PITTSBURGH — Gene Clines spent 10 years in Major League Baseball as a player, then more than two decades on various coaching staffs during a storied career that included nine different organizations. Yet there's little doubt concerning the date and location of Clines' favorite memories.
Clines, whose passing at the age of 75 was confirmed by the Pirates on Thursday, was a key part of their 1971 World Series-winning club and also a member of MLB's first all-minority lineup, which took the field Sept. 1, 1971.
Honored this past July as part of a pregame, on-field ceremony at PNC Park, Clines and others reflected on what that did for diversity in the sport.
"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. "I take a lot of pride in being a part of that."
After Clines' passing, there are now just three members left from that famous group: Dave Cash, Al Oliver and Manny Sanguillen. In a 10-7 victory over the Phillies at Three Rivers Stadium, Clines went 2 for 5 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored after starting in center field and batting second.
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 began his coaching career with the Cubs and later worked as a hitting coach and instructor with the Astros, Mariners, Brewers and Giants.
Clines was San Francisco's hitting/outfield coach from 1995-2002, meaning he spent a lot of time with Barry Bonds. That final year, you could hear Clines celebrating Bonds' first World Series home run while perched on the railing and wearing a microphone for Fox; the video of Clines screaming "Oh my God!" is worth a YouTube search.
No cause of death was given in Thursday's announcement, and the Pirates said the family requests privacy at this time.
"It was an honor to have Gene back in Pittsburgh this past September to recognize him and his teammates," Williams added. "It was a joy to talk to him about his deep passion for baseball, his love for his teammates and his appreciation for the city of Pittsburgh. Our hearts go out to his wife Joanne, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren."
The Pirates selected Clines in the sixth round in 1966, and he hit .287 with 45 doubles, 14 triples, two home runs, 81 RBIs and 51 stolen bases for them from 1970-74.
Clines appeared in the playoffs three times as a player: in 1971, '72 and '74. After leaving Pittsburgh, Clines — who lived in Bradenton, Fla. — also played for the Mets (1975), Rangers (1976) and Cubs (1977-79).
