Monica Williams is counting on that, too. It proudly displays Willard Stargels name on the field, the press box, the scoreboard and the locker room building. 3. Trice was front and center during the fight to keep Stargel Stadium standing and keep FC Cincinnati out. The home run was his third of the series and, coincidentally, credited Stargell with the winning runs in both Game 7s of the two postseason meetings between the Pirates and the Orioles (1971 and 1979). However, he was 0-for-14 in the NL playoffs against the Giants and had only one RBI in the Pirates' seven-game World Series victory over favored Baltimore. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Pirates fell apart after Stargell retired in 1982. In 1974, the seven-time All-Star was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award. While in Plainview, Texas, he was accosted at gunpoint by a man who threatened his life if he played in that night's game. With Stargell batting cleanup for most of his 20-year career, the Pirates won World Series championships and NL pennants in 1971 and 1979 and six NL East titles from 1970-79. He played briefly for Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College before being signed to the Pirates organization in 1958 for a $1,200 bonus. But when UC got an invitation to play Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl in Texas, it came with one condition. Honors and Awards The Pirates retired Willies' number 8 jersey in 1982. All Rights Reserved. display: block; Apart from that, Willie was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller at the time he died. April 9, 2020 5 AM PT Willie Stargell, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series championships with his tape-measure home runs and patriarchal leadership, died on this date in 2001. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 (age 60) in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. What position did Willie Stargell play? [15], After retirement, Stargell spent two years as a first base coach for the Atlanta Braves from 19861988, wearing his customary #8. Many of the football players came from homes with no fathers. Besides, there is not much information regarding his family background. 1 in 1990, before the current stadium was built. Stargell reluctantly became the Pirates' leader upon Clemente's death in a Dec. 31, 1972, plane crash, saying, "There's a time in a man's life when he has to decide if he's going to be a man.". Clearly not in good health, Stargell wiped away tears from his eyes as he hugged several players amid a wave of cheers that rolled across the stadium. In a 21-year-career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he hit 475 home runs and shared the National . Stargell had been in failing health for several years due to a kidney disorder, according to officials at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C., where he died. The best offer he could get was teaching phys-ed in junior high, and he had to go back to summer school to get credits to qualify. Advertise with us For his first 10 years in the majors, Stargell was content to play in Clemente's shadow, even after Stargell surpassed him in production. [26], List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders, List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle, List of Major League Baseball home run records, List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise, "Willie Stargell at the Baseball Hall of Fame", "Biography: Stargell, Wilver Dornell (Willie, Pops)", "Obituary: Willie Stargell: Numbers couldn't measure the man", April 17, 1964 Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets Play by Play and Box Score, "September 30, 1978 Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score and Play by Play", "Montreal Expos at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score, October 3, 1982 | Baseball-Reference.com", "June 25, 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score and Play by Play", "Stargell's star a lasting tribute; Blast is marking point for all hitters", "Stargell was Pirates' inspirational leader in '70s", "In a time of upheaval, a constant remains Chipper Jones", "Willie Stargell Gave Out Amphetamines, Dale Berra Testifies", "Stargell hospitalized, undergoing treatment", "100 Greatest Baseball Players by the Sporting News: A Legendary List by Baseball Almanac", "Willie Stargell: Numbers couldn't measure the man", "Sickle Cell Society Inc/Murray Irvis Genetic Disease Center: A History of Care", "The Williie Stargell Foundation Website", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willie_Stargell&oldid=1132452504, September 16,1962,for thePittsburgh Pirates, October 3,1982,for thePittsburgh Pirates, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 8 January 2023, at 23:36. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 6 March. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. At 39, seemingly several years past his prime, and after knee injuries had robbed him of his mobility and some of his strength, Stargell's postseason performance was every bit as haunting and as driven as Clemente's. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid, Fiery train crash in Greece kills at least 36, injures some 85, Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak, House select committee hearing paints China as a strategic antagonist, JetBlue flight forced to abort landing in close call at Logan Airport, Three officers shot, standoff follows in Kansas City, Mo., police say, Vanessa Bryant, family settles claims over Kobe crash site photos for $28.5M, Bald eagle couple lays new egg after losing eaglets two years in a row, Lake Superior becomes hot spot for winter surfing. Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. Some of the 475 home runs he hit are among the longest in the game, including two shots that cleared Dodger Stadium and balls hit out of the old Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. He would see to it that we got home after practice and he would make sure we got to school on time.. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. Willie Stargell was 6 ft 2 inches, 188 lb (188 cm, 85 kg). The Pirates postponed a formal ceremony dedicating the statue because Stargell could not attend. The Pirates struggled early in Stargells career, but the team turned the corner in the 1970s, winning the National League (NL) Eastern Division title six times in the decade. A 12 foot bronze statue of Stargell was erected in front of the Pirates PNC Park to honor one of the town's true sports legends. He returned to the All-Star Game the next two seasons, hitting over 100 runs batted in (RBI) in both years, and finishing respectively 14th and 15th in MVP voting. [7] He made his first of seven trips to the All-Star Game that year. Clearly not in good health, Stargell wiped away tears from his eyes as he hugged several players, including catcher Jason Kendall, amid a wave of cheers that rolled across the stadium that he closed as impressively as he opened it. He grew up in Oakland, Calif., where he was spotted by Pirates scout Bob Zuk as he played on the same high school team as future majors leaguers Tommy Harper and Curt Motton. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Stargell remains the oldest player to win an MVP award. Besides, the duo was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Dawn Moore, and Precious Stargell. Despite developing a kidney disorder that required frequent dialysis, Stargell later worked in the Braves' minor league department for 10 years until returning to the Pirates in 1997 as an aide to general manager Cam Bonifay. One of the loudest came during the Pirates' final game at Three Rivers on Oct. 1, 2000, several days after it was announced a statue of him would be erected at PNC Park. Too easy? During his career, he batted .282 with 2,232 hits, 1,194 runs, 423 doubles, 475 home runs, and 1,540 runs batted in, helping his team win six National League (NL) East division titles, two NL pennants, and two World Series championships in 1971 and 1979, both over the Baltimore Orioles. Willie Stargell decided to award players with a gold star any time they had a good game or made a good play. Stargell had been in failing health for several years due to a kidney disorder, according to officials at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C., where he died. However, it is known that he later moved to Florida with his aunt after his parents divorced. Thats part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. Willie Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. Aman who stood as a shining example to generations that if you believe in yourself and work hard, you can break down barriers and succeed. The Sporting News ranks Stargell 81st on the top 100 baseball players of all time. However, it is known that the duo had a son, Williw Jr., and a daughter, Kelli. In 1978, against Wayne Twitchell of the Montreal Expos, Stargell hit the only fair ball to reach the club deck of Olympic Stadium. Wilver Dornell Willie Stargell (March 6, 1940 April 9, 2001), nicknamed Pops in the later years of his career, was an American professional baseball player. Upon the Expos departure in 2004, the seat was removed and sent to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. "I was like a kid on Christmas Eve who couldn't wait to open his presents," Stargell said of the mid-1970 move into Three Rivers. Barring a home playoff game, the Senators play their final game at Stargel Stadium this Friday. The Pirates retired his #8 Jersey. Also learn how He earned most of Willie Stargell networth? Among the most feared power hitters in baseball history, Stargell had the most home runs (296) of any player in the 1970s decade. [8], In the 1985 trial of alleged cocaine dealer Curtis Strong, Stargell was accused by Dale Berra and John Milner (both former Pirates teammates) of distributing "greenies" (amphetamines) to players. Baseball star Willie Stargell, who has died aged 61, was the first player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and did it twice. Enjoying his last big season in 1979although he did not hit well during the stretch drivethe 39-year-old Stargell tied Hernandez with 216 vote points, despite receiving only four first-place . Count that, too, as part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. Groundbreaking for Stargel Stadium in 2004. Three Rivers Stadium, a neutral hitter's park, boosted Stargell's power numbers. Stargell, a beloved figure in Pittsburgh and elsewhere in baseball, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. Willie Stargell, May 8, 1973. For a decade, BAF, renamed the Willie Stargell Foundation, raised research money and public awareness about the disease. [1], Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, but later moved to Florida with an aunt after his parents divorced. Willie Stargell Early Life and Family Wilver Dornell Stargell (March 6, 1940 April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" later in his career, was an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman who spent all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) (19621982) with the Pittsburgh Pirates. (His unusual first name was an amalgamation of his father's first name and his mother's maiden name). $4.99. "He was the ultimate class act," McClatchy said. Besides, Willie's 19-year old daughter, Kelli filed a lawsuit against her father asking the court to continue the financial support even after her 21st birthday. Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates Slugger, Dies at 61, https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/09/obituaries/willie-stargell-pittsburgh-pirates-slugger-dies-at-61.html. To remember No. Willie Stargell, whose graceful class and towering home runs made him one of Pittsburgh's most beloved sports heroes, died early today after a long illness. He was then pinch run by Doug Frobel and subsequently was replaced by Richie Hebner at first base.[12]. Only months from his 40th birthday, he made an unprecedented three-way sweep of MVP awards, sharing the NL award with Keith Hernandez of St. Louis and winning it in the playoffs and World Series - a feat still not matched. What was the cause of Willie Stargell death? "He said it's important that we be better. He would always say, Son, dont appear to be, but be. Theres a lot of people that carry themselves in a certain way, but then behind closed doors theyre not, andhe was really intent on me trying to be the person that you see all the time, Jason said. Years later, he said the nickname bestowed on that team -- the Family, from the Sister Sledge song, "We Are Family" -- wasn't a misnomer. Stargell never hit more than 33 homers in Forbes Field, but hit 48 in his first full season in Three Rivers in 1971 and had 125 from 1971-73 until knee and elbow injuries cut into his production. The Pirates retired his #8 in 1982 and erected a 12-foot bronze statue of Willie at the entrance to left at PNC Park (The Pittsburgh Pirates current home). In 1979 he won the regular season, NL championship series, and World Series Most Valuable Player awards en route to a second World Series championship. "[5], The Willie Stargell Foundation was established to promote research and treatment for kidney disease. [4] He might have quit baseball over the racial difficulties that he experienced, but he was encouraged by letters he received from friend and baseball scout Bob Zuk. He's the only guy I could have said that about. "You just felt for pitchers facing him. . The Pirates did win the World Series in 1979, in a similar style as they had ended the 1978 season: from last place in the NL East at the end of April, the Pirates clawed their way into a first-place battle with the Montreal Expos during the latter half of the season. Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife, Margaret. "Every one of them was giant," Tanner said. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. Stargell died in a Wilmington, North Carolina, hospital on April 9, 2001. 1940 Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. He won the first of the three NL Player of the Month awards of his career in June 1965 (.330, 10 HR, 35 RBI). For the third year in a row, he was narrowly edged out of the MVP award, as Pete Rose took the honor. 1963 Topps No. He doesn't just hit pitchers, he takes away their dignity." That included Jason and his twobrothers and two sisters, he said. Stargell lost some of that weight, but gained weight again while working for the Pittsburgh front office.[19]. Stargell's two home run titles came in his first three years at Three Rivers. Mr. Stargell said he opted to take the field. Willie Stargell. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 and died on April 9, 2001. Also in the stands was 74-year-old Carl Ward, a Taft football legend and one of four players from the great 1960 team that went on to playin the NFL. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. In 1973, Stargell achieved the rare feat of simultaneously leading the league in both doubles and homers. 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