Jason Stargel says hes a soccer enthusiast and hes pro-FC Cincinnati, but he also wants to protect his father's legacy. If he hadn't played his first 8 seasons at cavernous Forbes Field, then the majors' most spacious ballpark, he probably would have hit more than 600 homers. Unfortunately, there are no details regarding their marriage. [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. Despite being overshadowed at times by more prolific home run hitters Hank Aaron and Willie Mays, and by the play of his own Hall of Fame teammate, Roberto Clemente, Stargell's sheer power was unrivaled. "We molded together dozens of different individuals into one working force. Willie Stargell played leftfielder and first baseman. Mr. Stargell, 52, whose full name is Wilver Dornel Stargell, is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1979, it was Stargell's turn to transform the World Series into a one-man act for an aging star. }, First published on April 9, 2001 / 8:32 AM. (His unusual first name was an amalgamation of his father's first name and his mother's maiden name). However, he was 0-for-14 in the NL playoffs against the Giants and had only one RBI in the Pirates' 7-game World Series victory over favored Baltimore. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940. 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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. The Pirates unveiled the 12-foot high statute of Stargell on Saturday. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Jason Stargel sat in the empty stands during a sunny afternoon last week and explained what his fathers name on the stadium has meant to his family. This referred to Stargell's ownership of a chicken restaurant in Pittsburgh's Hill District. Stargel was prepared to teach high school math after getting a bachelors degree in 1947 and a Masters in 1952, but Cincinnati Public Schools didnt hire blacks to teach high school, he said. } Not just. Stargel Stadium in the West End with the Downtown skyline to the south. What position did Willie Stargell play? He was always around the kids and it was evident as they grew up and paid homage to him and Id just be in the company of these wonderful people from Taft who would tell me to scoot over so they could sit next to Dad. Stargell connected off Andy Messersmith to send the . While standing in the batter's box, he would windmill his bat until the pitcher started his windup. Years later, he said the nickname bestowed on that team -- the Family, from the Sister Sledge song, "We Are Family" -- wasn't a misnomer. He began his professional career when baseball was still grappling with segregation. 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. The status quo is a lot easier, a lot less scary for many people. 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. 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. 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. display: block; They didn't know whether to pitch or run.". PITTSBURGH -- Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, the thunderous home run hitter who carried the Pittsburgh Piratesinto two World Series with his power and helped win them with his patriarchal. The short fence in right field (300 feet (91m) to the foul pole) at Forbes Field was guarded by a screen more than 20 feet (6.1m) high which ran from the right-field line to the 375-foot (114m) mark in right center. In 1988, Stargell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Pirates retired his number. The team mandated that he diet to get down to a weight of 215 pounds. 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. But when UC got an invitation to play Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl in Texas, it came with one condition. A clubhouse drug scandal and subequent 1985 federal court trial in Pittsburgh implicated more than 30 major leaguers and badly tarnished not only the Pirates' image, but baseball's as well. His 1963 rookie season was lackluster, but he enjoyed much more success the following season, his first as an everyday player. [15], After retirement, Stargell spent two years as a first base coach for the Atlanta Braves from 19861988, wearing his customary #8. After suffering for several years from a kidney disorder, Stargell died from a stroke on April 9, 2001, in Wilmington, N.C. One of the greatest home run hitters ever, in volume and in distance, Stargell hit 475 homers -- many of them soaring, majestic shots that rattled a pitcher's confidence. 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. Only 14 months later, Clemente was dead. In a 21-year-career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he hit 475 home runs and shared the National . 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 . He remains the oldest player to win an MVP award. Stargell died of a stroke two days after a 12-foot (4-metre) bronze statue of him was unveiled at the opening of the Pirates new stadium, PNC Park. He played briefly for Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College before being signed to the Pirates organization in 1958 for a $1,200 bonus. The team had a personal trainer work with Stargell before the 1968 season to get him in the best shape of his career, but Stargell had a poor season and manager Larry Shepard criticized Stargell's physique as too muscular. Stargell promptly did, the chicken was distributed - and Stargell sent Prince the bill. PITTSBURGH -- 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 leadership, died. No bother: I named Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen and Danny Murtaugh. Willie Stargell died on April 9, 2001, in Wilmington, North Carolina, of a kidney disorder. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. "Those were precious. 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. There's nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street. Groundbreaking for Stargel Stadium in 2004. However, this news has not been officially confirmed. Stargell remains the oldest player to win an MVP award. Willie Stargell. Dodger Hall of Famer Don Sutton said of Stargell, "I never saw anything like it. 553 Stargell Rookie Card That was Stargel Stadium No. Willie was suffering from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure for a long time. Willie Stargell was a professional baseball player originally from the United States of America. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. JSA. Among the most feared power hitters in baseball history, Stargell had the most home runs (296) of any player in the 1970s decade. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. A plaque of Willard Stargel hangs on the wall facing the field. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Willie married Margaret Weller of Wilmington in 1993 at . Great man. $6.00 shipping. He made his major league debut with the Piratesthe team he would spend his entire 21-season career within 1962 and was selected to his first All-Star team in 1964. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. 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. "My heart has not changed. 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. 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. 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. He formed the Black Athletes Foundation (BAF) shortly after President Richard M. Nixon identified the disease as a "national health problem" in the early 1970s. 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. 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. He was married to Margaret Weller, Dolores Parker and Lois Beard. 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. Mr. Stargell, a seven-time National League All-Star, is the Pirates' all-time leader in home runs, RBI and extra-base hits. Aman who was a role model and a father figure to many of his players and students. The reason for the divorce is rumored to be due to the affairs Willie had with his second wife before their marriage. We were products of different races, were raised in different income brackets, but in the clubhouse and on the field we were one.". Too easy? is 6'4"(1.93m) . Barring a home playoff game, the Senators play their final game at Stargel Stadium this Friday. "He believed you could do anything . Stargelwas head football coach at Walnut Hills through 1978 but remained a fixture in the West End. display: none; Another fan, Rich Cromer, recalled the anticipation in the crowd every time Stargell came to the plate. That's part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. His 1963 rookie season was lackluster, but he enjoyed much more success the following season, his first as an everyday player. Willie and his bat guided the Bucs to two World Series titles (1971, 1979) and was a seven-time All-Star selection. 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. 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. He died April 9, 2001, way too young at age 61. April 9, 2001. Anyone can read what you share. "It's emotional. Willard Stargel and UC teammates from 1946 (Courtesy of University of Cincinnati Archives & Rare Books Library). 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. 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. He never played another game in the outfield. The Pirates fell apart after Stargell retired in 1982. Willie was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. The Sporting News ranks Stargell 81st on the top 100 baseball players of all time. Dad had such an impact, not just as a coach or an educator, but he was involved in their lives, Jason said. (Hebner had a .938 OPS and 30 home runs in 647 career at-bats against . 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. For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. [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. His body was buried at the Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. 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. Member of the legacy of Willard Stargel and UC teammates from 1946 ( Courtesy of University of Cincinnati &... Stargell on Saturday on March 6, 1940 distributed - and Stargell sent the... Is rumored to be due to the south batter 's box, he would windmill his bat guided the to! The left fielder and first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates the left fielder first. 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