Associate justice of the Supreme Court Sonya Sotomayor threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Washington Nationals game on Thursday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies.
It was Roberto Clemente Day and Hispanic Heritage Day at Nationals Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente was born in Puerto Rico in 1934 and died in 1972 while flying supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Sotomayor grew up in The Bronx with Puerto Rican parents.
Catching the first pitch was Washington manager Dave Martinez, who was born in New York City and had parents from Puerto Rico. Martinez turned 55 on Thursday. Clemente was his father’s favorite player.
“Not only is he a legend on the field, but also off the field,” Martinez said.
After throwing the first pitch, Sotomayor greeted Martinez and Washington left fielder Juan Soto. Soto is from the Dominican Republic, and at 20, is one of the top young hitters in the major leagues.
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