1966 – Roberto Clemente’s prodigious pre-season blast beats the still mediocre Mets, proving that his March 14th moon shot was no mirage. This has to make Harry Walker one happy camper, as the Pirate skipper had called for increased power numbers before the exhibition season began. According to UPI, “Clemente hit a tape-measure home run, estimated at 500 feet, over the center-field fence to crack the 5 – 5 tie in the 8th.” Thirty-some-odd years later, this vicious shot remains vividly etched in its victim’s consciousness. Darrell Sutherland recalls: “I threw a fastball a foot inside and he hit it on a dead line. It was still going up as it went over the center field fence.”
1966 – Roberto Clemente’s prodigious pre-season blast beats the still mediocre Mets, proving that his March 14th moon shot was no mirage. This has to make Harry Walker one happy camper, as the Pirate skipper had called for increased power numbers before the exhibition season began. According to UPI, “Clemente hit a tape-measure home run, estimated at 500 feet, over the center-field fence to crack the 5 – 5 tie in the 8th.” Thirty-some-odd years later, this vicious shot remains vividly etched in its victim’s consciousness. Darrell Sutherland recalls: “I threw a fastball a foot inside and he hit it on a dead line. It was still going up as it went over the center field fence.”