Larry Stahl, a former Major League outfielder who spent two seasons with the New York Mets, passed away on March 17 at the age of 84.
Over his 10-year MLB career, Stahl played for the Kansas City A’s (1964–66), Mets (1967–68), San Diego Padres (1969–72), and Cincinnati Reds (1973).
He made his only postseason appearance with the Reds in 1973, recording the final hit of his career in the ninth inning of the National League Championship Series.
Versatile in the field, Stahl covered all three outfield positions as well as first base. He finished his career with a .232 batting average, .292 on-base percentage, .351 slugging percentage, 36 home runs, and 163 RBIs across 730 games.
Stahl is perhaps best remembered for a single, historic check-swing. On September 2, 1972, with two outs in the ninth inning, he drew a walk against Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas, who was one out away from a perfect game.
The umpire ruled that Stahl had checked his swing on a full count, a decision Pappas would dispute for years.
Although Pappas retired the next batter to secure a no-hitter, Stahl’s walk remains a notable moment in baseball history, remembered as a dramatic twist that prevented a perfect game.
