Rennie Stennett, a two-time World Series champion with the Pittsburgh Pirates, died this morning in Coconut Creek, Fla., after a battle with cancer. He was 72 years old.
Born in Panama, Stennett made his major league debut July 10, 1971. A shortstop and second baseman, he batted .353 that season and helped the Pirates win the World Series.
He was part of the first major league all-Black starting lineup on Sept. 1, 1971, batting leadoff as the Pirates defeated the Phillies, 10-7.
In 1979, he again celebrated a World Series title with the Pirates.
Stennett hit .274 with 1,239 hits, 41 home runs, 432 RBIs and 500 runs scored during an 11-year major league career. He spent nine seasons with the Pirates (1971-79) and two with the San Francisco Giants (1980-81).
Pirates President Travis Williams released a statement saying “We are saddened by the loss of such a beloved member of the Pirates family. Rennie was a great player on the field, and an even better person off of it.”
Among his career highlights was a 7-for-7 performance in a 22-0 win over the Cubs on Sept. 16, 1975. He became the only player in the 20th century to go 7 for 7 in a nine-inning game.