Pirates Unveil Special Tribute To Groundbreaking Championship Lineup

The 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates could mash. Led by Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Al Oliver and others, they led the National League in runs (788), hits (1,555), home runs (154), slugging percentage (.416) and OPS (.746).

The Pirates’ potent offense carried them to the best record in the NL that year (97-65), a pennant and a World Series title over the defending champion Baltimore Orioles. It was one of the greatest lineups in team history.

Towards the end of that wonderful campaign, Pittsburgh made Major League history. On Sept. 1, 1971, the Pirates became the first team in MLB history to field an all-minority starting lineup — 24 years after Jackie Robinson broke the sport’s color barrier.

For that day’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh manager Danny Murtaugh’s starting lineup was comprised entirely of African-American and Latino players. It had Oliver at first base, Rennie Stennett at second base, Dave Cash at third base, Jackie Hernandez at shortstop, Stargell in left field, Gene Clines in center field, Clemente in right field, Manny Sanguillen behind the plate and Dock Ellis on the mound.

54 years ago, history was made at Three Rivers Stadium as the Pirates fielded the first all-minority lineup in MLB history.

Today, we joined the Heinz History Center and local leaders in honoring those players with a permanent historical marker on West General Robinson St. pic.twitter.com/GEcTeRP3W2

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 2, 2025

It turned out to be a pretty good lineup, as the Pirates beat the Phillies 10-7 behind 13 hits. Every member of Pittsburgh’s starting lineup had at least one hit except for Hernandez and Ellis (the No. 8 and No. 9 hitters).

On Tuesday, the Pirates commemorated the 54th anniversary of that special day with a permanent historical marker on West General Robinson St., near the former site of Three Rivers Stadium and just around the corner from PNC Park. The sign was unveiled in a ceremony featuring team officials, former players, the Heinz History Center and local leaders.

Fittingly, Pittsburgh beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-7 at home that evening, capping off a great day for Pirates fans.

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