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Jackie Hernandez, former Pirates SS and 1971 World Series champion passes away.

In 1971, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jackie Hernandez fielded a ground ball and fired it to first base for the final out of a 2-1 World Series-clinching victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

This was a red-letter day in the history of baseball integration as the final game of the ‘71 series featured, for the first time, only African-american and latino players in the starting lineups.

Hernandez passed on Saturday, October 12th in Miami, FL at the age of 79.

A native of Central Tinguaro, Cuba, Hernandez played shortstop for the Pirates from 1971-73. He was a career .