Roberto Clemente’s laser to left center, midway through a 4 – 2 loss to Cincinnati, reaches the wall with such dispatch, and caroms back so quickly to centerfielder Vada Pinson, that Clemente, fleetest afoot of all the 1963 Pirates, is held to a 400-foot single. The same centerfield barrier then interrupts the flight of Clemente himself, in the midst of an attempt to thwart Johnny Edwards’ extra-base bid. Instead, Clemente runs into the fence, the ball is jarred loose, and Edwards has a leadoff triple which will lead to a crucial insurance run for Cincy.

On June 13 1963, Roberto Clemente’s laser to left center, midway through a 4 – 2 loss to Cincinnati, reaches the wall with such dispatch, and caroms back so quickly to centerfielder Vada Pinson, that Clemente, fleetest afoot of all the 1963 Pirates, is held to a 400-foot single. The same centerfield barrier then interrupts the flight of…