World Series champion and Pirates legend Rennie Stennett passed away today at the age of 72.
Stennett’s death was confirmed by family members earlier today and the Pirates announced his passing in a social media post. The former middle infielder spent 10 years in the MLB – eight with the Bucs and two with the San Francisco Giants. He was a member of the 1971 and 1979 World Series champion teams in Pittsburgh and helped to usher in the “We Are Famalee” era.
Stennett also became the first player to go 7-for-7 at the plate in a single game after the Pirates beat the Cubs, 22-0, on Sept. 16, 1975 – becoming the first and to date the only modern-era player to accomplish this in a nine-inning game, according to the Pro Baseball Hall of Fame.
He collected a .274 batting average along with 432 total RBIs and 75 stolen bases. Stennett also finished with a .978 lifetime fielding percentage with 687 double plays.
Team president Travis Williams said in a news release: “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,”
You can read the full release below:
From Pirates.com
On behalf of the Stennett family, the Pittsburgh Pirates today confirmed the passing of former Pirates great Rennie Stennett early this morning in Coconut Creek, Fla., after a hard-fought and courageous battle with cancer. Stennett was 72 years old.
“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,” Pirates President Travis Williams said. “A member of our World Series Championships in both 1971 and 1979 who remained a very active and cherished member of our Alumni Association, Rennie symbolized what it meant to be a Pittsburgh Pirate.
“Rennie was proud to be a member of the first all-minority lineup in Major League Baseball history when he took the field with his teammates 50 years ago on September 1, 1971,” Williams added. “And who could ever forget when he famously went 7-for-7 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 16, 1975, becoming the first, and still, only player in the modern-era to accomplish the feat in a nine-inning game.
“Rennie’s legacy will live on here with the Pirates and through his family he loved dearly. Our sincere condolences to his daughter Renee (Lujo), her husband Rolando and their sons Rolando Jr. and Rylan, Rennie’s son Rennie Jr., his daughter Nevaeh and son Camden, as well as Rennie’s son Roberto. We join them and all his loved ones in their grief. Rennie will be missed,” said Williams.
*Media please note that Stennett was born on April 5, 1949, as confirmed by his family. Many references incorrectly list his birthday as April 5, 1951.
