September 1, 1971

[GeoPoto]

A significant milestone in the evolution of integrated Major League baseball occurred 25 years after Jackie Robinson's debut. In this thread I present a 2018 article by Rich Puerzer that summarizes the 1971 game and cards from my collection featuring the key participants. I hope you enjoy the narrative and would love to see any related items from your collection.

The 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates were a special team in a multitude of ways. They were probably the most diverse team in the major leagues, featuring 13 players of Latin or African American descent on their roster, including their best two players, Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente. That season the Pirates went on to win the World Series, but along the way they also achieved a first in the history of major-league baseball. On September 1, 1971, the Pirates fielded an all-Black lineup of African American and Latino players.

The historic game was played between the Pirates and division rivals the Philadelphia Phillies on a Wednesday night at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Pirates entered the game with a record of 81-56 and were in first place in the National League East by 4½ games over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Phillies were a lowly 57-77 and in last place in the division. The attendance for the game was 11,278, all of whom got to see history made.

Leading off and playing second base: Reinaldo A. "Rennie" Stennett Porte. Second Baseman with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971-1979. 1,239 hits and 75 stolen bases in 11 MLB seasons. 1979 World Series champion. In 1975 Stennett became the only player in the 20th century to have seven hits in seven at-bats in a nine-inning game. In 1974 he had 196 hits and a .322 OBP in 721 plate appearance. In 1977 he posted a .376 OBP with 28 stolen bases in 490 plate appearances. He last appeared with the San Francisco Giants in 1981.

[Cliff Bowman]

I guessed what it was from your title, that was cool of Danny Murtaugh to do it.

[Gr8Beldini]

Murtaugh said he was just filling out the lineup card based on the information at hand (who was hot; what pitcher they were facing; who needed rest; who was hurt, etc). He had no idea it was an "all black lineup" until someone asked him about it after the game.

[GeoPoto]

The starting lineup for the Pirates was: batting leadoff and playing second base, Rennie Stennett; batting second and playing center field, Gene Clines; batting third and playing right field, Roberto Clemente; batting cleanup and playing left field, Willie Stargell; batting fifth and catching, Manny Sanguillen; batting sixth and playing third base, Dave Cash; batting seventh and playing first base, Al Oliver; batting eighth and playing shortstop, Jackie Hernandez; and batting ninth and pitching, Dock Ellis.

Aside from the pitcher, the one position and really the only position where a white player was generally more likely to start at this point in the season, was at first base. Bob Robertson generally played first for the Pirates in 1971, especially against left-handed pitching. Despite the fact that the Phillies were starting former-Bucco Woodie Fryman, a lefthander, lefty-swinging Al Oliver got the start at first base for the Bucs.

Batting second and playing center field: Eugene A. "Gene" Clines. Outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1970-1974. 645 hits and 71 stolen bases in 10 MLB seasons. Clines debuted with Pittsburgh and was a member of the September 1971 starting lineup featuring 9 players of color, a first in MLB history. In 1976 he got a career-high 480 plate appearances, posting a .316 OBP, with 52 runs scored. His final stint was 1977-79 with the Chicago Cubs.

[71buc]

I’m more of a memorabilia guy so my contribution here will reflect that quirk. Here are game used bats from each player that day with the exception of Dock Ellis. The scored program is from that game. A ticket stub to this game has long been a white whale for me. I’m aware of only three examples in other collections. Understandably the owners asking prices are a kings ransom and I’m collecting on a peasant’s budget.

[rats60]

It is surprising that it took that long. The Pirates had a roster heavy with Latin and African American players.

P Dock Ellis 31 starts
Bob Veale & Mudcat Grant both long time SP who could have started games.

C Manny Sanguillen 129 starts

1B Al Oliver 21 starts
Willie Stargell at 148 starts at 1B from 63-69 and 99 in 72 could have started games

2B Dave Cash 92 starts
Rennie Stennett 33 starts

3B Jose Pagan 38 starts
Dave Cash 22 starts

SS Jackie Hernandez 65 starts

LF Willie Stargell 137 starts
Gene Clines 12 starts
Vic Davalillo 7 starts

CF Al Oliver 112 starts
Gene Clines 39 starts
Vic Davalillo 11 starts

RF Roberto Clemente 120 starts
Vic Davalillo 30 starts
Gene Clines 10 starts

White Players who had a significant number of starts
Bob Robertson 1B 126 starts
Gene Alley SS 97 starts
Richie Hebner 3B 93 starts
Bill Mazeroski 2B 37 starts
Milt May C 31 starts

[jingram058]

It's a great story, and another interesting thread.