Baseball Community Mourns Larry Stahl as Veteran Outfielder Who Ended Near Perfect Game at Wrigley Field Dies at 84 in Illinois

Baseball fans are remembering Larry Stahl, the journeyman outfielder whose name is forever linked to one of baseball’s most talked-about near-moments, as he passes away at age 84.

Stahl died Tuesday at the Caseyville Nursing and Rehab Center in Illinois, leaving behind a career defined by dedication and one unforgettable plate appearance.

A Career Spanning a Decade Across Four Clubs

Stahl spent 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, representing the Kansas City Athletics, the New York Mets, the San Diego Padres, and the Cincinnati Reds.

While his career statistics—.232 batting average, 36 home runs, and 163 RBIs over 730 games—paint the picture of a solid journeyman, it was one moment in 1972 that would etch his name into baseball lore.

The Fateful At-Bat That Spoiled a Perfect Game

On September 2, 1972, Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas was tantalizingly close to perfection.

Having retired 26 straight batters at Wrigley Field, Pappas needed just one more out for a perfect game.

Stahl, then a left-handed hitter for the Padres, was summoned as a pinch-hitter by manager Don Zimmer.

After working the count to full, Stahl narrowly checked his swing on a critical pitch that just missed the strike zone, drawing a walk.

The call ended Pappas’ perfect game bid, although he retired the next batter to secure a no-hitter in an 8-0 Cubs victory.

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This single at-bat cemented Stahl’s place in baseball history.

Decades of Debate and Legacy

Pappas, who died in 2016, often expressed frustration over the missed perfect game, frequently directing blame at home plate umpire Bruce Froemming for not “helping” him make history.

Froemming, a legendary umpire with a career spanning 37 years and 5,163 games, passed away last month at 86 after a tragic fall, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport he loved.

Froemming’s life in baseball began as a semipro player before he transitioned to umpiring in the minor leagues at age 18.

He joined the National League staff in 1971, shifted to the unified major league umpiring crew in 2000, and retired in 2007, remembered for officiating a record 11 no-hitters.

Stahl’s Career Highlights

A native of Belleville, Illinois, Stahl enjoyed moments of statistical success, including a career-high .253 average with San Diego in 1971, alongside eight home runs and 36 RBIs.

His final MLB appearance came during the postseason with the 1973 Reds, where he notched two hits in four at-bats before retiring from professional baseball.

Impact and Consequences

Stahl’s brief yet historic at-bat highlights how a single moment can define a career.

It serves as a reminder of baseball’s fine margins and the way history can hinge on one swing, a lesson often referenced in discussions about near-perfect games and the pressures athletes face.

What’s Next?

Fans and historians are revisiting archival footage and accounts of the 1972 near-perfect game, reflecting on Stahl’s contribution to baseball history.

Tributes to both Stahl and Froemming are emerging, celebrating their decades-long dedication to America’s pastime.

Summary

Larry Stahl’s death marks the passing of a player whose career, while not hall-of-fame level statistically, is immortalized by a single defining moment.

His legacy is intertwined with one of baseball’s most famous no-hitters, reminding fans that even a fleeting moment at the plate can leave a permanent mark on history.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Larry Stahl, MLB outfielder and Belleville native, died at age 84 in Illinois.
• Best remembered for spoiling Milt Pappas’s perfect game with a pivotal walk in 1972.
• Played 10 seasons across four MLB teams: Athletics, Mets, Padres, and Reds.
• Career stats: .232 average, 36 home runs, 163 RBIs in 730 games.
• Home plate umpire Bruce Froemming, involved in the famous call, also recently passed away, leaving a storied legacy in baseball officiating.