Larry Stahl Obituary

Larry Floyd Stahl

June 29, 1941 - March 17, 2026



From humble beginnings came a humble, kind, & generous man who will be terribly missed by family & friends, acquaintances & admirers, for generations to come.



Larry Stahl was born in Belleville, IL and raised on a farm outside Smithton, near Padeborn, by his parents Edgar & Alice (nee Frantz), along with his younger brother & sister, Allan & Jane. On that farm, the siblings learned hard work, discipline, & love. They were even educated together in a one-room schoolhouse, Brick School, before being promoted to New Athens.



A southpaw from the Midwest, it was there at New Athens High School where Larry's athletic abilities really began to turn heads, especially those of Major League Baseball scouts.



Upon graduating in 1959, Larry was drafted into the US military. Wanting to meet his obligation to Uncle Sam, but still dreaming of baseball, Larry joined the Illinois National Guard Reserves, which allowed him to remain eligible for the MLB draft, where after 4 years as an amateur free agent, he went on to play in the majors for nearly a decade in all three positions of outfield, as well as first base. He also became a prolific pinch hitter.



And though not an MLB superstar, Larry was a solid, consistent player for 4 teams in those 10 seasons, with exactly 400 hits in 1,721 at-bats, 36 of them home runs, for an average of .232. His years with the San Diego Padres even earned him a saying by the team & their fans, "Mr. Stahl can do it all."



It was during his tenure with the Padres that Mr. Stahl became legend - and something of a cult hero. On September 2nd, 1972, as the 27th batter, Larry's checked-swing on a full count against the Cubs' Milt Pappas earned him a base-on-balls and thwarted what could've been a Perfect Game for Pappas to a "mere" No-Hitter, as Pappas retired the next batter. To his death, Pappas questioned that "ball" call by home plate Umpire Bruce Froemming. Froemming never wavered.



Larry made his first major league appearance on September 11, 1964, with the Kansas City Athletics. A week later, his first MLB hit, a ground rule double, took place at Yankee Stadium. Then, on the 29th in Minnesota, he cranked out the first 2 home runs of his MLB career in a single game against the Twins. A year later, on September 25th, 1965, Larry had the privilege of pinch hitting in an historic game with the legendary Satchel Paige. And on May 11, 1966, Larry hit one of the longest home runs in KC's Municipal Stadium history. The whopper was estimated to have traveled 503 feet before landing on Brooklyn Ave.



After the 1966 season, Larry transferred to the New York Mets, where he was an idol to a young, would-become-nationally-known sports guru, William "Willie" Weinbaum, who would later have the privilege of interviewing him.



1968 was when Larry joined the San Diego Padres. It was there that he had his longest stint (4 years), best year (1971), and, of course, became infamous as the spoiler walk in that Milt Pappas no-hitter. But what he may be best remembered for by his fellow teammates, according to one memorial, was his clubhouse leadership, upstanding character, and sought-after advice. Quote, "Larry was the teammate every ballplayer hoped for."



Finally, Larry finished his MLB career in 1973 with the Cincinnati Reds, with whom he finally saw post-season action in that year's National League Championship Series against The Mets. He played in 4 of the 5 games and batted .500. In game 5, Larry's final professional swing earned him a single which loaded the bases and set up the Reds for a rally. Unfortunately for the Reds, pitcher Tug McGraw retired the next 2 batters, spoiling the Reds' - and Larry's - chance to advance to the World Series.



Leaving the majors didn't mean leaving baseball, though, as Larry continued to play in local baseball & softball leagues with, and against, friends & family, and even fellow MLB Cardinals & Blue Jays coaching legend, and family friend, Rich Hacker. Things seemed to have come full-circle, as all those farm boys had grown up playing ball together &/or with each others' brothers.



Larry achieved trophies & accolades in other sports & gaming leagues in the area, as well, such as bowling, billiards, & horse shoes. He was a an avid deer hunter, and he even enjoyed a good dance now & then.



Of course, Larry was honored locally and regionally, being inducted into multiple sports halls of fame, but sports weren't Larry's only pastime & career or success. He spent many years with Peabody Coal in the International Union of Operating Engineers and was appointed by the Illinois State Senate to the Kaskaskia Regional Port District Board.



Then, from operating coal mining equipment to owning and operating Centerfield Tavern in Belleville beginning in the late 80's, Larry served up stories and good times to thousands of beloved patrons and friends.



Eventually, Larry closed Centerfield, which allowed him to "officially" retire, but it didn't slow him down. He continued to answer fan mail and sign baseball cards & other memorabilia, and enjoyed spending time with friends and meeting them for coffee or meals, nearly daily until the LORD called him home, safe!



An open house gathering in Larry's honor will be held on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, at The Quail Club, 8303 Concordia Church Rd., Belleville, IL 62223. Doors open at 3 pm.



To submit photos for the slideshow, please text them by July 20th, along with your name, to 919-523-1282. Thank you.