Lot # 2664: 1961 Roberto Clemente, George Sisler, Bob Friend, and Don Hoak Original Photograph PSA/DNA Type I

Original photo featuring Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and George Sisler at a baseball clinic in Clemente's native Puerto Rico in early 1961. Encapsulated and certified as an original Type I photo by PSA/DNA. Members of the Pittsburgh Pirates hosted a series of clinics in the offseason in Puerto Rico. Alongside Clemente and Sisler (who was employed by the team as a roving hitting instructor), other people from the organization pictured include Bob Friend and Don Hoak, along with the club's director of scouting, Rex Bowen. This photo is significant and interesting for multiple reasons. First, Type I photos of Clemente are relatively uncommon, especially ones of him in Puerto Rico. Second, the photo dates to the offseason directly after the Pirates won the 1960 World Series. Finally, while the other members of the Pirates are donning the team's uniform, Clemente is instead wearing his Senadores de San Juan uniform (Clemente played with the Puerto Rican Winter League club during several Major League offseasons). The reverse displays editorial notations identifying the individuals in the photo, a news caption with a "Feb 8 1961" date stamp, and a "Sporting News Collection" hologram label. The photo, which has been trimmed to its current dimensions of 5.25 x 8 inches, displays scattered creasing and is in Good condition overall.