Bell carries on Clemente's legacy of activism

PITTSBURGH -- Josh Bell has always been active in the Pirates’ community outreach efforts. When the team visited a school on a recent Roberto Clemente Day, for instance, you just needed to look at the middle of the largest group of kids to find Bell. His visibility only increased during his All-Star campaign last year, as he took on all the tasks typically associated with the face of a franchise.

This year, Bell has found a more personal cause that helped him commit to using his platform to help not only the Pittsburgh community, but the country as a whole. His activism against systemic racism and his commitment to creating social justice made Bell the Pirates’ incredibly deserving nominee for this year’s Roberto Clemente Award.

“It’s definitely really special, especially representing him here in Pittsburgh. The Clemente name is everything in this city,” Bell said on Tuesday. “Just driving around and seeing different paintings of him, us as ballplayers, going to the [Clemente Museum] from time to time, checking out the legacy and having his family come down year after year is definitely a cool thing to be a part of.”

In the past, Bell was hesitant to speak out on non-baseball topics. Like many athletes who wanted to take a stand, he was concerned about the way Colin Kaepernick was ostracized in the National Football League for kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest against police brutality. But after watching the video in May of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on George Floyd’s neck, killing him, Bell felt a personal connection and sought ways to use his platform as a prominent Black athlete.

“I think I started something this year. Really went soul-searching for how I can get out and do good,” he said. “I just know that fire has been started, and the acknowledgement that I’m doing good is more fuel. I don’t know exactly where this is going to go, but I do know that nothing is going to stop me in regards to getting out and trying to listen to my spirit and listen when there’s a voice inside me that says there’s more to be done.

“There are people you can help. There are voices that aren’t heard that need hearing. I was happy to start that this summer. Definitely excited to continue that in the future.

As Bell said on July 4, he grew up as a Black kid in America first and as a baseball player second. He asked questions, listened and learned to find out how he could help make a positive change in the world. He took part in a call with the Pirates Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program, talked with Rabbi Ron Symons of the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh’s “Center for Loving Kindness” and took part in several MLB-related roundtables to further the conversation about racial equality in baseball.

Bell started a series on his social media accounts featuring the hashtag #SocialReformSunday, an attempt to share what he’s learned about issues of social justice and racial inequality. He’s been in frequent communication with other players throughout the league, particularly those in the Players Alliance, encouraging them to share as well.

“I’ve been trying to recognize, acknowledge that there’s bad in this world, but still try to fight for the change that’s going to be the good. I think that’s where I’m at,” Bell said on Aug. 28. “I know that these horrific acts aren’t going to be the last ones that are talked about, but hopefully one day, they will end. Hopefully one day it will be the last one, things will change, and legislation will change and society will change as a whole to make life better for younger generations across the board. It’s definitely tough. I think it’s tough, but I guess one day I’ll look back on these times and be thankful.”

Bell asked the Pirates for assistance, and they threw their support behind him. Every Sunday, the club shares a video for its “Building Bridges” series in which a different player, coach or staff member speaks honestly and personally about their feelings on social reform. Bell was featured in the first video.

Bell has also gotten involved with his teammates, as a conversation with Pirates starter Trevor Williams prompted him to share his reading list with the staff at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, creating a book club with reading material that’s more about “what being a good human being looks like” than just social reform.

Every player who comes up through the Pirates’ system is taught about the humanitarian legacy of Clemente, the importance of carrying on that work in the community and the need to stand up for what’s right. Bell is no exception.

“It’s definitely cool to learn more and more every year about his special character -- and obviously his baseball speaks for itself -- and things that he did away from the field and the sacrifices that he made,” Bell said. “Giving back to the community is something that I think the world needs more of.”

The past four years, Bell helped raise money through the Dreambuilders Foundation, which provides backpacks filled with food that children can take home on weekends. Proper nutrition for children is important to Bell, so he’s tried to carry that into his community work. He’s been involved with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, MLB’s Home Plate Project and various Pirates Charities initiatives, including the annual CARE-a-van.

“I’m really excited for Josh. I think he’s done an unbelievable job getting out in the community, and that comes back to when I first got hired in November and coming in here,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton, who led the effort to have Pittsburgh wear No. 21 on Wednesday. “He was living here year-round. He was out doing things during the Christmas season, during the Thanksgiving season and even before Spring Training.

“[Bell] has established himself as not only a leader in our clubhouse but in the community of Pittsburgh, and I think that says a lot about him. Very deserving of the nomination.”