On May 19, 1959 — In a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Bush Stadium, Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente injures his right elbow. Pittsburgh Press reporter Les Biederman writes: “The Puerto Rican lasted three innings last night as the Cardinals beat the Pirates, 8 – 2, retiring in favor of Roman Mejias after making an underhanded throw while pitcher Larry Jackson waltzed from first to third on an ordinary single in the 3rd inning. Clemente complained of pains in the right elbow in Chicago but X-rays taken there failed to reveal anything wrong. Clemente says he injured the arm making a sliding catch in Los Angeles and simply aggravated an old ailment.” Pittsburgh’s banged-up ball hawk will not return to the starting lineup until July 9th.

Clemente hitting .257 at the time will come back and raise his average to .296, after 1959, during the next 14 seasons, he will make 13 All Star teams, win 13 Gold Gloves, and have 8 top 10 MVP finishes including winning the MVP in 1966.

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