Roberto Clemente 1954 Timeline

This is the 1954 installment in a chronology of memorable moments in the professional career of Roberto Clemente.

__ Feb 12 __ Momen 1, Mahoo 0 – Solo HR to dead center

"Roberto Clemente's smash to straight-away center," accounts for the only run in Puerto Rico's 1 - 0 victory over the Virgin Islands in game one of this three-game exhibition inter-island tourney. Clemente's clout combines with Tellito Lopez's 5-hit shutout to relegate Walter "Mahoo" James to the ranks of runner-up, although the latter does record 12 strikeouts en route to his hard luck loss.

__ Feb 19 __ Brooklyn's Bid Lands Five-Tool Phenom

19-year-old Roberto Clemente signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers for one year at $5,000 with a $10,000 signing bonus. The Dodgers thus beat out a number of other clubs in the Clemente sweepstakes. They've outspent the prior two entrants, their cross-river rivals in Manhattan and the Bronx, and simply beaten the Milwaukee Braves to the punch. By far the biggest spenders of the bunch (by all accounts exceeding Brooklyn's offer by at least 150%), the Braves were just a tad tardy, Clemente having already accepted the Dodgers' terms. The Dodgers may have won the first battle, but they will lose Clemente's services in one year when they fail to protect him in the Rule V Draft.

__ Apr 01 __ "Clemente Paces Royals to Win"

"Roberto Clemente, 18-year-old [sic] bonus baby, belted an inside-the-park home run and two singles today to lead the Montreal Royals to a 12-2 victory over a group of ex-serviceman in a spring training baseball game."

Aside from getting his age wrong, one has to admit this is a pretty nice press clipping with which to start the nineteen-year-old rookie's North American scrapbook.

__ Apr 29 __ Montreal Welcomes Momen

Momen Wins Over Montreal

"They seem to have a new star coming up in Roberto Clemente, the Puerto Rican fielder." "He made some sparkling catches in center field." "He had three singles, bunted in smart style, caught on with the fans, and was complimented by [Royals’ manager Max] Macon at the end of the game."

Lloyd McGowan of the Star offers an 'open letter' to Dodger GM Buzzie Bavasi.

"Well, Buzz old boy, there are a few things for which the 11,089 cash clients in Delorimier Stadium would like to say 'thanks.' They thank you for Roberto Clemente, the Puerto Rican kid who should be a very popular player here. He runs well and yesterday he went three-for-four with his salary stick. They call him Momen and I don’t know why."

__ Jun 01 __ Clemente Spotted by Pirate Scout

Clemente is seen by Pirates pitching coach Clyde Sukeforth (on special assignment in Richmond to scout newly demoted hurler Joe Black); from that moment, despite Buzzie Bavasi's desperate maneuvering, his prize prospect is lost. As Sukeforth himself will later tell TSN's Les Biederman:

"I saw Clemente and forgot all about Black." "I arrived at the Richmond ball park just in time to see the pre-game workout. I saw Clemente throwing from the outfield and I couldn't take my eyes off him. Later in the game he was used as a pinch-hitter and I liked his swing. I started asking questions and learned he was a bonus player and would be eligible for the draft." "Since the Pirates had first choice, I knew this would be our man." "In fact, I told manager Max Macon to take good care of 'our boy' and see that he didn't get hurt."

__ July 25 __ RC's 1st North American Home Run

This blast is big in more ways than one: both prodigious and game-winning, game-ending in fact. Moreover, it ends Clemente's period in exile, which has lasted the nearly two months since Sukeforth's fateful visit to Richmond. It certainly makes longtime Montreal beat writer Lloyd McGowan stand up and take notice:

"Homeward bound, the 4,252 customers were satisfied, chatty and cheerful. 'They have a new idol, a new star,' [International League official] Harry Simmons said. 'Roberto Clemente.' No truer words were spoken on the weekend. Clemente’s clout over the left field wall yesterday, his first homer of the campaign, won the opening game, Hollywood style in the tenth inning.''

A few weeks later, the veteran writer – and longtime Delorimier denizen – will help put Clemente's 'Hollywood ending' into historical perspective.

"Not long ago Clemente won an extra-inning contest for the Royals here with a home run over the left field fence. Few players have achieved that feat at Delorimier Stadium."

__ Aug 18 __ Robby's Biggest Baseball Birthday

Single, Triple, Walk-Off Outfield Assist

Ironically, before he ever reaches the majors, in the midst of this misbegotten season, comes Clemente's greatest baseball birthday [at least in North America], complete with signature Clemente climax:

"Roberto Clemente, rookie Puerto Rican outfielder, turned in the key defensive play that enabled the Royals to edge Toronto, 8 to 7, August 18. With two out in the ninth, Clemente uncorked a perfect throw to cut down the Leafs’ potential tying run at the plate and end the game."

__ Aug 29 __ Two Triples and Game-Winning RBI...

"Montreal had taken a 7-6 lead in the eighth against reliever Irv Medlinger on a walk and Bob Clemente’s second triple of the game."

Well, it should've been a game-winning RBI. Unfortunately, Royals' reliever Glenn Cox can not close the deal, coughing up the slim lead plus one, thus fashioning one frustrating 8-7 defeat out of what moments before had seemed an immensely gratifying 7-6 decision.

__ Sep 05 __ RC's 2nd HR: Yet Another Game-Ender

Clemente's second and final four-bagger of 1954 will be, as was the first, an extra-inning walkoff job.

"The Royals knocked Syracuse out of the first divison by sweeping a doubleheader from them today... The Chiefs spotted the Royals to a 3-run lead in the nightcap, then tied it...." "Roberto Clemente, first man up in the bottom half of the eighth, hit one of Lovenguth’s pitches over the [right-field] scoreboard for the game-winning homer."

_ Dec 12 __ Mays and Momen Make Some Noise

Back in Puerto Rico, Momen not only gets more playing time, he finally gets to meet – and play with – this guy Mays he's heard so much about, primarily from Santurce teammate – and erstwhile manager – Buster Clarkson.

"The league took a break from its pennant battle, December 12, to stage the annual 'Three Kings' all-star game at Mayaguez. All proceeds went into a YMCA fund to buy gifts for the island's poor children in keeping with the old Latin tradition of the Three Kings bringing gifts on January 6...The All-Star North team, made up of players from the Santurce and Mayaguez clubs, won the game, 7 to 5. Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente hit home runs for the winners."