This week, 1971 World Series champion Dave Cash, who in his 12 year career, was a three-time All-Star, a lifetime .283 infielder for the Pirates, Phillies, Expos and Padres. But he will forever be linked to that fabled ball club in Pittsburgh playing alongside three future Baseball Hall of Famers: Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski and “Robbie” Clemente.

To Dave Cash and a few others on the team, he was Robbie. LISTEN to this “pod” and hear why “The Great One” impacted this team in so many areas.

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Enrique Zorrilla, a professor at the University of Puerto Rico (School of Dental Medicine) who had an extraordinary relationship with “The Great One.” His late father Don Pedro Zorrilla (1905-1981) owner of the Santurce Crabbers team (a Puerto Rican Winter League team), signed this future “Rule 5 Draft” pick to his FIRST professional baseball contract on the island. But up-close, Zorrilla’s son saw another side of Clemente. He describes on two occasions not only the phenomenal Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder we’ve come to admire through vintage videos and sound bites but of a kindhearted, humble human being.

Talkin’21 podcast welcomes former Dodgers’ executive Fred Claire who was the General Manager when his National League West team won the World Series in 1988. Thirty-two years later, he shares his excitement on seeing his former ballclub once again raise the Commissioner’s Trophy but most importantly what he looked for in creating a winning team. In baseball and life, it’s always about character and this was especially true in the extraordinary lives of his dear friend Jackie Robinson and the legacy of Roberto Clemente. Sadly in 2015, Fred Claire would go on to face the biggest challenge of his post-baseball life - cancer. But, having the right team (his wife, family and close friends), the incredible doctors at City of Hope and his inspirational book entitled, “Extra Innings” allowed this humble man to not only say, “I feel great” but also, “I’m blessed.” And finally what are his thoughts on the retirement of Clemente’s iconic number.