http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?cnn=yes
NEW YORK (AP) -- Roberto Clemente's family is pursuing legal action against the auction house that is selling off pieces of the plane in which the baseball Hall of Famer died.
Lelands auction house is selling a light metal piece of the airplane and a gray steel propeller. The auction, which includes 28 Clemente-related items, is to end June 24. The New York Times first reported the story on its Web site Saturday night.
Clemente died on Dec. 31, 1972, when the DC-7 he was on during a relief mission crashed after takeoff from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The plane was headed to Nicaragua with supplies for earthquake victims.
Roberto Clemente Jr. said in a statement the family "will not tolerate anyone trying to benefit from my father's passing."
"My father dedicated his entire life to helping those who needed it most," Clemente Jr. said. "Whether it was giving 150 percent on the baseball diamond and building a foundation for future generations of Latin baseball players in America, or by traveling around the world offering inspiration and humanitarian aid to people of all races and colors, he was always looking out for others.
"The Clemente family simply will not tolerate anyone trying to benefit from my father's passing, and we are currently pursuing aggressive legal action to ensure something like this never happens again."
The light metal piece, measuring 19 by 14 inches at its largest point, has a minimum auction price of $1,500. The propeller, 14 by 79 inches, has a minimum price of $1,000. The high bid for the first piece is $1,650 and the high for the second is $1,210.
Joshua Leland Evans, the chairman and founder of the auction house, didn't return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment.
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*Can't really blame the family for not wanting any of his memories going to auction. Why must people be so insensitive?*
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