When our American Airlines Boeing 757 touched down at San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, so began my second visit to Puerto Rico, this time in advance of a Panama Canal cruise. The first was in 1974, but I’m told San Juan hasn’t changed a lot over the years. However, my second visit won’t be anything like the first.
I was a baseball writer in those days, and the trip to San Juan was for a spring training game. For me, it was more. This was just over a year after the death of Roberto Clemente, the Pittsburgh Pirates super star who died 
in a plane crash on a mercy mission to aid earthquake victims in neighboring Nicaragua.
I had it in mind to write a story about the wife and three children he left behind. It had the makings of being a good human interest story.
I found the address of the Clemente home — I’m really not sure how — and set about to find it. There was a short taxi ride to the suburbs and, having zero knowledge of Spanish, there was still some searching to do from where the cab driver let me out. Eventually, I was standing at the front door and, with some trepidation, I rang the bell. His widow, Vera, opened the door and after my short introduction and explanation, I was invited inside.
The interview lasted about an hour. She was gracious, and forthcoming, in recalling what the last 14 months had been like for Roberto’s family.
Somehow, I can’t imagine having that kind of experience today.