Former big league infielder and outfielder Rennie Stennett, best remembered for being the only big league player during the 20th Century to collect 7 hits in a game, passed away today of cancer. He was 72.
The Panamanian born Stennett was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969 and would make his big league debut in 1971. That same year Stennett made history when he led off in what turned out to be the first all-black and Latino starting lineup in MLB history in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Pirates would go onto the win the World Series defeating the Baltimore Orioles in seven games.
After splitting his time between second base, shortstop and the outfield, Stennett would become the Pirates' everyday second baseman in 1974 after trading Dave Cash to the Philadelphia Phillies. On September 16, 1975, Stennett would have the most memorable game of his career. In a 22-0 thrashing of the Chicago Cubs, Stennett went 7 for 7 making him the only player to do so during the 20th Century. During the game, Stennett hit four singles, two doubles and a triple before being lifted for a young pinch runner by the name of Willie Randolph who would go on the greater success in the Bronx. In addition to his seven hits, Stennett scored five times and had 2 RBI. His first hit of that game was off Cubs starter Rick Reuschel. His seventh hit of the game was off Paul Reuschel.
Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants collected 7 hits in a game in 2016 but that was an extra inning affair. However, this did not stop Stennett from visiting with Crawford to congratulate him.
Stennett was on his way to having a MVP caliber season in 1977. He was batting .336 and had a career high 28 stolen bases but would sustain a broken leg sliding into second base in a game against the San Francisco Giants on August 21st ending his season. Of all people, relief pitcher Terry Forster was inserted as a pinch runner.
Although Stennett would earn another World Series ring with the Bucs in 1979, he was never the same player. Stennett did manage to sign a five year, $300,000 free agent contract with the San Francisco Giants. But he would be released by the Giants prior to the 1982 season. Stennett would play in the Mexican League with Broncos de Reynosa before signing a minor league contract with the Montreal Expos in 1983 where he played under Felipe Alou with the Triple-AAA Wichita Aeros. However, Stennett was not return to the big leagues. In 1237 games big league games over 11 seasons, Stennett collected 1239 hits for a lifetime batting average of .274 with 41 HR and 432 RBI plus two World Series rings.
I leave you with Stennett getting his seventh and final hit that glorious September day at Wrigley Field in 1975. Perhaps he is back there now. R.I.P.
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