The coming of spring heralds in another season of America’s pasttime, baseball. With the Major League Baseball’s (MLB) 2009 season just beginning, it is a good time to look back at the players that made the sport what it is today.

The Austin Public Library will be doing just that with its hosting of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibit, “Beyond Baseball, the Life of Roberto Clemente.” The exhibit will be appearing at the library from April 13 to June 7 and be available for viewing during the library’s regular hours.

The panel display chronicles the life and achievements of Pittsburg Pirates right fielder, Roberto Clemente. The exhibit, which will be in Spanish and English, is part of the Smithsonian’s Traveling Exhibition program.

“We wanted this exhibit because spring is the time for baseball, it’s bilingual and is something people might not know about,” said Library Director Ann Hokanson.

People are already expressing their interest in the exhibit, Hokanson said. The library has received calls from as far away as the Twin Cities regarding the display. The Austin Public Library is the only planned Minnesota stop for presentation.

“It’s well worth the trip to see,” Hokanson said.

Along with the panel display will be a one-hour documentary shown continually and a presentation given by keynote speaker Dan Conradt at 6:30 p.m. April 21. Set-up took place on Friday for the Monday opening.

Puerto Rican-born Clemente began his MLB career in 1954. Over the next 18 years he received numerous awards including 12 consecutive Gold Gloves and a World Series win. He was also the first Latin American to earn the National League’s MVP award and is the first Latin-born player inducted into the Hall of Fame.

He died in a plane crash while delivering humanitarian relief to Nicaragua.

For more information, call the library at 433-2391 or visit the Smithsonian Exhibit Web site, www.robertoclemente.si.edu.