Long before everything was considered memorabilia, an old file cabinet containing papers from Roberto Clemente’s baseball life helped launch one collector’s museum.
It’s hard to overestimate the impact Roberto Clemente had on fans in Pittsburgh during the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. One fan became a Clemente collector and his accumulation of material so large and important it was worth starting a mini museum.
Duane Rieder did just that, opening it by appointment after finding the space and framing hundreds of pieces he felt were worthy of display. He’s got game-worn Clemente spikes and jerseys–and the Clemente family’s blessing.
It’s not a place you can just walk in and start looking around, but one St. Louis writer, accompanied by a Cardinal pitcher, got a tour and came away impressed with the effort.
