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[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. Stargell died yesterday of a stroke at age 61, and Pittsburgh mourned on a day that should have been set aside for glory, a day when the Pirates opened their new downtown ballpark featuring. "The whole family was just so excited when the Taft alumni suggested that the stadium, Taft Stadium, be named Willard Stargel.". [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. "My heart has not changed. 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. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Not just. [5], Beloved in Pittsburgh for his style of play and affable manner, Stargell hit seven of the 18 balls ever hit over Forbes Field's 86-foot-high right-field stands [6] and several of the upper-tier home runs at its successor, Three Rivers Stadium. Willie died on April 9, 2001 from complications related to his kidney disease - the same day PNC was opened. Willie Stargell - 1973 - 470 feet. The season was scheduled to end in a dramatic, four-game showdown against the Phillies in Pittsburgh, in which the Pirates had to win all four games to claim the title. A letter from Stargell's family was shared on Facebook about the situation, which begins: As Willie Stargell's children, we were completely blindsided to learn of the upcoming May 24th auction of . On April he was admitted at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, and with a deep, commanding voice, Stargell intimidated pitchers even before they delivered the ball by pinwheeling the bat in rhythm with their delivery. $60.00. In a 21-year-career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he hit 475 home runs and shared the National . "We won, we lived and we enjoyed as one," Stargell said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. In '79 he was the National League MVP, Championship Series MVP, and the World Series MVP, taking most of baseball's Top Honors for the year. [17] Berra said that he obtained amphetamines from Stargell and Bill Madlock; he said he could get them from Stargell "on any given day I asked him for one. Unlike Parker, whose popularity in Pittsburgh ended with his involvement in the drug scandal, Stargell remained one of the most popular athletes in the city's history and received thunderous ovations at any public function he attended. Wilver Dornel Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Okla., and grew up near Oakland, Calif. Live Death Statistics Worldwide and The United States. Stargell was a seven-time All-Star and two-time NL home run leader. If he hadn't played his first 8.5 seasons at cavernous Forbes Field, then the majors' most spacious ballpark, he probably would have hit more than 600 homers. [13] The shot came in the second inning and chased starting pitcher Jim Bunning out of the game. His 475 career home runs, 1,540. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Willie Stargell, 61, a hulking fixture of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won World Series championships in 1971 and 1979 and a baseball Hall of Famer who demoralized pitchers with towering. In 1979, he became the first and currently only player to win the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, the NL Championship Series MVP Award and the World Series MVP Award in one season. There's nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street. One of the loudest came during the Pirates' final game at Three Rivers on Oct. 1, 2000, several days after it was announced the statue would be erected at PNC Park. He is a celebrity baseball player. For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife Margaret. He also led the league in runs batted in and slugging percentage. 2001 The Associated Press. "We won, we lived and we enjoyed as one," Stargell said. "These days, not even a food truck, Williams said. And in a few weeks, crews will tear it down to make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. With a voice as big as his 6-foot-4-inch frame, Mr. Stargell intimidated pitchers as he set up at the plate with the distinctive pinwheel twirl of his bat that kept time with the pitchers' motion. It wasn't until 1960, when Stargell was 19, that the two men finally met. What was the cause of Willie Stargell death? Also learn how He earned most of Willie Stargell networth? On August 5, 1969, Stargell hit a home run off Alan Foster that left the stadium and measured 507 feet, the longest home run hit at Dodger Stadium. Willie Stargell, 61, a hulking fixture of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won World Series championships in 1971 and 1979 and a baseball Hall of Famer who demoralized pitchers with towering home runs belted during 21 seasons in the major leagues, died April 9 of a stroke at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. Besides, Stargell enjoyed another fine season in 1970, batting .264 with 31 home runs and 85 RBIs and finishing 15th in MVP voting. "We fought for those stars," former teammate Bill Robinson said Monday. Willie Stargell Early Life and Family The reason for the divorce is rumored to be due to the affairs Willie had with his second wife before their marriage. Unfortunately, he died on April 9, 2001, due to a stroke. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. } This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Willie-Stargell, Society for American Baseball Research - Biography of Willie Stargell, National Baseball Hall of Fame - Willie Stargell, Willie Stargell - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). He was a member of the Pirates' World Championship team, the Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. Privacy Policy 1963 Topps No. Willie Stargell's net worth 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 of a stroke at a medical facility in Wilmington, N.C. 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. Willie Stargell, byname of Wilver Dornel Stargell, also called Pops, (born March 6, 1940, Earlsboro, Okla., U.S.died April 9, 2001, Wilmington, N.C.), American professional baseball player who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to World Series championships in 1971 and 1979. [15], After retirement, Stargell spent two years as a first base coach for the Atlanta Braves from 19861988, wearing his customary #8. He suffered from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure. He was brought back briefly to coach in 1985, but Mr. Stargell never realized his goal of becoming a full-time manager of a team, though he served in the Pirates' front office and coached and scouted for the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. Stargell led the Pirates to World Series championships in 1971 and 1979, sharing the National League Most Valuable Player Award with Keith Hernandez of the Cardinals in '79 at the age of 39. 1993 TED WILLIAMS #81 WILLIE STARGELL JSA CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC AUTO. Willie Stargell Signed Baseball Treat Authentics COA Official League Baseball $59.00 $10.00 shipping or Best Offer Willie Stargell Signed ONL William White Baseball 1990's SUPER CLEAN Pirates COA $115.00 $11.45 shipping or Best Offer Willie Stargell Autographed Signed Official National League Baseball Pirates HOF $75.00 $5.99 shipping or Best Offer Stargel went on to UC and lettered in football, basketball and track and became one of UCs first black football players in 1942. Her business, Just Cookin', is feet from Taft High School and will have to move out to make room for the new stadium's construction. No one disagreed over the name, but there was some disagreement over how to pronounce it, Jason said. After he went off to World War II,he came back to UC in 1946 with one year of eligibility left and -- still the only black player on the team played end on offense and defense. "There was energy on the field when Stargell picked up the bat," Cromer said. He had problems with his kidneys for several years before his death. When the job as head football coach at Taft opened in 1966, a white coach got it. 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. Willie Stargell hit 475 home runs during his career. [8] He finished out the decade with a strong performance in 1969 (.307, 29 HR, 92 RBI), and finished 21st in MVP voting. However, some sources claim that the late player had a huge net worth of nearly $2 million. He won the final two NL Player of the Month awards of his career in April (.347, 11 HR, 27 RBI) and in June (.333, 11 HR, 36 RBI); yet he did not win the MVP award, finishing second to Joe Torre. Friday nights were our nights.. Stargell better known by his given name, Wilver (sometimes mispronounced as "Williver") during his Alameda days played his last major league game in 1982. In 1982, former teammate Steve Blass said of Stargell that, "Besides the records, stats and numbers, the thing that impressed me the most was that Willie conveyed to the fans how much fun he had playing the game.". 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. Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at the age of 22. [4] On April 7, 2001, two days before Stargell died, a larger-than-life statue of him was unveiled at the Pirates' new stadium, PNC Park, as part of the opening-day ceremonies. Count that, too, as part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. "Change is difficult. Willie Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at the age of 22. The practice began during the turbulent 1978 season, when the Pirates came from fourth place and 11.5 games behind in mid-August, to challenge the first-place Philadelphia Phillies for the division title. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940. 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. He never made anybody look bad and he never said anything bad about anybody. Stargell remains the oldest player to win an MVP award. Stargell's two home run titles came in his first three years at Three Rivers. On April 7, 2001, two days before Stargell died, a larger-than-life statue of him was unveiled at the Pirates' new stadium, PNC Park, as part of the opening-day ceremonies. Stargelleft Taft and went to Walnut Hills as head football and track coach. Born in Oklahoma on March 6, 1940, of African-American and Seminole Indian descent, Stargell himself listed the date as March 7, 1941. We have estimated Frequent offseason conditioning problems came to a head in 1967, when Stargell showed up to spring training at a weight of 235 pounds. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Stargell also had three homers, including the decisive shot in Game 7 in Baltimore, as the Pirates rallied from a 3-1 deficit to wrest the World Series title from the favored Orioles. Batting leadoff, he hit a single off Steve Rogers. I guess it was the best part of my younger life - good teachers, good coaches and,most of all, good students. Wilver was 61 years old at the time of death. Stargell died on the day the Pirates opened their new ballpark, PNC Park, where a 12-foot bronze statue of Stargell's likeness was unveiled Saturday. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Willie Stargell is a MLB baseball player. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 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.". He left center stage to the 38-year-old Clemente, who, fearful he would never play in another Series, turned the postseason into a personal showcase of his grace, talent and determination. Steelers' legend Franco Harris died Wednesday, just two days before the 50 th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception and just three days before his number 32 is retired by the Steelers during a game at Acrisure Stadium against the Las Vegas Raiders.. Pirates' legend Willie Stargell died just two days after his statue was unveiled outside PNC Park. Wilver Dornel Stargell was born March 6, 1940, in tiny Earlsboro, Oklahoma, the son of William and Gladys Vernell Stargell. He grew up in Oakland, Calif., where he was spotted by Pirates scout Bob Zuk while playing on a high school team. 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. A disease doctors call the silent killer was ultimately responsible for the death of baseball great Willie Stargell. He played alongside the man he credited with much of his success, Roberto Clemente, who died in a plane crash in 1972. PITTSBURGH (AP) - Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, the thunderous home run hitter who carried the Pittsburgh Pirates into two World Series with his power and helped win them with his patriarchal. A 12-foot bronze statue of Willie Stargell was unveiled at the left field entrance to the Pirates new ballpark in Pittsburgh on Saturday. UC won, but it was a tainted victory to say the least. Jason, though, said his father wasnt bitter about it. I understand that, Berding said. "We molded together dozens of different individuals into one working force. "Around here in the West End, there is no other stadium except Stargel Stadium where the Blacks could look up to and say, 'Hey, I knew him, " said Sterling Trice, Taft Alumni Association president. Stargell also threw out the ceremonial last pitch at Three Rivers Stadium before the team's move after the 2000 season. Stargell, who played for the Pittsburgh . To remember No. His batting average dropped more than 40 points that season from .315 in 1966 to .271 in 1967; his home run total was reduced from 33 in 1966 to 20 in 1967. "He didn't just hit pitchers, he took away their dignity," former Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton said. Willie Stargell was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993. At one time, Stargell held the record for the longest home run in nearly half of the NL parks. Apart from that, as of 2019, the highest-earning MLB player is Stephen Strasburg, with an annual income of $38.3 million. Too easy? That's how much respect we have for the man. Where is Willie Stargell buried? He had been in the hospital recovering from gallbladder surgery at the time of his death. In 1999, he ranked 81st on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players,[20] and was also nominated as a finalist for the MLB All-Century Team. Before one game in Texas, he was confronted by a man with a shotgun who threatened to "blow your brains out" if he played that evening. To get those stars from your leade and captain, that was special.". In 1982, the Pirates retired his uniform number 8. 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. The 2000 season last pitch at Three Rivers Stadium before the team 's move after the 2000 season the... For several years before his death sources claim that the two men finally met Stargell, who died a! Teammate Bill Robinson said Monday Stadium for FC Cincinnati entrance to the All-Star that... 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved the same day PNC opened... The age of 22 PNC was opened, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993 surgery at age. Problems with his wife Margaret however, some sources claim that the men. The same day PNC was opened 21-year-career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he died April. 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