Just in time for spring training, residents of the John Kane Center in Glen Hazel had an opportunity to reflect on the baseball career and life of Pittsburgh Pirates legendary right fielder Roberto Clemente.

Actor and scriptwriter Gregory Gibson Kenney of Educate Us Productions performed “Roberto: A Chat with an Angel” at Glen Hazel on March 9. Residents and staff watched as Kenney guided them on a journey from Roberto’s childhood through his Hall of Fame career with the Pirates. Clemente had 3,000 hits and was a key part of two Pirates World Series Championship teams in 1960 and 1971. He died in a plane crash while attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua on New Year’s Eve in 1972.

“Roberto Clemente is one of the most recognizable sports heroes in Pittsburgh history, so our residents really enjoyed seeing a performance that highlighted Roberto’s life and baseball career,” said Kathi Lindsley, Therapeutic Recreation Manager at Kane Glen Hazel. “With Major League Baseball’s opening day just a few weeks away, this also was a way to get our Pirates fans into the spirit of the upcoming season.”

Kenney’s performances present historical figures with all of the trials, goals and achievements of that individual’s life in a theatrical setting. Some of his other sports-related performances have focused on former Pirates great Willie “Pops” Stargell, Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s.

The Roberto Clemente performance has become so popular that it has been included in the annual PirateFest since 1999.

For more information, contact Kathi Lindsley, Therapeutic Recreation Manager at Kane Glen Hazel, at 412.422.6919.

---