The Obligation to "Keep the Word" . . . Roberto Clemente,
            Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates

At 22 years of age and poised to emerge as one of the top pitchers in baseball, Dizzy Dean could afford to take a decidedly whimsical approach to contractual matters. The Cardinals, in need of Dean's pitching talents to repeat as National League champions, could not. As Dean soon learned, signing a contract is a serious undertaking. Hall-of-Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente learned the same lesson from words imparted by his mother. During his senior year of high school, 1953, nine major league baseball teams approached Clemente. After Clemente's graduation, the Brooklyn Dodgers offered him a bonus of $10,000 to sign a contract. It was one of the largest bonuses ever for a Latin ballplayer. Clemente told the Dodgers he would accept their offer. Less than a day later, the Milwaukee Braves offered Clemente a bonus of close to $40,000. Clemente turned to his mother for advice. His mother said sternly: "If you give the word, you keep the word." Clemente signed with the Dodgers, passing up the $40,000 bonus from Milwaukee. He kept the word.