In 1977 Stennett was in a fight for the batting title, ultimately hitting .336, when he suffered a catastrophic shattered leg. Was never the same again. Played four more mediocre years and was out of baseball at the age of 30.
As a 29-year old rookie in 1971, he hit .353 in a partial season to help the Pirates win the NL title and the World Series. He also hit .344 in AAA that season. Prior to his injury, they held him in high enough regard that they traded Willie Randolph away. After Stennett shattered his leg, the trade ended up badly for them.