On December 31, 1972, Pittsburgh Pirates superstar Roberto Clemente dies in the crash of a four-engine plane over the Atlantic Ocean after taking off from the coast of Isla Verde. The 38-year-old Clemente was supervising the delivery of relief supplies to the earthquake victims of Managua, Nicaragua. The plane, a DC-7 that departed from San Juan Airport in Puerto Rico, crashed shortly after takeoff. In 18 major league seasons, Clemente batted .317, won the 1966 MVP, and led the Pirates to the World Championship in 1971. Shortly after his death, the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors votes to waive the usual five-year waiting period for Clemente, paving the way for his election to Cooperstown in 1973.

Manny Sanguillen will be the only Pirates player not to attend the memorial service, traveling to Puerto Rico to dive into the waters in an effort to recover his teammate’s body, which is never found.