.
His selfless humanitarianism left a lasting impression, too.
Major League Baseball commemorated its 21st annual Roberto Clemente Day on Thursday, with festivities centered in New York, where the Mets hosted the Hall of Fame outfielder's former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Clemente died in a plane crash at age 38 attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua on New Year's Eve 1972.