Clemente was involved in charity work in Latin American and Caribbean countries during the off-seasons , often delivering baseball equipment and food to those in need . On December 31 , 1972 , he died in a plane crash while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua . He was 38 years old . The following season , the Pirates retired his uniform number 21 , and MLB renamed its annual Commissioner 's Award in his honor ; now known as the Roberto Clemente Award , it is given to the player who " best exemplifies the game of baseball , sportsmanship , community involvement and the individual 's contribution to his team "
plane crash
1972 Puerto Rico DC-7 crash
Roberto Clemente