Reinaldo Antonio Stennett Porte (April 5, 1949 – May 18, 2021) was a Panamanian professional baseball second baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1971–79) and San Francisco Giants (1980–81). He batted and threw right-handed. A World Series champion with the Pirates in 1979, Stennett is one of two players (with Wilbert Robinson) to collect seven hits in a nine-inning game, which he did in a 22–0 victory over the Chicago Cubs in 1975. Stennett was also a member of the first all-Black and Latino starting lineup in big league history.

Early life

Stennett was born in Colón, Panama, on April 5, 1949. He was raised in the Panama Canal Zone and attended Paraiso High School, the same as Rod Carew. Stennett piqued the interest of the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and Houston Astros, who wanted him to continue his schooling in the United States and develop him into a pitcher. However, he rejected their overtures on the recommendation of his father. He was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 12, 1969. He made his MLB debut on July 10, 1971, at the age of 20, He collected his first major league hits a week later, going 2-for-4 against the San Diego Padres. On September 1, Pittsburgh faced the Phillies with the first major league all-Black and Latino starting lineup Stennett led off the game for the Pirates, who won 10–7.

In his first three seasons with Pittsburgh, Stennett was used at shortstop and second base. He also played a solid defense at all three outfield positions, with an average arm and great reaction speed. Stennett's first hit in that game came off starter Rick Reuschel and his seventh was off Rick's brother Paul. Pittsburgh also set a major league record for the largest winning score in a shutout game in the modern era He was the third player to collect seven hits in a single game, and the second to do it in a nine-inning game, equaling the record set by Wilbert Robinson of the 1892 Baltimore Orioles. He was out for the year and had fewer than the required number of plate appearances (12), falling short of qualifying for the batting title, won by teammate Dave Parker (.338). In that season, Stennett collected a career-high 28 stolen bases. Crawford was the first major league player to collect seven hits in a game, although in extra innings, since Stennett.

Stennett died on May 18, 2021, in Coconut Creek, Florida.

See also

  • List of Major League Baseball single-game hits leaders

References

  • Rennie Stennett at SABR (Baseball BioProject)
  • Historia del Béisbol en Panamá
  • Box score of Stennett's 7-for-7 game