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Posted By: Bill Zimpleman

In the early 1960's my grandfather was in the hospital for an operation. That same day Roberto Clemente ran into the outfield wall at Forbes Field and was hospitalized at the same hospital. While visiting my grandfather I asked if it would be possible to look in on Roberto who was right down the hall. The nurse asked his permission and I spent about five minutes talking to him and his wife and mother-in-law. It wasn't easy to understand him but he mentioned how nervous he was listening to the game on the radio. I left the room then it dawned on me to get his autograph. All I had was a sales slip from the gift shop so he autographed the back of the slip. It was one of the few players autographs I have ever asked for. A number of years ago Joe Palez told me how much of a fan he was of Roberto so I gave him the autograph.