Roberto Clemente makes “an impossible catch” in Pittsburgh’s doubleheader sweep of the Braves. So says manager Larry Shepard. The grab is described by Les Biederman in the Pittsburgh Press: “The one play that brought the fans up screaming was a Roberto Clemente fielding special. Mike Lum, the Chinese rookie outfielder, was the victim. Lum hit a shot off Steve Blass that was headed for the right field wall, near the 375-foot-mark. Clemente took off in pursuit and ran as hard and as fast as he could. Just as he approached the wall, Clemente reached up and caught the ball, still with his back to the diamond. He crashed into the wall, bruised his chin and fell down. He was stunned for a second but held the ball.”

On July 30, 1968 — Roberto Clemente makes “an impossible catch” in Pittsburgh’s doubleheader sweep of the Braves. So says manager Larry Shepard. The grab is described by Les Biederman in the Pittsburgh Press: “The one play that brought the fans up screaming was a Roberto Clemente fielding special. Mike Lum, the Chinese rookie outfielder, was the victim. Lum hit a shot off Steve Blass that was headed for the right field wall, near the 375-foot-mark. Clemente took off in pursuit and ran as hard and as fast as he could. Just as he approached the wall, Clemente reached up and caught the ball, still with his back to the diamond. He crashed into the wall, bruised his chin and fell down. He was stunned for a second but held the ball.”

 


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Sources:
Baseball Reference July 30
National Pastime July 30
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
SABR Games Project
Replay The Game