Clemente

by David Maranis

Genres: Baseball

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Angie Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about early Latino baseball players and more specifically Robert Clemente's influence for good against racism. For someone that likes baseball but doesn't know baseball lingo, the book was not the most enjoyable. The heart of the story got bogged down with dense baseball statistics. I wish the author had stuck to stories about Clemente and left out the name dropping and statistics.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always want to learn more about the iconic players But this one got bogged down in too much detail for me. The author's style simply didn't engage me, as exhausting as his research was.

[Dale Bentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, the extra detail provided by the author was a welcome addition, providing valuable context for the life and times of the iconic Clemente. The insight into Clemente's humanity is invaluable, leaving the reader wanting to know even more of this baseball star's philosophy and life view.

[David S · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Maraniss’s biography, Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero, is the story of Roberto Clemente who is considered one of the best baseball players of all time. On the field, he was one of the greatest outfielders in baseball history. Off the field, he was even a better man. Besides baseball, Clemente was a devoted family man and humanitarian. He worked to help those in need like the sick and less fortunate. He was a hero in the true sense of the word. He gave back as much as he got in life. Clemente paved the way for Latinos in Major League Baseball for years to come. He believed that if you had the ability to help others, it was your duty to do so. Willie Stargell noted how Clememte helped “other people without seeking any publicity or fame” (349). His life was the ultimate story of an American hero. In fact, he died in a plane crash delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
I truly enjoyed this biography. It is so easy to read in chronological order from Clemente’s birth and childhood through his baseball career and ending with his heroic death. The photographs were great, too. Maraniss is very descriptive and makes the reader feel that they are actually at a ball game. The description of how Clemente entered the batting box is especially great. He describes his batting ritual as “regal” (188). The reader can visualize “as he approached the plate, he would rotate his neck from side to side, then twist it back, so many kinks to unloosen” (188). Along with baseball fans, readers who like American history will also like this biography. Clemente faced a lot of the same racism as African- Americans in the 1960’s. Maraniss writes, “He often connected his own history to the struggle of his people” (162). I can only hope to be like Clemente someday; a great man and humanitarian.

[Travis Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clemente

Clemente was about the famous baseball player named Roberto Clemente. He grew up in rural Puerto Rico. Roberto excelled at baseball from a young age and wanted to pursue it for a career. At the time, there weren’t any African Americans or Latin Americans in any form of organized baseball in the United States. Roberto had to work twice as hard to be recognized. He is now known as the greatest Latin baseball player of all time. He was known for his statistics and his all-around game, but he died for his character and his true self. He lived for more than baseball. Roberto Clemente had both grade A baseball skills and a grade a character.
I thought the book Clemente was very good. It explained how he grew up and the challenges he faced. It shows that through effort and with heart anything you want you can accomplish. It reminded me of working hard at sports and accomplishing goals that you set for yourself. It was a very inspirational book and I am glad that I read it.
I think that everybody looking for a good inspirational biography should read this book. You will glad that you did. If you play baseball and are looking for more information on Roberto Clemente this will help you realize that even when you feel like giving up remember you haven’t had as much to deal with as Roberto had.

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roberto Clemente was a baseball hero of mine in the long ago days when I played Little League. As I read this book I was impressed by how thoroughly the author was able to convey a life story as opposed to some heroic form of bookish worship. The life that Roberto Clemente led outside of baseball was just as worthy of idolatry as his baseball exploits as David Maranis is able to show. I learned a great deal about the "other" side of a great man in reading this excellent book.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read about one of the best that ever played the game. After traveling to Puerto Rico and seeing his memorial, I was eager to learn more about him. Even after all these years Puerto Ricans told us how they felt that fateful night and how they went down to the beach just to be near their hero the night he died.

[Victoria Pickering]

This book is a phenomenal story of one of the great players and humanitarians of baseball. Maranis brings a unique perspective to the man, coming from a background that is not primarily in sports writing.

[George Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Maranis' 2006 book is an excellent account of the fascinating Roberta Clemente. A baseball player well remembered in Pittsburgh. I was not aware of the details surrounding Clemente's death in that plane crash.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about hall of fame baseball player, Roberto Clamente

[Luigib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maranis' second best book. (When Pride Mattered is first)

[David Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful!!!