Forever 21: Curve retire Clemente's number
The Altoona Curve -- the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate -- retired the number of one of Pittsburgh’s all-time greats: Roberto Clemente. The retirement ceremony took place ahead of Friday’s game against Reading. Altoona’s defeat to the Reading Fightin Phils, 4-1, barely put a damper on the day’s festivities. The Curve conducted
The Altoona Curve -- the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate -- retired the number of one of Pittsburgh’s all-time greats: Roberto Clemente.
The retirement ceremony took place ahead of Friday’s game against Reading. Altoona’s defeat to the Reading Fightin Phils, 4-1, barely put a damper on the day’s festivities.
The Curve conducted interviews with the Clemente family pregame, and while these stories were played on the videoboard, the Roberto Clemente Museum brought artifacts -- including game-worn jerseys and bat replicas -- for fans to view and touch.
“It's one of the heaviest bats that was ever used in the Majors,” Altoona general manager Nate Bowen said. “So that was cool that [fans] could actually see and touch something that was essentially a replica of what he used when he was playing.”
Altoona has been Pittsburgh’s Double-A affiliate since its inception in 1999. The organizational relationship with the Pirates, plus Altoona's proximity to the Steel City -- less than a two-hour drive -- added to the sentimentality of the event honoring one of baseball's legends.
The black and gold "21" is commemorated in right field of PNG Field, in front of the iconic Skyliner roller coaster.
“It took me back to when we unveiled the Clemente statue in 1994 [in Pittsburgh],” Roberto Clemente Jr. said. “Just kind of seeing and just waiting for that moment to see it was pretty cool.”
RCIII got tonight’s game underway! pic.twitter.com/3QvmoDLCPA
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) July 22, 2023
Though Clemente is an icon in both the Pirates' organization and Major League Baseball at-large, it was the ballplayers with Latin American roots that took to the promotion most.
“Really, the players on both teams that are from anywhere in Latin America have such a respect for Clemente, his whole family and his legacy,” Bowen said. “It's awesome to be able to see that now."
Since 2002, MLB has used Sept. 15 as Roberto Clemente Day, yet another way that the Hall of Famer is commemorated. Earlier this year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania established a holiday on the same day to honor the legendary Pirate.
In addition, the Roberto Clemente Award remains one of the most prestigious and respected awards baseball bestows. The award is given each year to the player who best exemplifies character and service on and off the field, traits which were part of Clemente's overall persona. Though the award has been presented since 1971, its name changed from the Commissioner’s Award shortly after Clemente’s tragic death in a plane crash while attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
“[Fans] believe that he was perhaps the first Latino superstar,” Clemente Jr. said. “But he was someone that represented us -- all of us.”
Melanie Heller is a contributor for MiLB.com.
RubberDucks announce New Additions to the Extreme Foods in 2025
(AKRON, OHIO) April 2, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the addition of three new items to the Extreme Food Menu for the 2025 season. The WONE Base on (Meat)Balls is hollowed out French Bread layered three times with spicy giardiniera marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and four meatballs topped with
RubberDucks announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
(AKRON, OHIO) February 12, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the 2025 promotional schedule presented by MCA of Akron/UA Local 219, which once again features a theme for all 69 regular season home games. The RubberDucks open the 2025 season at Canal Park on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:35 p.m.
July 23: Antunez has 3 hits, Gómez wins Akron debut in Harrisburg, 5-1
July 23, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (10-13, 53-38) 5, Harrisburg Senators (9-13, 43-48) 1 WP: Yorman Gómez (1-0) LP: Jake Bennett (0-1) Save: none Summary RubberDucks right-hander Yorman Gómez worked five innings to win his Double-A debut, while right fielder Wuilfredo Antunez doubled twice in
July 22: Bazzana and Genao hit 5 doubles, but walk-off Harrisburg homer beats Akron, 5-3
July 22, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Harrisburg Senators (9-12, 43-47), Akron RubberDucks (9-13, 52-38) 3 WP: Daison Acosta (3-1) LP: Zane Morehouse (0-3) Save: none Summary RubberDucks second baseman Travis Bazzana had three doubles, and shortstop Angel Genao drove him in twice with RBI doubles, but Harrisburg
July 20: Ducks avoid sweep with 9-2 win
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (9-12, 52-37) 9, Altoona Curve (13-8, 43-46) 2 WP: Davis Sharpe (4-4) LP: Wilber Dotel (3-6) Save: N/A Summary The Akron RubberDucks snapped their four-game losing streak with a 9-2 win over the Altoona Curve on Sunday night at Peoples Natural Gas
Rock Entertainment Sports Network to broadcast 15 Akron RubberDucks Games
(AKRON, OHIO) May 5, 2025 – The action of Akron RubberDucks baseball is coming to over-the-air and cable platforms this spring and summer, as Rock Entertainment Sports Network will broadcast 15 games featuring Cleveland Guardians prospects from Canal Park during the 2025 Eastern League season, beginning with Saturday, May 10,
RubberDucks games are live this season on iHeartMedia’s 640 WHLO
(AKRON, OHIO) April 3, 2025 – As the Akron RubberDucks open the 2025 Eastern League season in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday, April 4, their games will return to their radio home, NewsRadio 640 WHLO, continuing a longstanding partnership with iHeartMedia Akron/Canton. RubberDucks games will also be available to stream online
RubberDucks 2025 Single Game tickets are on sale now
(AKRON, OHIO) December 16, 2024 – Single game tickets are now on sale for all 69 Akron RubberDucks regular season home games from April 8-Sept. 7, 2025 at Canal Park. Fans can purchase single game tickets at akronrubberducks.com/tickets or by calling 855-97-QUACK. Single game ticket prices start as low as
Habitat For Humanity 50/50 Raffle Winning Numbers
Past Winning Numbers for the Habitat For Humanity of Summit County Raffle at Canal Park: - July 13: A-3030632 - July 12: A-7561811 - July 9: A-4705280 - July 8: A-3752375 - July 6: A-4089996 - July 5: A-9534446 - July 4: A-2793886 - June 29: A-4403777 - June 28:
Hit the ice with Matt Doherty at Canal Park August 9th for the Hum Goalie Goalie VIP Package
Purchase VIP Package (AKRON, OHIO) February 3, 2025 – Matt Doherty, the actor best known for his role of Lester Averman in The Mighty Ducks franchise, will be at Canal Park on Saturday, August 9. Tickets are available now for a special pregame VIP meet-and-greet with Doherty that includes a
Strike the Heisman pose with Troy Smith at Canal Park September 6th for the Scarlet & Gray VIP Package
PURCHASE VIP PACKAGE (AKRON, OHIO) March 3, 2025 – Ohio State legend and 2006 Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith will be at Canal Park Saturday, September 6. Tickets are available now for a special pregame VIP meet-and-greet with Smith that includes a picnic and guaranteed Troy Smith bobblehead presented by
7 17 Credit Union Steps Up to the Plate as Official Credit Union of the Akron RubberDucks
(AKRON, OHIO) June 5, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and 7 17 Credit Union have teamed up in a new community-focused partnership, naming 7 17 Credit Union the Official Credit Union of the team. The collaboration will officially kick off with the “Let Three-Dom Ring” celebration on July 3 at
RubberDucks announce multi-million dollar videoboard upgrade at Canal Park
(AKRON, OHIO) April 2, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the completion of a multi-million dollar videoboard upgrade to improve fan experience for the 2025 season. The Canal Park videoboard project was privately funded by Fast Forward Sports Group as part of the more than $14 million of private investments
RubberDucks to honor Donna Kelce and Stacy Carroll with bobbleheads in 2025
(AKRON, OHIO) March 27, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the mystery bobblehead giveaway presented by MCA of Akron/UA Local 219 on June 7 will be of Cleveland native Donna Kelce, and the mystery bobblehead giveaway presented by Distillata on Aug. 2 will be of actress Stacy Carroll. Kelce graduated
July 19: Antunez homers, Ducks rally but fall in Altoona, 6-5
July 19, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Altoona Curve (13-7, 43-45), Akron RubberDucks (8-12, 51-37) 5 WP: Beau Burrows (1-1) LP: Matt Jachec (1-1) Save: none Summary RubberDucks designated hitter Wuilfredo Antunez homered and doubled for his first two Double-A hits, while Akron rallied from a 5-1 deficit
July 18: Bazzana picks up two hits but Akron falls 2-1 in 10
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Altoona Curve (12-7, 42-45) 2, Akron RubberDucks (8-11, 51-36) 1 WP: Wilkin Ramos (3-2) LP: Zane Morehouse (0-2) Save: N/A Summary A wild pitch brought home the winning run as the Altoona Curve beat the Akron RubberDucks 2-1 in 10 innings on Friday night
July 13: Walks hurt Ducks in 7-2 loss
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Richmond Flying Squirrels (11-7, 32-53) 7, Akron RubberDucks (8-10, 51-35) 2 WP: Seth Lonsway (3-7) LP: Tommy Mace (9-5) Save: N/A Summary The Richmond Flying Squirrels worked 13 walks to beat the Akron RubberDucks 7-2 on Sunday afternoon at Canal Park. Turning Point Richmond
July 12: Big inning haunts Ducks in 5-3 loss
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Richmond Flying Squirrels (10-7, 31-53) 5, Akron RubberDucks (8-9, 51-34) 3 WP: Nick Sinacola (4-2) LP: Jake Miller (6-1) Save: Tyler Myrick (7) Summary A three-run fifth powered the Richmond Flying Squirrels to a 5-3 win over the Akron RubberDucks on Saturday night at
July 11: Ducks snap skid with nine run explosion
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (8-8, 51-33) 9, Richmond Flying Squirrels (9-7, 30-53) 3 WP: Trenton Denholm (9-4) LP: Manuel Mercedes (4-10) Save: N/A Summary The Akron RubberDucks snapped the six game losing streak with a 9-3 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Friday night at
July 10: Ducks slide continues with 6-1 loss
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Richmond Flying Squirrels (9-6, 30-52) 6, Akron RubberDucks (7-8, 50-33) 1 WP: John Michael Bertrand (4-7) LP: Dylan DeLucia (3-3) Save: N/A Summary The Akron RubberDucks losing streak reaches six straight after the 6-1 loss to the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Thursday night at
RubberDucks and Luigi’s Restaurant to partner for Akron Cheese Salads night
(AKRON, OHIO) March 18, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and Luigi’s Restaurant announce a partnership for the Akron Cheese Salads night on Friday, July 11. “We are thrilled to work together with Luigi’s to make our Akron Cheese Salads night even better,” RubberDucks President and General Manager Jim Pfander said.
July 9: Watson's homer not enough as Akron falls 2-1
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Richmond Flying Squirrels (8-6, 29-52) 2, Akron RubberDucks (7-7, 50-32) 1 WP: Joe Whitman (3-7) LP: Steven Pérez (1-1) Save: Tyler Myrick (6) Summary Kahlil Watson homered but the Akron RubberDucks losing streak reaches five straight after falling 2-1 to the Richmond Flying Squirrels
July 8: Ducks skid hits four straight after 4-2 loss to Richmond
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Richmond Flying Squirrels (7-6, 28-52) 4, Akron RubberDucks (7-6, 50-31) 2 WP: Nick Sinacola (3-2) LP: Tommy Mace (9-4) Save: Marques Johnson (1) Summary Cooper Ingle and Jonah Advincula each collect two hits, but the Akron RubberDucks fell 4-2 to the Richmond Flying Squirrels