Baseball Player Larry Stahl, Who Ended Near-Perfect Game, Dies at 84

Larry Stahl, who famously broke up a near-perfect game in 1972, has passed away at 84. This single moment is more remembered than his 10-year MLB career.
By Newsroom | Sports, Baseball |

A Noteworthy At-Bat Etches Name in Baseball Lore

Larry Stahl, a former Major League Baseball outfielder, has died at the age of 84. Stahl’s career, though spanning ten seasons and four different teams, is primarily remembered for a singular plate appearance that disrupted a historic pitching performance. While Stahl amassed a career .232 batting average, with 36 home runs and 163 runs batted in over 730 games, his name became indelibly linked to the near-perfect game pitched by Milt Pappas in 1972.

During that game, Stahl, batting for the Chicago Cubs, faced Pappas with the game on the line and no baserunners for the opposing team. Stahl worked the count full, and on the payoff pitch, controversially drew a walk after checking his swing. This single act ended Pappas’ bid for a perfect game, though Pappas did go on to complete a no-hitter in the same game. The home plate umpire for that pivotal moment, Bruce Froemming, also a veteran of numerous no-hitters, reportedly passed away recently, further cementing the enduring narrative of that specific baseball event.

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Baseball journeyman Larry Stahl, who famously spoiled a perfect game, dies at age 84 - 1

A Career in the Major Leagues

Stahl, a native of Belleville, Illinois, embarked on his Major League Baseball journey, playing for the Kansas City Athletics, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds. His playing days concluded with a total of 400 career hits. The circumstances of his departure from Pappas' perfect game bid have, in many respects, overshadowed his overall statistical output in the annals of baseball discussion.

The Shadow of a "Near-Perfect" Moment

Perfect games in baseball are exceedingly rare occurrences, making any interruption to such an attempt a point of significant historical interest. Stahl's role, whether viewed as a display of plate discipline or a moment of infamy, ensured his name would be remembered in baseball circles, albeit through a specific, highly publicized incident. The narrative surrounding this event has persisted, with Stahl himself often cited as the player who "spoiled" the perfect game.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Larry Stahl and why is he famous in baseball?
Larry Stahl was a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 10 seasons. He is most remembered for his role in a game in 1972 where he drew a walk, ending pitcher Milt Pappas' bid for a perfect game.
Q: When did Larry Stahl die and how old was he?
Larry Stahl passed away at the age of 84. The exact date of his death is not specified in the report.
Q: What happened in the 1972 game that made Larry Stahl famous?
In 1972, while playing for the Chicago Cubs, Stahl faced Milt Pappas of the opposing team with a perfect game on the line. Stahl walked after a full count, which ended Pappas' chance for a perfect game, though Pappas completed a no-hitter.
Q: Did Milt Pappas achieve a perfect game or a no-hitter?
Milt Pappas did not achieve a perfect game because Larry Stahl drew a walk. However, Pappas did go on to complete a no-hitter in that same game.
Q: How did Larry Stahl's role in the 1972 game affect his legacy?
Stahl's plate appearance in the 1972 game is the event most associated with his baseball career. It has often overshadowed his overall statistics and 10-season Major League tenure.