Clemente was not only an extraordinary baseball player – named the National League MVP in 1966 and the World Series MVP in 1971 – but is also remembered for his spirit of philanthropy.  A hero in his homeland of Puerto Rico, Clemente would often deliver food and baseball supplies to his homeland and surrounding Latin nations.  After his tragic death in a plane crash, his dream of establishing a healthy environment in which young children could learn and practice sports was made a reality by the Puerto Rican government, which  donated 304 acres of land to the development of a sport complex  named the Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente (or the Roberto Clemente Sports City) in his honor.

In the spirit of Clemente, Health Plus rewarded a young baseball fan, Richard Matos, with the opportunity to experience the thrill of running through the bases of the ballpark, which overlooks the Verrazano Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.  Police Officer Paul Velez, from the 122nd Precinct of Staten Island, was given the opportunity to throw the opening pitch of the night.