Ceremony in New York celebrates late Clemente

For the big leaguers who saw him play, Roberto Clemente was a breathtaking talent and unmistakable force on the field who made a powerful impact on young ballplayers.

His selfless humanitarianism left a lasting impression, too.

Major League Baseball celebrated its 21st annual Roberto Clemente Day on Thursday, with festivities centered in New York, where the Mets hosted the Hall of Fame outfielder’s former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Clemente died in a plane crash at age 38 attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua on New Year’s Eve 1972. To mark the 50th anniversary year of that tragedy, more than a dozen winners of baseball’s treasured Roberto Clemente Award for philanthropy and playing excellence joined Clemente family members at Citi Field for the pregame ceremony.

“The most important trophy that I have in my house. Because it’s not just a trophy,” said former

Mets slugger and 2006 winner Carlos Delgado, like Clemente a proud native of Puerto Rico.

Hall of Famers Dave Winfield and Jim Thome were among the Clemente Award winners introduced on the field before highlights of the 15-time All-Star’s life and career played on the large video board in center field.

Players and coaches from both teams — all wearing Clemente’s No. 21, as did some others around the majors — lined the baselines. Puerto Rican musician José Feliciano performed the national anthem of Puerto Rico and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Clemente’s 4-year-old grandson threw out a first pitch. ALDERSON TO STEP DOWN AS METS’ GM >> Sandy Alderson will step down as president of the New York Mets when the team finds his replacement. The 74-year-old Alderson, a cancer survivor who has served two stints as New York’s general manager, will move to a new role as special advisor to owners Steve and Alex Cohen and the senior leadership team.