1960 – Branch Rickey once again rewrites the history of his involvement with Roberto Clemente. Just as he did in the March 20, 1957 issue of The Sporting News, in the wake of Clemente’s dramatically improved sophomore season, the one-time Pirate GM once again proves an unreliable witness with regard to the level of his involvement in Pittsburgh’s acquisition of its emerging superstar. Rickey is quoted by the Baltimore Afro-American as follows: “I was with the Dodgers when we acquired Clemente after scouting him in Puerto Rico.” In fact, Rickey was long gone from Brooklyn and safely ensconced in Pittsburgh long before Clemente was seen, much less signed. Having left Brooklyn after the 1950 season, Rickey was promptly picked up by Pittsburgh, where he labored for five years. Clemente, by contrast, was discovered in Puerto Rico by the Dodgers’ Al Campanis in August 1952 and signed with Brooklyn on February 19, 1954. Rickey continues: “So I was thoroughly acquainted with the boy when the major league draft came up in the winter of 1954, after I had come to Pittsburgh from Brooklyn.” In point of fact, Rickey’s only acquaintance with Clemente as of the 1954 Winter Meetings came second-hand, via rave reviews from his staff, chief among them Clyde Sukeforth.

This Day In Baseball

On October 8, 1960 — 1960 – Branch Rickey once again rewrites the history of his involvement with Roberto Clemente. Just as he did in the March 20, 1957 issue of The Sporting News, in the wake of Clemente’s dramatically improved sophomore season, the one-time Pirate GM once again proves an unreliable witness with regard to the level of his involvement in Pittsburgh’s acquisition of its emerging superstar. Rickey is quoted by the Baltimore Afro-American as follows: “I was with the Dodgers when we acquired Clemente after scouting him in Puerto Rico.” In fact, Rickey was long gone from Brooklyn and safely ensconced in Pittsburgh long before Clemente was seen, much less signed. Having left Brooklyn after the 1950 season, Rickey was promptly picked up by Pittsburgh, where he labored for five years. Clemente, by contrast, was discovered in Puerto Rico by the Dodgers’ Al Campanis in August 1952 and signed with Brooklyn on February 19, 1954. Rickey continues: “So I was thoroughly acquainted with the boy when the major league draft came up in the winter of 1954, after I had come to Pittsburgh from Brooklyn.” In point of fact, Rickey’s only acquaintance with Clemente as of the 1954 Winter Meetings came second-hand, via rave reviews from his staff, chief among them Clyde Sukeforth.

 

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Sources:
Baseball Reference October 8
National Pastime October 8
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
SABR Games Project
Replay The Game