FL S1662

Requests that Major League Baseball retire jersey number 21 in honor of Roberto Clemente, who wore that number for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972.

Recognizes Clemente's baseball accomplishments including 3,000 hits, 4 National League batting titles, a .317 lifetime batting average, and 12 Gold Glove awards.

Highlights Clemente's role as a civil rights activist who confronted racism and language barriers, and persuaded the Pirates and Astros to postpone their opening day game in 1968 following Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination.

Notes Clemente died on December 31, 1972, in a plane crash while on a relief mission to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua, and was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.

Directs the Florida Senate to present a copy of this resolution to Major League Baseball and Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr.