CBS Sports reports that “former outfielder Gene Clines, a veteran of 10 big-league seasons, has died. He was 75 years old.”
“Clines appeared in 870 games in The Show during his career, amassing a slash line of .277/.329/.341 (88 OPS+) with five home runs and 71 stolen bases (on 111 tries). Though his best individual season came in 1972, when he played well enough to earn downballot consideration for the Most Valuable Player Award, his career is best remembered through the lens of the 1971 campaign. That year, Clines not only helped the Pirates win the World Series, but he was part of MLB’s first all-minority lineup.
“I look to my left, there’s [Willie] Stargell. Look to my right, there’s [Roberto] Clemente. I look around more, and I started thinking, ‘Holy [expletive].'” Clines recalled last year, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. ”
A funky farewell to the chops-tastic Gene Clines — outfielder for the World Champion '71 #Pirates, who batted second on 9/1/71 when the Bucs fielded the first all-minority lineup in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/vOEnxIkZPQ
— Dan Epstein (@BigHairPlasGras) January 27, 2022
It is with heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of former Pirate Gene Clines.
Gene was part of the first all-minority lineup in Major League Baseball history. We send our deepest condolences to the Clines family at this time. pic.twitter.com/PHcA9R5EVy
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 27, 2022
In Memory of Gene Clines (1946-2022). A Bucco from 1970-1974. 1️⃣5️⃣#WorldSeriesChampion1971 pic.twitter.com/yzZ0MqnebC
— Scott Chamberlain (@TheBuccosFan) January 27, 2022