Roberto Clemente is a baseball icon. Over his 18-year career he won two world series, acquired 12 golden gloves, four batting titles, and is one of only 33 players in baseball history to collect 3,000 hits in his career. Clemente’s resume jumps off the page. 

But what Clemente was able to accomplish on the field may not even be his greatest contribution. Clemente’s record as a civil rights advocate and humanitarian is as synonymous with his reputation as his athletic achievements. 

Tragically, Clemente’s desire to help others led to his death in December 1972. On a trip to escort aid to Nicaragua after an earthquake hit the country, his plane crashed and he was never seen again. 

To honor him in the years since the accident, the MLB gives the Roberto Clemente award to the player who demonstrates exceptional work off the field. 

In an effort to further enshrine Clemente’s legacy, a new stage play tells his story.

“Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within” is an original play written by Candido Tirado. The play is being  produced by Plowshares Theatre Company and it runs from June 12th through June 28th in the Marlene Boll Theatre at The Boll Family YMCA. 

Gary Anderson, Producing Artistic Director of Plowshares Theatre Company, joined the show to explain why he’s bringing this take on Clemente’s life to a Detroit stage.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

The story of retired baseball player Ron LeFlore is one  worth repeating. 

LeFlore was a gifted athlete who refused to let the mistakes he made during his childhood define him. His talent, perseverance and a little luck catapulted him out of his prison cell and onto the Detroit Tiger’s roster for six seasons. He led the league in stolen bases twice and secured a spot on the 1976 All-Star team. 

Although Ron LeFlore’s story has been told before in an movie and an autobiography, author Adam Henig felt there was still more to tell.

In Henig’s book “Baseball’s Outcasts: The Story of Ron LeFlore” he details the former Tiger’s journey from the streets of Detroit to the dugout, and LeFlore’s life after the major leagues. Henig  joined the show to explore some of the lesser known details about Ron LeFlore’s life. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro