Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. Willie Stargell was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993. display: none; For a time, whenever he homered, Stargell's restaurant would give away free chicken to all patrons present in the restaurant at the time of the home run, in a promotion dubbed "Chicken on the Hill with Will". 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. Nicknamed "Pops," Stargell was a dynamic leader on the field with his tape-measure shots and a fatherly yet forceful presence off it, distributing his coveted Stargell stars for extra effort to teammates who proudly attached them to their ballcaps. In 1979, it was Stargell's turn to transform the World Series into a one-man act for an aging star. "I think it's an awesome tribute to Dad,"said Jason,a Cincinnati firefighter and former UC football star like his dad. Stargell played and nothing came of the incident. Aman who was a role model and a father figure to many of his players and students. He smacked a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium. Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. "I dreamed of the big crowds, artificial turf, our new tradition and my increased home run power.". He also reconciled with the Pirates after a public rift of undetermined origin in the 1980s that made fans boo him and caused the abrupt cancellation of a team-sponsored Willie Stargell night. "It means everything to the boys and to the parents and to the fans," Erica Bradley said while watching her son play in Tafts homecoming game two weeks ago. } Big and powerful at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, with a deep, commanding voice, Stargell intimidated pitchers even before they delivered the ball by pinwheeling the bat in rhythm with their delivery. 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. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Stargell, a beloved figure in Pittsburgh and elsewhere in baseball, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. Stargell enjoyed his best season in 1971, with 48 homers and 125 RBIs. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 (age 60) in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. 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 . [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 amid a wave of cheers that rolled across the stadium. Mr. Stargell, who was named the series' most valuable player, batted .400 and hit three home runs, including a shot in the sixth inning of Game 7 that gave the Pirates the lead for good over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. In 1982, the Pirates retired his uniform number 8. Tanner agreed that Stargell's personal magnetism was a key ingredient in the clubhouse. Stargell signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and entered minor league baseball in 1959. His spouse is Margaret Weller (m. 1993-2001), Dee Stargell. Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife, Margaret. Stargell's first wife, Dolores, kept detailed statistics on every ball he hit and estimated he would have had 22 more homers in 1969 if the Pirates had played in Three Rivers Stadium, which opened a year later. Stargell lost some of that weight, but gained weight again while working for the Pittsburgh front office.[19]. A powerful hitter, Stargell finished his career with 475 home runs, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he played parts of eight seasons in Pittsburghs cavernous Forbes Field. Willie and his bat guided the Bucs to two World Series titles (1971, 1979) and was a seven-time All-Star selection. Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. It just allows us to realize Dad had an impact in the community that so many of the African-American populous grew up in back in the '40s and '50s, Jason said. Mr. Stargell, a seven-time National League All-Star, is the Pirates' all-time leader in home runs, RBI and extra-base hits. The Pirates unveiled the 12-foot high statute of Stargell on Saturday. "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. Wilver Dornel Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Okla., and grew up near Oakland, Calif. By Alan Robinson MMI The Associated Press. Many of the football players came from homes with no fathers. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { The current StargelStadium No. What we need to do now is to make sure that FC Cincinnati adheres to all those promises.". At one time, Stargell held the record for the longest home run in nearly half of the NL parks. He hit seven of the 18 homers over the right-field roof at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field from 1909-70 and once held the record for the longest homer in nearly half of the National League parks. Likewise, Max Scherzer stands in the second position with an annual income of $37.4 million and Zack Greinke stands in the third position with an annual salary of $34.5 million. Willie Stargell had a career batting average of 0.282. 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. $60.00. Unfortunately, he died on April 9, 2001, due to a stroke. 5d 22h. We have estimated The point here is that Amphetamines . Great team." Stargell died in April 2001. [2] He attended Encinal High School, where his baseball teammates included future MLB players Tommy Harper and Curt Motton. The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of Stargell, 61, died from a stroke at 12:23 a.m. this morning at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. The 1979 World Series victory also made the Pirates the only franchise in baseball history to twice recover from a three-games-to-one deficit and win a World Series (previously they had done so in 1925 against the Washington Senators). } 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. Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series titles with tape-measure home runs and patriarchal leadership that earned him the nickname "Pops," died . Stargell. . He was subjected to racism in the minor leagues, where an angry fan once confronted him with a shotgun. he'd yell when one sailed over the fence. Willie Stargell. Further details are below. He retired following the 1982 season with a .282 career batting average, 1,540 RBI and seven All-Star Game selections. Friday nights were our nights.. In addition to his NLCS and World Series MVP awards, Stargell finally took home the elusive MVP award (as co-winner along with St. Louis' Keith Hernandez) at the age of 39. And he told Jason, in particular, to be himself. Willie Stargell played leftfielder and first baseman. Willie Stargell played leftfielder and first baseman. He also posted a career batting average of .282, with 2,232 hits and 1,540 runs batted in. He remains the oldest player to win an MVP award. To remember No. His marriage to Dolores Stargell ended in divorce. 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. Survivors include his wife of eight years, Margaret Weller-Stargell of Wilmington; four daughters, Precious Stargell and Dawn Stargell Moore, both of Atlanta, Wendy Stargell of Claremont, Calif., and Kelli Stargell of Herndon; a son, Wilver Jr., of Atlanta; his mother; a sister; and five grandchildren. Forty years ago today, Willie Stargell did something that no one else had ever done before and no one else had ever done since. Willie Stargell died on April 9, 2001. To see them for sale and auction on eBay, click the title of each. Besides, there is not much information regarding his family background. Stargell was a seven-time All-Star and two-time NL home run leader. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Standing 6ft 3in (1.91m) with long arms and a unique bat-handling practice of holding only the knob of the bat with his lower hand to provide extra bat extension, Stargell seemed larger than most batters. "You just felt for pitchers facing him. A 12-foot bronze statue of Willie Stargell was unveiled at the left field entrance to the Pirates new ballpark in Pittsburgh on Saturday. In the same game, teammate Bob Robertson also collected five hits, including a home run; not until Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones in 2012 would two Pirates collect five hits in the same game. Stargell died on . Willie Stargell hit 475 home runs during his career. 1 in 1990, before the current stadium was built. His wife is Margaret Weller (16 January1993 - 9 April2001)( his death), Dolores Parker (19 November1966 - 1983)( divorced)( 2 children), Lois Beard (14 May1962 - 1965)( divorced)( 1 child). Only four other home runs have been hit out of Dodger Stadium. In 1988, Stargell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Pirates retired his number. His body was buried at the Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. 13 Copy quote. For the series, Stargell went 12-for-30; along with his three home runs, he also recorded four doubles for 25 total bases, which remains tied as a World Series record, Reggie Jackson having set it in the 1977 World Series, and his seven extra-base hits (three HRs and four doubles) in the 1979 World Series also set a record. [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. During a drug trafficking trial back in 1985, names like Willie Stargell, Willie Mays, Dave Parker, Bill Madlock and Dale Berra were all mentioned as players who used greenies. What was the cause of Willie Stargell death? [5], Stargell returned to the Pittsburgh club in 1997 as an aide to Cam Bonifay, the team's general manager. "He didn't just hit pitchers, he took away their dignity," former Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton said. The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Willie Stargell is a MLB baseball player. Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series victories with his tape-measure home runs and patriarchal leadership, died Monday after a long illness. The Hall of Famer who . Willard Stargel made a name for himself at Old Woodward High School, where he was astandout football end and basketball guard and the city high hurdles champion for two years running and jumping. Stargell was named to the NL All-Star team seven times and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., in 1988. Stargell enjoyed another fine season in 1970, batting .264 with 31 home runs and 85 RBIs and finishing 15th in MVP voting. However, this news has not been officially confirmed. Stargell's career took off after the Pirates vacated Forbes Field's vast acreage for symmetrical Three Rivers and its 375-foot power alley. Starting in 1981, sickle cell awareness and fundraising was gradually being assumed by The Sickle Cell Society Inc. 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. 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. He stayed active in baseball by performing various coaching duties for the Pirates and for the Atlanta Braves. display: block; In a 21-year-career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he hit 475 home runs and shared the National . 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. Stargell began and ended the season as the Pirates' everyday left-fielder, but spent extended periods playing first base as well. Stargell died on April 9, 2001 at a hospital in Wilmington, North Carolina. WATCH StargelStadium dedication in 2004. Stargell, who played for the Pittsburgh . [13] The shot came in the second inning and chased starting pitcher Jim Bunning out of the game. , money, salary, income, and assets. [22], Stargell also worked to raise awareness of sickle cell anemia. Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. One day it was Willie Stargell. 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. Despite playing the front half of his career in Forbes Field, a graveyard for left-handed hitters with a right-field power alley of 436 feet, Stargell averaged 24 homers from 1963-69. In 1973, Stargell achieved the rare feat of simultaneously leading the league in both doubles and homers. Pictured on one of a set of 4 USA nondenominated commemorative postage stamps issued 20 July 2013, celebrating Major League Baseball All-Stars. April 9, 2001. Stargell originated the practice of giving his teammates embroidered "Stargell stars" for their caps after a nice play or a good game. RELATED ACTIVITIES He had to suffer from quite complications in his love life. [1], Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, but later moved to Florida with an aunt after his parents divorced. But Berding saidthey're trying to retain the neighborhood's character and complexion. Prince himself once promised free chicken to listeners if Stargell hit a home run; Stargell did homer and Prince picked up a $400 bill at the restaurant. Willie was suffering from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure for a long time. The Sporting News ranks Stargell 81st on the top 100 baseball players of all time. Willie Stargell Signed Autographed Perez Steele Celebration Postcard. Willie Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. "He said it's important that we be better. Apart from that, he holds American nationality and was of white ethnicity. Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who led the Pirates to two World Series victories with his tape-measure homers, died of a stroke Monday at age 61. They excited fans with numerous come-from-behind victories along the way (many during their final at-bat) to claim the division pennant on the last day of the season. He became assistant football coach and, over time, head track coach, but he never got to be head football coach at Taft. Corrections? Later, he returned to Alameda, California, to live with his mother. 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. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. "He was the ultimate class act," McClatchy said. Among the most feared power hitters in baseball history, Stargell had the most home runs (296) of any player in the 1970s decade. Chapman, a 5-3, 120-pound running back when he started playing football at Taft, said he earned a football scholarship at Northern Illinois thanks to Stargel. Trying to win back their disillusioned fans during that 104-loss season, the Pirates had rehired Stargell as a coach but he left again a year later to rejoin Tanner, who was hired by the Atlanta Braves after being fired in Pittsburgh. The next day it was Roberto Clemente. It gets me maybe 30 days to pay some bills and recoup and find out where I'm going to go work. The direct cause of his death was complications from a stroke. Born in Oklahoma on March 6, 1940, of African-American and Seminole Indian descent, Stargell himself listed the date as March 7, 1941. Stargell's two home run titles came in his first three years at Three Rivers. 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. [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. Willie Stargell, whose great menacing bat and gentle patriarch's compassion were the hallmarks of his singular 21-year-career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, died of a stroke shortly after. And in a few weeks, crews will tear it down to make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. In the top pf the 13th, Willie Stargell clubbed a two-run blast into the right field bleachers, spoiling the joyous coming out party for the new Atlanta Braves. 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. Known as "Pops" to fans and to the teammates who benefited from his fatherly presence, Mr. Stargell died two days after a 12-foot bronze statue of him in a batting stance was unveiled at PNC Park, where the Pirates played for the first time yesterday and where a moment of silence was invoked. After Mr. Stargell retired in 1982, the Pirates' fortunes sagged. Count that, too, as part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. The Friday night lights at Taft High School are almost out. Discover Willie Stargell's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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.". I didnt even realize Dad wasnt a head coach until my later years in life because it was just so unthought of to me that Dad wasnt the head coach because of so many people reaching out to him. 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). Willie was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. The spot where the ball landed was eventually marked with a yellow star with a black "S" inside a white circle until Stargell's 2001 death, when the white circle was painted black. That's how much respect we have for the man. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. After hitting 32 homers during a memorable regular season, he had two more during an NL playoff sweep of Cincinnati. 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. 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. . In 1979, it was Stargell's turn to transform the World Series into a one-man act for an aging star. Works: Willie Stargell: An Autobiography. Stargell remained one of the most popular athletes in Pittsburgh history and received thunderous ovations at any public function he attended. So, how much is Willie Stargell worth at the age of 61 years old? Mr. Stargel kind of filled in that role for so many of us. Apart from that, as of 2019, the highest-earning MLB player is Stephen Strasburg, with an annual income of $38.3 million. Dad was an educator about life and teaching people how to walk.". [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. In his later life, Stargell had also suffered from hypertension and heart failure. Besides, these figures, however, vary according to the contract and the skills of the player. Willard Stargel and UC teammates from 1946 (Courtesy of University of Cincinnati Archives & Rare Books Library). 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. He was the first minor-league hitting coach for Chipper Jones. 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. The Willie Stargell Foundation transitioned to raising money for treatment of and research into kidney disease. Willie Stargell Early Life and Family Stargelleft Taft and went to Walnut Hills as head football and track coach. 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. Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife Margaret. His 1963 rookie season was lackluster, but he enjoyed much more success the following season, his first as an everyday player. [15] Stargell was hospitalized for three weeks in 1999 to treat undisclosed medical problems with one of his organs. Jason Stargel says hes a soccer enthusiast and hes pro-FC Cincinnati, but he also wants to protect his father's legacy. In seven of the next nine seasons, Stargell finished in the top 10 in MVP voting, as his career moved onto a Hall of Fame track. Besides, on one of the news sites, it claims that Willie signed a 1 year / $6000 worth contract with Pittsburgh in the 1963 season. #inline-recirc-item--id-a4809f9c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-a4809f9c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { 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 . After years of suffering from a kidney disorder, he died of complications related to a stroke in Wilmington, North Carolina, on April 9, 2001. He has concerns over the West End's history and its future. 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. 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. In that game, Joe Torre hit two homers in a losing cause In 1972, against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Stargell launched a home run off Claude Osteen that was . Dad had such an impact, not just as a coach or an educator, but he was involved in their lives, Jason said. He was 61. I still miss him. Jeff Berding, the soccer clubs president and general manager, knows growing pains exist. Beginning in 1975, after years of experimenting at the position, Stargell moved permanently to first base. Stargell better known by his given name, Wilver (sometimes mispronounced as "Williver") during his Alameda days played his last major league game in 1982. Willie married Margaret Weller of Wilmington in 1993 at . I guess it was the best part of my younger life - good teachers, good coaches and,most of all, good students. "We fought for those stars," former teammate Bill Robinson said Monday. He never made anybody look bad and he never said anything bad about anybody. Stargell was one of two players to hit a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. The Pirates fell apart after Stargell retired in 1982. Willie played his entire baseball career in Major League Baseball (MLB) as the left fielder and first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates. 1993 TED WILLIAMS #81 WILLIE STARGELL JSA CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC AUTO. 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 was a member of the Pirates' World Championship team, the Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. "My heart has not changed. Willie Stargell's weight was unknown. Barring a home playoff game, the Senators play their final game at Stargel Stadium this Friday. A segment of Stargell's bowel was removed more than two years before he died. We were products of different races, were raised in different income brackets, but in the clubhouse and on the field we were one.". Trying to hit Sandy Koufax was like trying to drink coffee with a fork. Stargel should have been the head coach, but at the time there were no black head coaches in the PHSL, Allen wrote in a book, 100 OrSo Boyhood Memories of the Real West Endies., Even though we loved Joe Corcoran (the white head coach), our confidant was Mr. Stargel He knew, better than we, what was what., He was sort of like a father to many of us, Bobby Chapman, who played at Taft in the late 50s, said in an Enquirer article in 1990. He would see to it that we got home after practice and he would make sure we got to school on time.. [15] As his death occurred on the same day as the official opening of the stadium against the Reds, the statue served as a de facto memorial for Stargell. (Hebner had a .938 OPS and 30 home runs in 647 career at-bats against . He was 61. 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.
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