Lorenzen, Reds celebrate Clemente's legacy 

PITTSBURGH -- Two Reds players wore No. 21 to honor Hall of Fame Pirates outfielder and humanitarian Roberto Clemente on Wednesday as part of Major League Baseball’s expanded initiative to allow more players to wear Clemente’s 21 on Sept. 15, the date that MLB will forever celebrate Clemente’s accomplishments.

First baseman Joey Votto, the Reds’ 2021 Roberto Clemente Award nominee, and right-hander Mychal Givens, whose great-grandparents are Puerto Rican, switched from Nos. 19 and No. 48, respectively, to 21 for the evening's game at PNC Park.

But for Cincinnati right-hander Michael Lorenzen, wearing No. 21 to honor "The Great One" is an everyday occurrence. Lorenzen first wore No. 50 with the Reds in 2015, but he switched to 21 in 2016, after meeting Clemente’s family on a mission trip to Puerto Rico.

"We’d do baseball camps and clinics, and share about our faith every day we were there and the Clementes would meet us there,” Lorenzen said. “It was a neat experience.”

It was while he was on that trip, over dinner at the Clemente family’s home, that Lorenzen decided he wanted to wear No. 21 to honor Clemente, and he asked his widow, Vera Clemente, for her permission.

“I remember sitting around the table saying, ‘If I get the chance, do you mind if I wear the number in honor of Roberto?’” Lorenzen recalled. “She loved it. She loved the idea.”

A few weeks later, the Reds traded Todd Frazier to the White Sox, freeing up No. 21 for Lorenzen.

But why did Lorenzen, who is from California and was born nearly 20 years after Clemente’s death, choose the former Pirates outfielder for a tribute?

“His heart to serve others,” Lorenzen said. “One of my favorite quotes is, ‘The best leaders are the best servants.’ Those who want to serve people and help people. He was a man of faith, as well, and that’s where his motivation came from. …

“That’s someone that I always looked up to as a kid, just watching documentaries, when I ended up becoming someone of faith, and I was like, 'Man, I play this game for a reason.' He was someone that lived that out and showed me that you can use this game, not just for yourself, but to help others, as well. That’s really why I’ve been drawn to him.”

For Lorenzen, honoring Clemente has been a part of his everyday baseball life for a few years now, from the No. 21 in his locker to a personal collection of Clemente memorabilia. But to celebrate with the rest of MLB where Clemente played in Pittsburgh is extra special.

“I have some friends in town from when I went on a mission trip with the Clemente family out in Puerto Rico,” Lorenzen said. “It’s going to be extremely special and it’s going to be pretty neat to see other guys wear the number, as we should.”

Some around baseball have advocated for retiring Clemente’s No. 21 across MLB, as has been done for Jackie Robinson’s No. 42. Lorenzen said that’s an idea he can get behind.

“That would be a great honor to the family, for sure,” he said. “He gave his life trying to help people and we need to put that on a pedestal, because it’s something that is extremely admirable. … Retiring his number, I think is a good idea.”