By Mike Cantone
Roberto Clemente’s mural has returned to Azalea Park, as residents and elected officials celebrated an important milestone in restoring pride and honor to the community. The Azalea Park Little League field is one of the oldest little league fields in Florida at 53 years old, and sits adjacent to Azalea Park Elementary.
Several weeks ago, the original mural was vandalized when it was painted over with black paint. The incident caused significant public outrage and garnered widespread media coverage.
Frente Unido 436 (United Front 436) members were instrumental in demanding action and rallying the community. In fact, former president, Rico Piccard, was a proud supporter of Azalea Park and was always critical of the lack of attention the needs of this park received in the past. “Let’s keep Clemente’s Legacy alive,” said Zoraida Rios-Andino of Frente Unido 436. “We cannot allow anyone to dishonor his memory.”
Artist Héctor Nazario was flown back to Orlando to repaint the new Roberto Clemente mural. The Orange County History Center is setting up a booth with information about Clemente, based on the center’s recent exhibit on the baseball player. Azalea Park is 56% Hispanic, with Puerto Ricans comprising 63% of that, according to census figures.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined the Azalea Park community on Saturday as citizens welcomed a new mural honoring baseball legend Roberto Clemente at the historic Azalea Park Little League field. “We are so proud of the efforts of our community to come together and bring back what was lost,” said Mayor Jacobs at the event. “Roberto Clemente broke through barriers and was a man of honor and courage both on and off the field.”
Mayor Jacobs also proclaimed March 15, 2014 as Roberto Clemente and Azalea Park Little League Day in Orange County. Mayor Jacobs was joined by Orange County District 3 Commissioner Pete Clarke Commissioner, District 2 City of Orlando Commissioner Tony Ortiz, and other community leaders during her proclamation of March 15, 2014 as Roberto Clemente and Azalea Park Little League Day in Orange County.
Former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, who is currently running for Orange County Mayor, was also at the event. “Roberto Clemente was a man who broke down barriers to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but to those of us who have dedicated our lives to diversity and public service, he was so much more,” Demings said. “His contributions, both on and off the field, are his legacy. The mural at Azalea Park will inspire children to reach for their dreams.”
Clemente spent much of his life helping others, particularly, the children of his native Puerto Rico. He died tragically on December 31, 1972, while taking medical, food, and clothing supplies to earthquake stricken Nicaragua. Clemente’s dedication to community and assisting those in need is akin to Orange County’s culture of service and “neighbors helping neighbors.”
“Roberto Clemente remains an outstanding example of how we should strive to serve our neighbors. He broke through barriers and was a man of honor and courage both on and off the field,” Mayor Jacobs said.
But the mural is only one piece of the puzzle. The community still seeks results and progress.
“Let’s step up and demand that public officials put out for this park the way they put out our millions of tax dollars for downtown interests,” Zoraida Rios-Andino added. “It’s time to step up for our children, if we don’t, who will?”
