This Day In Dodgers History: Roberto Clemente Joins Pirates, Steve Sax Wins Rookie Of The Year & Vin Scully Receives Presidential Medal Of Freedom

This day in Los Angeles Dodgers history was memorable for Steve Sax and Vin Scully, and also a franchise-altering transaction involving Roberto Clemente.

On November 22, 1954, the Pittsburgh Pirates purchased Clemente’s contract from the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate at the time. Clemente was productive in his lone Minor League season, batting .257/.286/.372 with five doubles, three triples, two home runs and 12 RBI over 87 games.

Clemente went on to play 18 seasons with the Pirates, becoming the first Latin American and Caribbean player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Clemente won two World Series, was a 15-time All-Star, MVP winner and won 12 Gold Glove Awards. For all his accomplishments on the field, Clemente is regarded as one of the most giving figures in baseball history.

The Roberto Clemente Award was established in his honor to give to the player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

Steve Sax wins Rookie of the Year

On November 22, 1982, Sax was voted the winner of the National League Rookie of the Year Award to extend the Dodgers’ streak to four in a row.

Sax batted .282/.335/.359 with 23 doubles, four home runs and 47 RBI over 150 games. He additionally earned his first of five career All-Star Game selections.

From 1979-1982, Dodgers Rookie of the Year winners were Rick Sutcliffe, Steve Howe, Fernando Valenzuela and Sax.

Dodgers sign Juan Pierre

On November 22, 2006, the Dodgers signed Juan Pierre to a five-year, $44 million contract.

Pierre appeared in 162 games during his first season with the Dodgers but was traded to the Chicago White Sox in December 2009 for John Ely and Jon Link.

In three seasons with the Dodgers, Pierre batted .294/.339/.357 with 50 doubles, 18 triples, one home run, 100 RBI and 134 stolen bases.

Vin Scully recognized by President Barack Obama

On November 22, 2016, Scully received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama during a ceremony at The White House. The honor is the highest-ranking award a civilian can receive.

Among other accolades, Scully was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982, and joined the College Baseball Hall of Fame in November 2015. He was awarded the Ford Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award for sportscasting in 1995.