The Pittsburgh Pirates and MLB will again be honoring “The Great One” tomorrow for Roberto Clemente Day, this time it will be in front of fans.
MLB has extended the honor of wearing Clemente’s No. 21 to all uniformed personnel of Puerto Rican descent this year for the 20th annual Roberto Clemente Day. In addition, all 2021 Roberto Clemente Award nominees, as well as the six active players who are Roberto Clemente Award recipients, can also wear the No. 21, according to ESPN.
Last season, when teams played in empty ballparks, MLB allowed all Puerto Rican players to wear the No. 21 to honor the late Pirates star for the first time, after the Clemente family authorized its use. It also was the first time the Pirates, the team for which Clemente played his entire Hall of Fame career, honored the life and legacy of “The Great One,” with every member of the team wearing No. 21 on their uniforms.
This year, it will also be possible for any player, regardless of heritage or place of birth, to request to wear No. 21, as long as the club is given enough notice to create the uniform.