The Pirates erected a statue of Roberto Clemente outside PNC Park.
His retired No. 21 is on display.
The right-field wall is called the Roberto Clemente Wall, is 21 feet tall and adorned with two No. 21s.
Clemente was in the first class inducted to the Pirates’ in-house hall of fame.
A bridge outside PNC Park bears Clemente’s name.
There has been an endless string of Roberto Clemente Days at PNC Park.
Clemente has been honored constantly, and in every way possible.
Clemente’s family has no reason to feel at all shortchanged by the Pirates organization, let alone disrespected.
Recently — and, as it turns out, temporarily — a logo commemorating Clemente was removed from just below the right-field foul pole and replaced with advertising.
Roberto Clemente Jr. immediately played the victim by issuing a statement, bemoaning especially that the Clemente family was not consulted before the logo was removed.
My statement on the removal of the Clemente 21 tribute sign at PNC Park. pic.twitter.com/lKW2TkMrpS
— Roberto Clemente Jr (@RClementejr21) April 6, 2025
Clemente Jr. did not mention any of the other ways the Pirates have honored his father.
Clemente Jr. laid it on thick with phrases like “deeply personal,” “historically significant,” “outpouring of support,” “inspire and unite people,” “integrity and compassion,” “respect and shared values.”
Over a logo on a wall.
When numerous other tributes to Clemente are still in full view.
There are any number of reasons to despise the Pirates. This isn’t one.
Of course, the Pirates are putting the logo right back up. Roll over. Sit up. Good dog.
Owner Bob Nutting should thank Clemente Jr. and any fans who were outraged. This drama has a big element of “don’t look here, look over there.”
Then the Pirates beat the New York Yankees, 5-4, in 11 innings on Sunday at PNC Park. You could feel the spirit of Clemente!
The Pirates had blown a 4-1 ninth-inning lead. You could feel the spirit of David Bednar, too.
The Pirates haven’t won a playoff series since 1979 and have no serious intent to ever truly compete again. Keeping the nostalgia train on the tracks is understandable. It’s a positive thing that can be sold.
This latest spectacle seems a good excuse to have yet another Roberto Clemente Night. A new logo can be unveiled under the right-field foul pole. A better logo. Tickets on sale now! (Don’t waste it on a night when Paul Skenes pitches.)
Clemente Jr. will be on hand, of course. Has he ever had a job besides being Clemente’s son?
Clemente Jr. autographs photos of his father and sells them. Like Clemente Jr. had something to do with Clemente’s career.
Nice work, if you can get it.
As Logan Roy said on “Succession,” “Make your own pile!”
I saw Clemente play. He’s the top Pirate ever and one of the greatest, most gracious and noble athletes who ever played in Pittsburgh. (Which wouldn’t have lasted long if they had free agency back then.)
There’s only one Clemente. I revere his memory.
But he’s been dead for over 50 years.
The Pirates should feel no obligation to negotiate with Clemente Jr. about anything. He’s not his dad. He’s not an icon. He’s small potatoes.
The Pirates’ MLB-worst payroll is worthy of ridicule.
The Pirates won’t spend a day over .500 this year. That’s worthy of ridicule.
A lot of the roster doesn’t belong in the big leagues. That’s worthy of ridicule.
The Pirates are wasting Skenes’ tenure in Pittsburgh. That’s worthy of ridicule.
But this tempest in a teapot over a logo removed and now restored is no big deal.
Keep the Clemente statue, wall and bridge.
Tell Clemente’s kid to get lost.