Amazing Clemente comes to life through regional history exhibit

A photographer scheduled to fly on the doomed plane was spared because of the "Immaculate Reception."
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Roberto Clemente smashed a few batting helmets in his day -- 22 alone in his rookie year.
Clemente's very human temper might surprise people who have known only the myth of the graceful Hall of Fame right-fielder and humanitarian.
But visitors can view an exhibit showcasing both Clemente's public and private sides at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum that opened in advance of next week's Major League Baseball All-Star game. The exhibit, part of the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, features relics including one of Clemente's cracked helmets and photos by former Pirates photographer Les Banos, whose images helped shape the Clemente myth.
Pictures never public
Many of the pictures have never been publicly displayed. They include shots of Clemente teaching his youngest son, Enrique, to bat at a father-son game; portraits of Clemente and his wife, Vera, and photos from inside the locker room as the 1971 Pirates celebrate their World Series victory.
A legend in Pittsburgh as well as his native Puerto Rico, Clemente played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for his entire career, from 1955 until he died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while attempting to take relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
"People are beginning to study Latin athletes and the pipeline north," said Anne Madarasz, director of the Sports Museum. "It just seems like it's the right time to re-examine his life and legacy."
Also on display is an interactive digital exhibit about Clemente developed by the Smithsonian Institution.
Known on the field for his spectacular defense and his penchant for winning batting titles, Clemente devoted much of his off-field time to humanitarian efforts.
Reflective moments
The photos by Banos, dating from 1969 to 1972, show Clemente with friends and family and at quieter, almost reflective moments on the field.
The images are all the more poignant because Banos was a close friend of Clemente's and narrowly missed being on the rickety, overloaded plane that cost Clemente his life. Both immigrants also were often harassed for their accents and shared a sense of wonder and frustration with their adopted country, Banos said.
"You don't make too many friends in your life, you have lots of acquaintances, but they're not necessarily friends," Banos said. "But with Roberto, we have no secrets from each other. ... When he died, part of me died, believe me."
The two had planned to deliver the supplies together. Clemente had hoped his friend's photos might help drum up support for the earthquake victims. But Banos, who also made videos for the Pittsburgh Steelers, had to cancel at the last minute when former Steelers running back Franco Harris made his "immaculate reception," which advanced the Steelers to the AFC Championship.
Banos had told Clemente he could go because there was no way the Steelers would win and play the next weekend.
"I have a plane all ready. I have the stuff ready, I will go," Banos recalls Clemente telling him. "I'll be back, and then we'll celebrate New Year's together."
Banos never saw his friend again.
Purpose
Besides the Clemente exhibit, the Sports Museum hopes to take advantage of the fanfare to remind baseball fans of some of the greats that preceded today's sluggers.
Monday, the museum will host a question-and-answer session with former Negro League players, who will be available for one-on-one chats afterward. Banos will also be on hand to sign copies of his photos. And David Maraniss, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of "Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball Last Hero" will be signing copies of his book.
The History Center will also make available a hands-on exhibit from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., which shows how baseball uniforms and equipment have changed over the years. Visitors can hold bats from the turn of the century and feel how much more they weigh than the those used today, or try on the polyester blends today's players wear compared to the heavy wool uniforms worn by athletes at the turn of the century.
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