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Roberto Clemente
(b. August 18, 1934 - d. December 31, 1972)
Roberto Clemente won four NL batting titles and also possessed one of the strongest outfield arms in baseball history. Intensely proud of his Puerto Rican heritage, it was not until the 1971 World Series, when Clemente led Pittsburgh to victory with a .414 average, the he began to receive his due. In 13 of his 18 seasons he hit .300 or better, topping the .350 mark three times. On New Year's Eve, 1972, Clemente died in a plane crash bringing supplies to earthquake-ravaged Nicaragua. The normal five-year waiting period was waived, and in 1973 Clemente became the first Hispanic elected to the Hall of Fame.
 
Inducted in 1973
 
 
1965 Topps Bob Clemente #160 PSA 8 NM-MT
     
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Comments: The 1965 Topps Clemente was one of the first five portraits I every purchased - picking up an ungraded example of the card sometime in the mid-1990s. Early on, it was one of my favorite cards after looking through dozens of different HOF cards - loved the pink footer and yellow banner. Looking through my records, I must have had it graded at some point (PSA 8 OC). I eventually sold the card in June, 1999 after upgrading to this one:

UPDATE: In July, 2004 I purchased a GAI 8.5 example, but sold it later in November, 2004 when I got a little scared off owning anything GAI. They were known to slab trimmed cards. I would love to own a PSA 9 version of this card someday.

UPDATE: I wasn't really happy with the PSA 8 shown above (Cert #06022317). The centering was off on the front - 65/35 top to bottom, and the reverse was much worse. The color was a little faded (front and back) and the corners were also a little soft for a "8". In November 2023, a beautiful centered example popped up on eBay courtesy of Steven Novella. It was a gorgeous card and I decided to bid agressively. My last second snipe held up and I won it. Once in hand I couldn't be happier. The color is great and the card really pops as high-end. Beautiful upgrade!!!
   
Card Details Below:  
Year(s): 1965
ACC Set Designation:
Set Name: Topps
Country: United States
Description:
 
Example 1965 Topps 5-Cent Display Box
Example 1965 Topps 1-Cent Wax Pack
Example 1965 Topps Series 3 Wax Pack