Heroes and Icons with Greg Randolph and special guest Art Howe

GR: So in those early days in Pittsburgh, what were some teams or players that you followed that you tried to emulate or idolize at that time?

AH: My hero is Roberto Clemente.

GR: Sure.

AH: When you grew up in Pittsburgh, in those years, he was the most outstanding player. And I went to a game early on when I was still a teenager to see him play; not only him but the team, the Pirates, but he made a catch in right field. There's bases loaded and one out. . And I recall him, and at that time, I don't know if anybody knew how great his arm was. He caught it over the shoulder. He was going towards the warning track. Caught it over the shoulder, spun around, and the guy on third was Richie Ashburn, who could run. Seed to the plate. Perfect throw. Bang. Got him. Double play to end the inning. And that's when I said, wow, this guy's special , just to see his defense all the way from the warning track. All the way from the warning track, spun around and just fired a BB to the plate.

AH: And Richie Ashburn got up, like “what happened?” That was something I'll always remember, that play. And from that time forward, I always idolized Roberto. Plus he was an outstanding hitter. When I actually did get called up my first year in the off season and when we were finished in the minor leagues, since I lived in Pittsburgh, they let me come to batting practice before a few games. And I'd take ground balls at third base and Clemente, him and Willie Stargell. They swung 36s.

GR: That's like a Bob Watson bat, right?

AH: Yep. It's a Bob Watson bat. Exactly. And it was a different sound when they hit the ball. And I remember it had rained a little bit before we took batting practice and on the AstroTurf that was new to everybody really at that point. And Clemente , he hit a rocket down to me like a one hopper and it hydroplaned off that.

GR: Oh no.

AH: And it hit my wrist and it had the commissioner's name on my wrist. And I remember the coach hitting me ground balls, said hey son, you better go into the outfield before you get yourself hurt . I said, I'm going!