Clemente hoping to hit homerun as new broker with Grubb & Ellis

Real Estate Weekly, Feb 5, 2003 by Natalie Keith

Roberto Clemente Jr. may be new to the real estate industry, but he knows a thing or two about baseball. And he's hoping that some of the lessons learned on the ball field will help him hit a homerun in his rookie year with Grubb & Ellis.

"You can't be afraid to strike out, If you have to strike out, you should strike out swinging," Clemente said, in a recent interview at Grubb & Ellis' 59th Street office.

For baseball fans, Clemente's name rings a clear bell. His father was Roberto Clemente Sr., a star right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates who was known as well for his humanitarian efforts as for his athleticism. Although the older Clemente was tragically killed in 1972, the younger Clemente as made it his life's work to honor his father's memory and continue his legacy.

But it wasn't until Clemente's stint as a New York Yankees broadcaster came to an end that he considered joining the ranks of the commercial real estate work force.

"I wanted something challenging that I could make a career out of," said Clemente, who continues to work for ESPN as a broadcaster for Sunday Night Baseball and boxing events.

Clemente met Grubb & Ellis executive vice president and regional managing director Joel Herskowitz at a John Starks charity golf outing where Herskowitz first introduced Clemente to the idea of working in the commercial real estate field.

Herskowitz did not recognize Clemente, but when introduced, he was immediately struck by his poise.

"I've met a lot of celebrities, a lot of sports figures, but I've never had the same type of reaction. I said to myself, 'here's an intelligent, articulate, savvy young man," Herskowitz said.

Herskowitz acknowledges that "nobody will do business with him because of his name," but said his experience in the public relations' field will serve him well in real estate.

But, if the younger Clemente is hoping to have as much success in real estate as his father had with baseball, then he has big shoes to fill. A right fielder, Clemente was selected as the number one pick of the 1954 draft and played his entire Major League Baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972. As a 12-time Gold Glove winner and the Most Valuable Player of the 1971 World Series, he is regarded as one of the greatest athletes and humanitarians of all time.

In 1972, Clemente Sr. was killed in a plane crash while bringing medical, food and clothing supplies to earthquake stricken Nicaragua. The plane went down off the coast of Puerto Rico and his body was never recovered.

Born in 1965. Clemente Jr. was also a standout athlete as a high and college student. After one year of playing college ball, a Philadelphia Phillies scout signed him to his first professional contract in 1984. Later in the 80's he had stints with the San Diego Padres organization and the Baltimore Orioles, but was felled by injuries that ultimately ended his career.

In 1990, he joined his mother in continuing the legacy of his father which is the Roberto Clemente Sports City, a non-profit organization in Carolina, Puerto Rico created to encourage young children and teens to maximize their athletic talents. In 1992, Clemente Jr. established the Puerto Rico RBI baseball program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) from within Roberto Clemente Sports City. And in 1993, he founded the Roberto Clemente Foundation in Pittsburgh.

In 1996, Clemente was hired as the New York Yankees broadcaster and worked with MSG Network, Telemundo Network and WADO-AM 1280. Since moving to New York he has also been involved with charitable organizations such as B.A.T. (Baseball Assistance Team) and the American Diabetes Association.

At Grubb & Ellis, Clemente is starting at the bottom, like all other new sales associates. Since receiving his license, Clemente has spent most of his time canvassing for clients and working with Jeff Rosenblatt, a senior broker at Grubb & Ellis, under the company's mentoring program.

"Canvassing is the most difficult part of the job," said Herskowitz. "But every time I see Roberto he's on the phone."

Clemente is also hoping to make use of his Spanish language skills and his ties to Puerto Rico, Central America and South America to give him a leg up in the business.

Herskowitz said the one common thread that all successful brokers have is dedication and follow through. With Clemente's past experience in sports and public relations, Herskowitz said he believes he has the qualities that could bring him success.

For his part, Clemente points to a simpler reason.

"I'm playing for the best team," he said.