Pittsburgh City Council advanced legislation to rename Oakland’s Roberto Clemente Drive to also honor his late wife Vera, and the proposal could be finalized as soon as next week.
The street between South Bouquet Street and Schenley Drive, which passes what remains of the Forbes Field outfield wall, would be renamed Roberto and Vera Clemente Drive.
Roberto Clemente was a Hall of Fame outfielder for the Pirates who also is remembered for his philanthropic work off the field. He died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while traveling to Nicaragua to deliver aid to earthquake victims.
Vera Clemente, who died in November 2019 at 78, carried on her husband’s charitable legacy after his death. She served as chairwoman of the Roberto Clemente Foundation and traveled on behalf of Major League Baseball as a Goodwill Ambassador.
The Clemente family asked the city to rename the street to also honor Vera Clemente, according to James Hill, special assistant to Mayor Bill Peduto. Roberto and Vera Clemente are survived by sons Roberto Jr., Luis and Roberto Enrique.
Council members unanimously recommended the proposed legislation Tuesday with no discussion. They could hold a final vote on the measure as early as next week.
