Larry Stahl, a former Major League Baseball outfielder best known for drawing a controversial walk that spoiled Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas' perfect game in 1972, died on October 15, 2024, at age 84.[1][2] The death occurred at Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Caseyville, Illinois.[1][3]
Born June 4, 1940, in Belleville, Illinois, Stahl played 10 seasons in the majors from 1964 to 1973 with four teams.[4] Over 663 games, he batted .232 with 36 home runs and 163 runs batted in.[4]
Stahl's career began with the Kansas City Athletics (1964-1966), followed by stints with the New York Mets (1967-1968), San Diego Padres (1969-1972) and Cincinnati Reds (1973).[4]
On September 9, 1972, at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Cubs right-hander Milt Pappas had retired the first 26 San Diego Padres batters faced, one out shy of a perfect game.[4][5] Pinch-hitter Stahl, a left-handed batter, worked a full count against Pappas and was awarded a walk on the final pitch by home plate umpire Bruce Froemming, ending the perfect game bid.[4][5][6] Pappas retired the next batter to complete a 8-0 no-hitter.[5]
Pappas later criticized the call, telling ESPN in 2007: "They were strikes or ‘that close’ to being strikes that he should’ve raised his right hand. I had the opportunity for a perfect game, and, unfortunately, Bruce Froemming did not help me at all."[6]
Stahl's best statistical season was 1971 with the Padres, when he hit .253 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 120 games.[4] His only postseason appearance came in 1973 with the Reds, who won the National League West.[4] In the NL Championship Series against the Mets, Stahl went 2-for-4.[4]
Sources
- Chicago Sun-Times, "Larry Stahl, who denied Milt Pappas a perfect game in 1972, dead at 84", October 16, 2024, https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2024/10/16/24271781/larry-stahl-milt-pappas-perfect-game-cubs-padres-dead
- MLB Trade Rumors, "Former Padres, Cubs Outfielder Larry Stahl Passes Away At 84", October 16, 2024, https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/former-padres-of-cubs-outfielder-larry-stahl-passes-away-at-84.html
- Fox News, "Former Major League Baseball player Larry Stahl died at age 84", October 16, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/former-major-league-baseball-player-larry-stahl-died-age-84-tuesday
- Baseball-Reference, "Larry Stahl", accessed October 17, 2024, https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stahlla01.shtml
- Baseball-Reference, "Chicago Cubs 8, San Diego Padres 0 (Game 2)", September 9, 1972, https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN197209090.shtml
- ESPN, "Pappas still steamed over '72 perfect game", September 9, 2007, https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3017454
