A different jersey

Rico Garcia’s usual No. 50 was gone Tuesday. In its place hung a nameless No. 21 Orioles jersey, worn to honor Roberto Clemente.

Pride from his father

Garcia grew up in Hawaii, but his father was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Eddie Garcia passed that island pride, and Clemente’s legend, to his son.

The meaning still hits

Garcia has worn No. 21 before, with Baltimore and San Francisco. The chance still feels personal each time.

“The significance doesn’t dim with time.”

More than baseball

Clemente died in 1972 while flying supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. His life of service made as deep an mark on Garcia as his Hall of Fame career.

A day of visibility

Roberto Clemente Day gives Puerto Rican baseball history a national stage. Garcia said wearing the number lets him represent an entire island.

“It’s just a special opportunity being able to wear the jersey.”

The whole league joins

Every MLB player wore a No. 21 patch Tuesday. Some, including Garcia and Orioles star Pete Alonso, chose to wear Clemente’s number on their backs.

Service close to home

Garcia tries to follow Clemente’s example in Hawaii, speaking with kids at schools, gyms and Hawaii Pacific University about his path.

A hard road here

Garcia bounced through the minors, battled injuries and played for three MLB teams last year. Now he has a steady Orioles bullpen role and a number that means home.