Gene Clines, part of Pirates’ 1971 World Series winner and MLB’s first all-minority lineup, dies at 75

A 5-foot-9, 170-pound outfielder and pinch-hitter, Clines hit .277/.329/.341 while appearing in 870 MLB games, 452 of them in Pittsburgh. The right-handed hitter collected 85 doubles, 24 triples, five home runs, 187 RBIs and 71 steals throughout his career.

Clines’ best season came in 1972, when he hit .334 over 107 games, setting career-highs in doubles (15) and steals (15). The most memorable postseason moment for Clines — aside from the championship itself — had to be his home run in Game 2 of the 1971 NLCS against the Giants, helping the Pirates erase an early series deficit with a 9-4 win.

“Gene was a speedy outfielder who was a key member of our 1971 World Series team,” Pirates president Travis Williams said in a statement. “He made a tremendous impact on the game, not only as a player after his career with the Pirates but also as a longtime coach in the big leagues.”

Clines, who also played for the Cubs, Rangers and Mets, began his coaching career with the Cubs and later worked as a hitting coach and instructor with the Astros, Mariners, Brewers and Giants.