RIP Gene Clines

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I had high expectations for this guy, figuring any African American from the Pirates organization could only help. Hung out with John Milner.

[Edgy MD]

He was Barry Bonds' hitting coach through his considerable prime (1995–2002). I don't know what he necessarily contributed to the overall product, but that's a heckuva stamp for any passport.



I miss Met Hunter.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I have no memory of him as a Mets player, but when I saw his name in this thread title, I immediately pictured his 1976 Topps baseball card.



https://www.tcdb.com/Images/Cards/Baseball/8671/8671-498507Fr.jpg>



https://www.tcdb.com/Images/Cards/Baseball/8671/8671-498507Bk.jpg>

[Benjamin Grimm]

He was one of the nine players who were in the first all-black starting lineup in baseball history.



https://9b16f79ca967fd0708d1-2713572fef44aa49ec323e813b06d2d9.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/1140x_a10-7_cTC/20210901awMLBhistory03-2-1630549188.jpg>



https://triblive.com/sports/reunion-of-pirates-1971-world-series-champions-brings-back-memories/Reunion of Pirates' 1971 World Series champions brings back memories

Pirates announcer Greg Brown introduced a team that made major history when it started the first all-minority lineup on Sept. 1, 1971, against the Philadelphia Phillies at Three Rivers Stadium with a lineup of Rennie Stennett, Gene Clines, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, Dave Cash, Al Oliver, Jackie Hernandez and Dock Ellis.

[G-Fafif]

Our Opening Day left fielder his one Met season.

[Frayed Knot]

All sideburns HoF

[batmagadanleadoff]

His best years were his first three, all with the Pirates. And he was quite good, then. I played the 1971 Strat-O-Matic baseball set for years and years and years and I liked playing Clines over Al Oliver, the Pirates regular cener-fielder. Pound for pound (rate-wise), Clines was better.



Also, paved the way (sort of) for Rusty Staub to finally reclaim his beloved #10 uniform number after the Mets traded Duffy Dyer to the Pirates to get Clines following the '74 season, making #10 available.



Clines's '75 card is the memorable one. Yowza!





[FIMG=333]https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F00%2Fs%2FMTYwMFgxMDE5%2Fz%2FDloAAOSwU8BhYKhP%2F%24_12.JPG&psig=AOvVaw3a7wYSgS-03twbCOEJGzbR&ust=1643416871814000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQ3YkBahcKEwiAkb6Jm9P1AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA[/FIMG]

[Fman99]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He was one of the nine players who were in the first all-black starting lineup in baseball history. Pirates announcer Greg Brown introduced a team that made major history when it started the first all-minority lineup on Sept. 1, 1971, against the Philadelphia Phillies at Three Rivers Stadium with a lineup of Rennie Stennett, Gene Clines, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, Dave Cash, Al Oliver, Jackie Hernandez and Dock Ellis.

Not just any lineup, either, but one with several HoF and All Stars. That's an impressive group right there.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He was one of the nine players who were in the first all-black starting lineup in baseball history. Pirates announcer Greg Brown introduced a team that made major history when it started the first all-minority lineup on Sept. 1, 1971, against the Philadelphia Phillies at Three Rivers Stadium with a lineup of Rennie Stennett, Gene Clines, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, Dave Cash, Al Oliver, Jackie Hernandez and Dock Ellis. Not just any lineup, either, but one with several HoF and All Stars. That's an impressive group right there.

Well, the '71 Pirates themselves were World Champs. They also had Bob Robertson (32 HR's) who wasn't In that historic starting lineup, Bob being a white guy and all. Richie Hebner was their regular third baseman.