“Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on earth.”

Go back before #21 became synonymous with greatness. Before he showed off his cannon for an arm in the 1971 World Series. Before he broke records in Pittsburgh and won the hearts of a city. Before the dozen Gold Gloves, the 15 All-Star games, the four batting titles, and the 1966 National League MVP award. Before he ever trotted to right field at Forbes Field for the first time in 1955, as a promising 5-tool rookie.

That’s where you’ll find the heart of Puerto Rico.

Roberto Clemente, the pride of a country, standing as a teenage phenom at the plate in Sixto Escobar Stadium in San Juan, ready to show the world he was ready. While playing for the famed Cangrejeros de Santurce from 1952-1955, Clemente began his rise as a national icon. Through his passion you can trace the hallmarks of greatness. These roots run deep in Puerto Rico, and they connect the game of baseball to one of its most beloved figures.

The kid from San Anton, Carolina. “The Great One.” The Orgullo de Puerto Rico.

One of the best to ever do it.

“They said you’d really have to be something to be like Babe Ruth,” Clemente said. “But Babe Ruth was an American player. What we needed was a Puerto Rican player they could say that about, someone to look up to and try to equal.”

They’ll forever be looking up, #21, but they will never find an equal.

As part the ROF x StayMe7o collaboration with Carmelo Anthony, we are throwing back to Roberto Clemente’s roots with this new capsule!