Walk up to the corner of Federal Street and Roberto Clemente Way in Pittsburgh and you'll see him. It isn't just a hunk of metal. The statue of Roberto Clemente at PNC Park is sort of the spiritual anchor for the whole city. He’s mid-stride, dropping his bat, eyes locked on first base as he sprints out of the box.
You can almost hear the crack of the wood.
Honestly, most sports statues feel a bit stiff, like they’re trying too hard to be "heroic." But this one? It captures the kinetic energy of a man who played every single inning like his life depended on it. Susan Wagner, the artist behind this 12-foot masterpiece, somehow made bronze look like it’s breathing.
But here’s the thing: while the Pittsburgh one is the "famous" one, it’s far from the only tribute to The Great One. If you’re looking for the real story of how Clemente is memorialized, you have to look past the Steel City.
The Pittsburgh Icon: More Than Just a Photo Op
The most recognizable statue of Roberto Clemente was actually unveiled back in 1994. Originally, it lived at Three Rivers Stadium, but when that place was demolished, they moved it to its current spot outside the Center Field Gate at PNC Park. It’s located right near the bridge that also bears his name.
If you visit on a game day, you'll see fans touching the base for luck.
People forget that Clemente wasn't just a baseball player to Pittsburgh; he was a bridge between the city’s old-school blue-collar roots and a more diverse future. He faced some pretty gnarly racism when he first arrived in 1955. Local papers used to mock his accent by writing out his quotes phonetically. It was ugly.
Yet, by the time he died in 1972, he was the king of the city. The statue captures that 18-season grind. It’s built from donations—literally thousands of fans chipped in a few bucks to make it happen. That gives it a different "vibe" than a statue funded by a billionaire owner.
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The Bronx: A Different Kind of Homecoming
You might not know that New York City has its own massive tribute. In 2013, a seven-foot-tall bronze statue of Roberto Clemente was unveiled at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx. This one is special for a reason most people miss: it was the first statue of a Puerto Rican figure ever erected in New York City.
Think about that for a second.
In a city with millions of Puerto Ricans, it took until 2013 to get a permanent statue of a Boricua legend. Sculpted by Maritza Hernandez and sponsored by Goya Foods, this version shows Clemente in a totally different light. Instead of running to first base, he’s standing still, doffing his cap to the crowd.
It represents the moment he hit his 3,000th—and final—hit.
The base of the Bronx statue features one of his most famous lines: "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth." It's heavy. But for the kids in Tremont and Morris Heights, it's a daily reminder that greatness isn't just about hitting a curveball.
The "Character and Courage" Trio in Cooperstown
If you head up to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, you’ll find another statue of Roberto Clemente. This one isn't solo. He stands alongside Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson in a piece titled Character and Courage.
It’s located right in the lobby.
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The sculptor, Stanley Bleifeld, chose these three because they represent the "human" side of the game. Clemente is there because of how he died—crashing in a plane on New Year’s Eve while trying to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
I’ve spent time standing there watching people look at it. There’s a quietness to that room. Most baseball fans know the stats—the 12 Gold Gloves, the .317 career average—but when you see him standing next to Robinson and Gehrig, the stats feel secondary. You realize he’s there because he was a man of immense moral weight.
Newark’s Hidden Gem
New Jersey actually has a version of the Pittsburgh statue. In 2012, a cast of Susan Wagner’s work was dedicated in Branch Brook Park in Newark.
Why Newark?
Because the Roberto Clemente Little League there has been a staple of the community since the late 70s. The local community raised $130,000 for it. Students at the local Roberto Clemente School even collected pennies and held food drives to help pay for the monument. That’s the kind of grassroots love that defines his legacy.
The Carolina Connection
In his hometown of Carolina, Puerto Rico, the statue of Roberto Clemente sits outside the stadium that bears his name (Estadio Roberto Clemente). It’s a pilgrimage site for Latin American ballplayers.
If you ever get the chance to visit, you'll see that it’s not just a tourist spot. It’s a place of deep cultural pride. In Puerto Rico, Clemente isn't just a Hall of Famer; he's essentially a saint. The statue there often has flowers or small offerings at the base, especially around the anniversary of his death or his birthday on August 18.
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What People Get Wrong About These Memorials
A lot of people think these statues are just about "celebrating a winner." But that’s a bit of a surface-level take. Honestly, if Clemente had just been a great player, he might have one statue in Pittsburgh and that’s it.
The reason you see a statue of Roberto Clemente in so many different cities is because of the way he played and the way he lived. He was a "loud" player—aggressive, daring, with a cannon for an arm—but a quiet, thoughtful man.
- The 3,000 Hit Misconception: People often think the statues are all about that 3,000th hit. While some are, like the one in the Bronx, others focus on his humanitarian spirit or his sheer athleticism.
- The "Number 21" Significance: You’ll notice the number 21 is always prominent. He chose it because it represented the number of letters in his full name: Roberto Clemente Walker.
- The "Great One" Title: In Pittsburgh, he's often just called "The Great One." The statues serve as the physical manifestation of that nickname.
How to Visit and What to Look For
If you’re planning a trip to see a statue of Roberto Clemente, here are a few tips to make it worth the drive:
- PNC Park (Pittsburgh): Go during a night game. The way the lights from the Roberto Clemente Bridge hit the bronze is incredible. It’s located near the Left Field/Center Field gate.
- The Bronx (NYC): The park is huge (25 acres). The statue is near the front entrance, but stay and walk the waterfront along the Harlem River. It’s one of the best views in the borough.
- Branch Brook Park (Newark): Time your visit for the Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring. It’s one of the most beautiful settings for a sports monument in the country.
- Cooperstown: Don't just look at the statue. Head into the library and ask to see the "Clemente files." The Hall of Fame has an incredible collection of his personal letters and artifacts that give context to the bronze image.
Clemente once said, "I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all he had to give." Looking at these statues across the hemisphere, it’s pretty clear he got his wish. They aren't just landmarks; they are reminders that being a hero is about what you do when the cameras aren't even on.
Go visit the one in Pittsburgh first. Stand at the base, look up at that 12-foot frame, and try to imagine him rounding second base with that wild, beautiful lunging stride. It’ll give you chills.
To get the most out of your visit, check the local team schedules or park hours ahead of time, as the areas around these statues can get incredibly crowded during special events or anniversaries like Roberto Clemente Day in September. If you're heading to the Bronx location, consider taking the Metro-North to the Morris Heights station for the easiest access. For the Pittsburgh site, walking across the bridge from downtown is the best way to soak in the atmosphere.