The Pittsburgh Pirates are reversing course on the removal of a Roberto Clemente memorial after the family of the late Major League Baseball legend slammed the team in an open letter over the weekend.
The team’s president Travis Williams said in a statement to PEOPLE that the organization “did not intend to disrespect the legacy of Roberto Clemente” by removing an outfield wall pad dedicated to the MLB Hall of Famer. The 15-time MLB All-Star died in a 1972 plane crash while delivering relief goods after a massive earthquake struck Nicaragua.
The memorial graphic on the right field wall at PNC Park was recently removed and replaced with an alcohol advertisement, drawing the ire of both Clemente’s fans and family.