Former Cubs player, coach Gene Clines dies

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Gene Clines, who spent parts of three decades in the Cubs organization as a player and coach, has died. He was 75 years old.

Clines was part of America baseball history in 1971 with the Pirates, when he was in MLB's first all-minority starting lineup alongside teammates including Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. Pittsburgh won the World Series that fall.

Clines spent his first five big league seasons with the Pirates (1970-74), then joining the Mets and Rangers for one-year stints before finishing his career with a three-season Cubs tenure (1977-79).

He joined the coaching ranks after his playing days, first with the Cubs and later the Astros, Mariners, Brewers and, under manager Dusty Baker, the Giants, before rejoining the Cubs in 2003 on Baker's staff.

Clines served as first base coach and later hitting coach under Baker through 2006. He finished his career with a multi-season tenure within the Dodgers organization.

The Cubs remembered Clines on Twitter with news of his passing.

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