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The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball history. The team has five World Series victories and nine National League pennants to its name. But lately, it has fallen on hard times.
After a crushing loss to the Atlanta Braves in the 1992 NLCS, the Pirates went 20 years without having another winning season, including some truly dismal years.
Then, manager Clint Hurdle and the 2013 Pirates showed up and broke the streak. However, Hurdle recently revealed that it was Roberto Clemente’s wife, Vera, who deserves the credit.
I kept this story in my pocket for a long time….
In Pittsburgh, September 15th is Roberto Clemente Day.
Every year the whole organization fans out across the city. It’s like Christmas. Roberto’s family is there, Vera and the boys.
My first year as manager was 2011. We… pic.twitter.com/xpL3YtVtpa
— Clint Hurdle (@ClintHurdle13) May 14, 2026
Vera Clemente Sparked Pittsburgh Pirates Turnaround With Clear Message
Every year, on Sept. 15, the city of Pittsburgh celebrates Roberto Clemente Day, which honors the legendary outfielder who died in a plane crash in 1972 at the age of 38.
Clemente’s family, including his widow, Vera, and his three sons, all attend the game.
According to Hurdle, during Roberto Clemente Day in 2012, Vera approached him and noted that 2013 would be 20 straight losing seasons for the franchise. One more would be 21, which was Clemente’s famed number.
That didn’t fly in her book.
“We went into the dugout. Me, Vera, and her three sons. She spoke in Spanish,” Hurdle posted on X. “I “played four years of winter ball, so I understood enough
She wasn’t angry, but she was passionate. And I kept hearing Roberto’s number come up. Roberto Jr. translated.
“‘My mother wants you to know that there cannot be a 21st losing season. That was Roberto’s number. It would be a disgrace to his legacy.’
“She was staring right at me. Before I could even think about what to say, words came out of my mouth: ‘I promise you, Vera. That won’t happen.'”
Clemente’s son then told Hurdle that he had made his mother a promise and that he hoped the manager could keep it.
Sure enough, in 2013, the Pirates turned things around. They went 94-78, the organization’s best record in decades, before falling to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.
That was the first of three straight playoff appearances for Pittsburgh, and Hurdle spent nine seasons managing the team before being relieved of his duties in 2019.
Now, the Pirates are yet again in a playoff slump, with no winning seasons since 2018. However, led by superstar pitcher Paul Skenes and top prospect Bubba Chandler, the team is off to a 23-20 start this season, and perhaps a return to the playoffs is in order.