September 1, 1971
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.
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