1959 Topps 478 Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente joined Major League Baseball at the age of 20 in the year 1955. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in November 1954. Born in 1934 in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he would first begin his professional career on his native island where he played in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League.

Clemente would spend 18 years in the MLB ranks (1955-1972). His entire career was played with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was quite successful. He earned the Most Valuable Player Award for the National League in the year 1966, was voted to the All-Star Game 12 times and won that many Gold Glove Awards. Four seasons he had the league’s best batting average.

Clemente worked with a number of charity organizations throughout various Latin American countries and Puerto Rico. He delivered food and baseball equipment. He would later die in an airplane crash while attempting to deliver food to help earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

As a Latin baseball player in Major League Baseball, Clemente was responsible for many of the league’s firsts. He was the first Latino player to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, to start in the World Series, win the World Series MVP and league MVP award.

A Roberto Clemente baseball card is a great one to have in one’s collection. Many hobbyists would love to have a Roberto Clemente baseball card and other baseball cards featuring many of the game’s best players. Trading cards are fun to get involved with even if you have a small budget. To get a good baseball card at cheaper prices, check at auction sites and be willing to purchase those that are not in mint condition.

Find deals for PSA graded cards on eBay