Larry Stahl, the former Major League Baseball outfielder, died at 84 on Tuesday in Caseyville, Illinois. He was remembered primarily for his notable moment in MLB history when he disrupted a perfect game by Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas on September 2, 1972. At that time, Stahl was playing with the San Diego Padres and came in as a pinch hitter. His controversial walk, after working the count full, ended Pappas' perfect game bid, a moment that became a significant part of baseball lore.

Stahl's 10-season career in Major League Baseball included stints with the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite a relatively brief playing career, his legacy is particularly tied to that singular event in which he, against the odds, drew a walk that many pitches deemed close to being strikes. This act not only kept Pappas from achieving immortality with a perfect game but also highlighted the tension and drama that baseball can create.

In retrospect, Pappas later expressed his frustration with the umpire's call, stating that the pitches should have been called strikes. This controversy has led to discussions about the nuances of calling pitches and the subjective nature of the game, keeping Stahl's moment in the spotlight long after his career ended. As he is remembered, Stahl’s unexpected impact on a historic game illustrates how moments in sports can transcend individual careers, making him a notable figure in baseball history.