The statue of former Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente (21) outside of PNC Park. Major League Baseball celebrates Roberto Clemente Day on this day each year in memory of Clemente who died when the plane he was in carrying supplies to aid humanitarian efforts to those who suffered in a Nicaraguan earthquake crashed on New Years Eve 1972. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Colorado Rockies Affiliate Takes Massive Shot at Pittsburgh Pirates Over Roberto Clemente Fiasco

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Apr 7, 2025 12:20 PM ET

This one is pretty layered, so let's follow along, bit by bit:

Roberto Clemente is one of the greatest players in baseball history. An 18-year veteran, he spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a 15-time All-Star, a 12-time Gold Glover, a four-time batting champion, a two-time World Series champion and an MVP. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.

Also a great humanitarian, he died in 1972 while on a relief mission to Nicaragua.

Each year, Major League Baseball honors Roberto Clemente on Sept. 15 with "Roberto Clemente Day."

Well, this weekend, the Pirates caught major grief for removing the Clemente tribute sign in right field and covering it with an advertisement.

Just realized they replaced the Clemente logo on the right field wall with a Surfside ad pic.twitter.com/Hz8qUBy6Sp
— Pittsburgh Clothing Co. (@PGHClothingCo) April 5, 2025

Roberto Clemente Jr. released a statement, bashing the Pirates for doing this without consultation.

Roberto Clemente Jr. released a statement regarding the removal of the Clemente 21 tribute sign at PNC Park.

(Via: @RClementejr21) https://t.co/Z5kcMyY7WD pic.twitter.com/3pjWhutsEC
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 6, 2025

And now the Pirates will put the Clemente sign back:

JUST IN: The Pirates will restore a sign honoring franchise icon Roberto Clemente to the right field wall following fan backlash at its removal.
https://t.co/sTEzPaPYz4
— KDKA (@KDKA) April 6, 2025

Now that you're all caught up, you're wondering, 'what does this have to do with Minor League Baseball?"

Well, the Hartford Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, elected to take a shot at the Pirates on social media, posting a picture of their own Clemente tribute with the following caption:

In 2017, we retired Roberto Clemente’s #21 at Dunkin’ Park, with a large sign in the outfield. It’s still there today. It’ll be there tomorrow. Always.

In 2017, we retired Roberto Clemente’s #21 at Dunkin’ Park, with a large sign in the outfield. It’s still there today. It’ll be there tomorrow. Always. pic.twitter.com/Odu6yIfZGN
— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) April 7, 2025

In addition to the Yard Goats, all other Pirates affiliates have retired No. 21. No player in the Pirates organization will ever wear that number again.

This article first appeared on Minor League Baseball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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