September 1, 1971

[GeoPoto]

Pirates pitcher Steve Blass commented on Murtaugh’s approach to the game, stating, “He treated it with the respect it deserved, but didn’t act like it was as big of a deal as they were making — he just put out the nine best Pirates and didn’t care if they were white, Black, Latino, whatever. It was a tremendous response to that whole thing, which was a big deal.”

With the win, the Pirates improved to a record of 82 and 56. They completed the season with a record of 97-65. They went on to defeat the San Francisco Giants in the National League Championship Series three games to one, and then defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series in seven games. Historically, the fielding of an all-Black team certainly ranks with that World Series victory.

Managing the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates: Daniel E. "Danny" Murtaugh. Second baseman with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948-1951. 661 hits and 49 stolen bases in 9 MLB seasons. He debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1941-1943 and 1946. 1960 and 1971 World Series champion. 1941 NL stolen base leader. Pittsburgh Pirates #40 retired. His best season as a player was 1948 with Pittsburgh as he posted a .365 OBP with 71 RBIs in 579 plate appearances. He managed the Pirates in 1957-1964, 1967, 1970-1971, and 1973-1976. In 1971 he was the first manager to field a starting lineup consisting of 9 black players.