Blog, Press Releases

Meyzeek Middle School students to visit museum for education and service

LOUISVILLE, KY. (Aug. 31, 2015) – Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory will join Major League Baseball in celebrating Roberto Clemente Day on Wednesday, Sept. 16, for a day of service and education.

Students from Meyzeek Middle School, part of the Family & School Services program through Family & Children’s Place, will visit the museum after school that day. In addition to a museum and factory tour, the students will learn about Clemente and his legacy of giving. Each student will receive a special Louisville Slugger mini bat that features Clemente’s signature on the barrel.

The students also will help museum employees send sporting equipment to Clemente’s home country of Puerto Rico.

A special display in the museum’s main gallery that week will contain an authentic, game-used Clemente bat and his original, signed Louisville Slugger contract. Clemente, a former Pittsburgh Pirates star, used the bat during the 1970 season. The U1 model bat is 36 inches long and weighs 35.5 ounces, and is one of the significant treasures in the museum’s collection. Clemente signed a contract with Louisville Slugger as a minor leaguer in 1954, and went on to make his Major League debut the next spring.

Clemente, a 12-time All-Star and four-time National League batting champion, was the first Latin American player to receive the World Series Most Valuable Player Award, as well as the first Latin American player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The humanitarian tragically died on Dec. 31, 1972, on his way to Nicaragua to deliver supplies to earthquake victims.

Beginning in 1973, MLB has annually presented the Roberto Clemente Award to a player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team. Past winners include Tony Gwynn, Willie Mays, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Kirby Puckett, as well as current Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. Each of the 30 MLB teams will announce their Roberto Clemente Award candidate on Sept. 16, with the winner honored during the World Series.

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About Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory:
Experience history-in-the-making as you stroll through the factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger bats are created. Award-winning factory tour, newly renovated galleries with interactive exhibits, historic memorabilia, the World’s Biggest Bat, and more. Create a Louisville Slugger bat with your very own name on it, just like the pros. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, 800 West Main Street, is open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (60+), 7 children (6-12), and free for children 5 and under.  For more information, log on to sluggermuseum.com  or call 502-588-7228.

 About Family & Children’s Place:
Family & Children’s Place protects Kentuckiana children, families and communities from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and helps move them from hurting to healing.  We serve nearly 5,000 children and families annually through trauma-informed and impact-evident services.  For more information about Family and Children’s Place, visit www.famchildplace.org or call 502-893-3900.