Last Name of Newest Player Has Ring to It

On the 25th anniversary of his uncle’s death, Edgard Velazquez took his uncle’s name.

With the blessing of his aunt and his mother three years ago, he became Edgard Clemente, so that the back of his baseball jersey forever would reflect the admiration he had for the legendary Roberto Clemente.

“I wanted to honor him,” he said.

Clemente joined the Angels Friday, two days after he was acquired from the Colorado Rockies for two minor leaguers. He will play in the outfield and as a designated-hitter against some left-handed pitchers.

The first questions he fielded were of his Hall-of-Fame uncle and the eye-catching last name.

Edgard Alexis Velazquez Clemente--his father’s surname is Velazquez--was born nearly three years after Clemente died in the tragic New Year’s Eve plane crash in 1972. He knew of his uncle only through family stories--his mother, Carmine, was Roberto’s sister--and through videotape.

There was one, in particular, that showed Roberto in Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium making a throw to the plate from near the right-field fence. Growing up in Puerto Rico, Edgard recalls running that tape back and forth, over and over.

Gradually, Edgard had taken to signing his name “Edgard V. Clemente,” and finally he approached Vera Clemente, his aunt and Roberto’s widow, and his mother and asked their permission to make it official.

“I told them that I wanted to do this,” he said. “I wanted approval before I did it. She [Vera] was touched.”

Asked how he has co-existed with such a name on the back of his jersey, Edgard smiled and held the jersey before him, admiring the block letters.

“I don’t put in my head the name,” he said. “I just go out and play. He was Roberto. I’m Edgard. I try to play my game, and play hard.”

The name change did not come without a price, however. Edgard’s father had hoped to see his surname on the back of a big-league jersey.

“He was upset,” he said.

Still, Edgard says they remain close.

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Clemente considers center field his natural position, and has played plenty of right field, as well. He estimated he had played about three games in left field, all in the minor leagues.

The Angels like Clemente for his versatility.

“There are at-bats for him,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “How much depends on his production.”

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Angel left-hander Scott Schoeneweis, given the final rotation spot though he struggled in the final two weeks of camp, had another uneven exhibition start in Anaheim’s 6-4 victory in 10 innings over the San Diego Padres Friday night at Edison Field. In five innings, he allowed four runs on seven hits, including Phil Nevin’s three-run homer in the third inning. The Angels won the exhibition on Garret Anderson’s two-run home run with one out.. Tom Candiotti, who pitched a scoreless 10th, was the winner. . . . Left-hander Sterling Hitchcock, scheduled to start San Diego’s season opener Monday in New York, was struck behind the left knee during batting practice and had to be helped from the field. Hitchcock was standing near first base when Mo Vaughn hit a line drive that skipped once and hit him in the leg. He is day to day. . . . Kent Mercker, who will begin the season in the bullpen, will start today’s game against the Padres in San Diego. Jason Dickson is scheduled to start Sunday’s game against Cal State Fullerton. Ramon Ortiz, on the disabled list with a torn labrum but expected to be part of the rotation by April 11, will start a minor-league game today in Arizona. . . . Troy Glaus has taken Jim Edmonds’ No. 25.