Steve Blass was a teammate of Roberto Clemente from 1964 through 1972. Following Clemente’s death on December 31, 1972, Blass read the eulogy below at a memorial service for Clemente held in Puerto Rico on January 4, 1973.
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We’ve been to the wars together
We took our foes as they came,
And always you were the leader,
And ever you played the game.
Idol of cheering multitudes;
Records are yours by sheaves
Iron of frame they hailed you:
Decked you with laurel leaves.
But higher than we hold you;
We who have known you best,
Knowing the way you came through
Every human test.
Let this be a silent token
Of lasting friendships gleam,
And all that we’ve left unspoken—
Your friends on the Pirates team.
