Season 3 starts with Nick Swisher

PITTSBURGH – In July, 2021, the Pittsburgh Pirates commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1971 World Series championship at PNC Park. In that seven-game series, Roberto Clemente and Co. defeated the heavily favored defending champion Baltimore Orioles.

With future Baseball Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski and an eclectic lineup of impactful players, this extraordinary team will forever play an integral part in the history of this storied franchise.

Last year, I traveled to PNC Park to conduct interviews for a future Talkin’ 21 episode. Only 10 players from the 1971 championship team  attended for the pregame festivities. Along with my one-on-one conversations with Manny Sanguillén, Dave Cash and Gene Alley, I truly enjoyed listening to the affable Steve Blass share a hilarious story about Roberto Clemente, and former All-Star Al “Scoop” Oliver reminiscing about an unannounced visit by Muhammad Ali. 

Standing in front of his locker, the late Dock Ellis was mimicking the fancy footwork of “The Greatest.” He taunted Ali, who connected a rapid fire jab to Ellis’s chest. From Oliver, it took everyone by surprise, and laughter permeated throughout the clubhouse.

Now one year later, I returned to the “City of Bridges.” Coincidentally the Yankees were the visiting team against the Buccos at PNC Park. Older Yinzers (a distinct term used to identify residents of Pittsburgh) still reflect on what occurred in another memorable World Series game in 1960. It was the Pirates who surprisingly defeated the Yankees 10-9 in a historic Game 7 and an unbelievable ninth-inning homer by Bill Mazeroski.

Honoring Clemente

Throughout the remaining months of the 2022 season, which also marks the 50th anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s tragic passing on New Year’s Eve in 1972, the Talkin’ 21 podcast team (part of the Our Esquina Podcast network) will travel to various ballparks throughout the league to interview current/former MLB players.

Numerous Major League Baseball players, managers, coaches, Baseball Hall of Famers and sports media personalities have shared their personal insights on how Roberto Clemente made an impact on their lives. Those brief interviews will be posted on the Talkin’ 21 podcast social media platforms.

In Season 2, Pirates manager Derek Shelton was a featured guest on Talkin’ 21 and described what Clemente means to the city of Pittsburgh:

“If you come to Pittsburgh, the Pirates are black and gold,” he said. “There’s only one 21. When you see the No. 21 it’s Roberto. I think that legacy is something you have to live and breathe, and I have so much respect for it now.”

Nick Swisher joins podcast

This week, coinciding with the Yankees/Pirates series, the Talkin’ 21 podcast released its latest episode with former Yankees switch-hitting right-fielder and 2009 World Series champion Nick Swisher.

 

As a devoted husband and father, he spoke passionately about the game of baseball and how Roberto Clemente’s legacy should be emulated in all walks of life. He has evolved into an unofficial ambassador for Major League Baseball and fully supports the globalization of baseball.

Using his platform as a former professional athlete, he has already demonstrated, in the spirit of Roberto Clemente, a philanthropic side by participating in various fundraisers.

On Friday, July 29, 2022, Swisher will host a celebrity golf tournament at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Southern California to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Twitter: @Talkin21podcast
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