March 15, 2013

The original ESPN Deportes film on Roberto Clemente to re-air on ESPN Deportes, ESPN Classic and ESPN 2

The Clemente Effect will re-air on several ESPN networks starting this Saturday, March 16 on ESPN Deportes at 4:30 p.m. ET.

The feature-length documentary chronicles the life and accomplishments of Roberto Clemente, from his humble upbringing in Puerto Rico to becoming the National League Most Valuable Player in 1966 and a World Series hero for the Pirates in 1960 and 1971. Along the way, Clemente encountered and overcame many challenges, which inspired him to become an advocate for Latino players’ rights and a great humanitarian.

Director Mario Diaz (HBO’s Bazooka: The Battles of Wilfredo Gómez) takes The Clemente Effect one step further and explores how his legacy has fared in the last 40 years, focusing on his legacy in Pittsburgh, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico, where Clemente’s dream of creating a Sports City became a reality for some time.

The original footage is paired with present day interviews of family, close friends and baseball stars such as Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, two-time American League MVP Juan González, three-time All-Star Carlos Baerga, 2003 AL RBI Champion Carlos Delgado, 2007 World Series Champion Alex Cora, Pittsburgh Pirates teammate Steve Blass, and 2012 No.1 overall pick Carlos Correa.

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