MLB Short Film Unveils Roberto Clemente Mural

MLB Short Film Unveils Roberto Clemente Mural belatina latine
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A new MLB original short film titled “Clemente x Siempre” details the creation of an extraordinary mural, “Héroe Latino,” featuring Puerto Rican professional baseball right fielder Roberto Clemente. 

The artists behind the work are Don Rimx and Carlitos Skills. In the video, you see the creators at work while learning a little bit about how Clemente continues to inspire the Latino community 50 years after his tragic passing. 

“Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on earth” – one of the many quotes from Roberto Clemente that inspired the Latino community in a way that no other athlete had before.

Who was Roberto Clemente?

Roberto Clemente was born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico where he started out as a minor and professional league player. He was later drafted into the Dodgers’ Minor League affiliate in Montreal, and then eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Off the field, Clemente hosted baseball clinics for underprivileged children in his hometown of Carolina, Puerto Rico. He saw baseball as a better way of life for many of the children in his community. 

Fifty years ago, Clemente tragically passed away from a plane accident on his way to Nicaragua to help with recovery from an earthquake. He lived until the young age of 38, but the impact he left on and off the baseball field has carried on for generations –  and will continue to carry on for many more.  

The muralists behind ‘Héroe Latino’

David Sepulveda (Don Rimx) and Carlos Alexis Rivera (Carlitos Skills) are well known for painting murals all across the United States. The MLB commissioned them to create a mural for the 50th anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s passing.

“To this day, Roberto Clemente is still impacting Puerto Rico and the world, he is the motivation behind many things.” said Sepulveda. “When you see the artwork for the first time, we made it so you don’t see the number 21 so quickly, you have to take your time observing the piece.”

The artists discussed their personal artistic journeys that led up to the creation of “Héroe Latino” in the MLB original. The short film also features never before seen footage of the Afro-Latino Hall of Famer.

The short film was shown at the Pirates vs Mets game on September 15th to kick off the evening. The date also marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Clemente’s impact is immeasurable and his accomplishments still live on through other artists who share Clemente’s message through their work.

“Héroe Latino” will be auctioned with proceeds going to the “Roberto Clemente Foundation,”  an organization dedicated to improving communities through community outreach, summer camps, and more. 

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