His marriage to Dolores Stargell ended in divorce. He's the only guy I could have said that about. Tanner agreed that Stargell's personal magnetism was a key ingredient in the clubhouse. . Stargell's career moved to another level in 1971. He also posted a career batting average of .282, with 2,232 hits and 1,540 runs batted in. 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 was a seven-time All-Star and two-time NL home run leader. "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. With his towering shots earning him a reputation as a powerful left-handed hitter, he was called up to Pittsburgh in 1962. 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. 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. What was Willie Stargell's batting average? 1963 Topps No. 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. [15], After retirement, Stargell spent two years as a first base coach for the Atlanta Braves from 19861988, wearing his customary #8. Though he became quickly known as Willie Stargell, his autograph suggests that he preferred his given name, Wilver. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 and died on April 9, 2001. Willie Stargell died on April 9, 2001. Anyone can read what you share. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. [22], Stargell also worked to raise awareness of sickle cell anemia. Privacy Policy Frequent offseason conditioning problems came to a head in 1967, when Stargell showed up to spring training at a weight of 235 pounds. Mr. Stargell, 52, whose full name is Wilver Dornel Stargell, is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. For the third year in a row, he was narrowly edged out of the MVP award, as Pete Rose took the honor. 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. Willie Stargell played leftfielder and first baseman. However, it is known that he later moved to Florida with his aunt after his parents divorced. 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. Apart from that, as of 2019, the highest-earning MLB player is Stephen Strasburg, with an annual income of $38.3 million. Beginning in 1975, after years of experimenting at the position, Stargell moved permanently to first base. The Friday night lights at Taft High School are almost out. So they got the stadium. UC won, but it was a tainted victory to say the least. (AP). A clubhouse drug scandal and subsequent 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. They supported me when I was here, so I owe it to them to support them, said Ward, an All-American at Michigan and three-year pro. He believed you could do anything you want to do, Chapman said. Many of the football players came from homes with no fathers. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). ", Stargell played until 1982, but he never appeared in more than 74 games after 1979. And in a few weeks, crews will tear it downto make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. He was 61. Hall of Fame slugger Willie Stargell, who led the Pirates to two World Series victories with his tape-measure home runs, died of a stroke yesterday at age 61. 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. [11] He retired with 475 home runs despite playing much of his career at Forbes Field, whose center field distance was 457 feet (139m). He became the third player, after Lou Boudreau in 1946 and Joe Adcock in 1954, to collect five extra-base hits in one game. Wilver Dornel Stargell was born March 6, 1940, in tiny Earlsboro, Oklahoma, the son of William and Gladys Vernell Stargell. On April he was admitted at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. Stargell, 61, died from a stroke at 12:23 a.m. this morning at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. We can't be judged inadequate, he said, referring to racial prejudices. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Theearly '60s were the glory days ofTaft football. That included Jason and his twobrothers and two sisters, he said. By Alan Robinson MMI The Associated Press. 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. 1 in 1990, before the current stadium was built. Willie Stargell. The Friday night lights at Taft High School are almost out. 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. For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. Stargell. Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife, Margaret. He grew up in Oakland, Calif., where he was spotted by Pirates scout Bob Zuk while playing on a high school team. Stargelquickly won the respect and admiration of the team, according to a former player, Malcolm Lindsay Allen Sr. Mr. The Pirates retired his #8 Jersey. To see them for sale and auction on eBay, click the title of each. The next day it was Roberto Clemente. Batting leadoff, he hit a single off Steve Rogers. 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. "I think it's an awesome tribute to Dad,"said Jason,a Cincinnati firefighter and former UC football star like his dad. 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. We all stood together, Ward said. . "This team was much different than any team I played for," Candelaria . 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. 11 Copy quote. 1993 TED WILLIAMS #81 WILLIE STARGELL JSA CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC AUTO. "Willie was the silent leader of the team. He hit a second home run out of Dodger Stadium on May 8, 1973, against Andy Messersmith, measured at 470 feet (140m). He stayed active in baseball by performing various coaching duties for the Pirates and for the Atlanta Braves. 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. After years of suffering from a kidney disorder, he died of complications related to a stroke in Wilmington, North Carolina, on April 9, 2001. Mr. Stargell was a hero of the 1979 World Series team, which overcame a three-games-to-one deficit and cultivated its identity with the disco anthem "We Are Family." Stargell promptly did, the chicken was distributed - and Stargell sent Prince the bill. Stargell lost some of that weight, but gained weight again while working for the Pittsburgh front office.[19]. 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. Stargell is the only player to have won all three MVP trophies in a single year. 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. 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 1974, the seven-time All-Star was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award. But when UC got an invitation to play Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl in Texas, it came with one condition. He had been in the hospital recovering from gallbladder surgery at the time of his death. Mr. Stargell received a thunderous ovation in October during the Pirates' final game at Three Rivers Stadium. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. (His unusual first name was an amalgamation of his father's first name and his mother's maiden name). "He didn't just hit pitchers, he took away their dignity," former Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton said. One day it was Willie Stargell. April 9, 2001. He was a Seven Time All-Star. Thats part of the reason people were so upset when they first learned FC Cincinnati wanted to bulldoze Stargel Stadium and replace it with a new $250 million soccer stadium. 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 yet again in 1997 as an aide to general manager Cam Bonifay. Stargell won his second home-run title that year, edging out three Atlanta Braves: Davey Johnson's 43, Darrell Evans' 41 and Aaron's 40. She leases the space and saidshe was offered $20,000 to move. 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). Because of his race, he wasnt allowed to play against some southern teams, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia Tech. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Willie-Stargell, 8 (1977-1979, Pittsburgh Pirates) 8 (1970-1976, Pittsburgh Pirates) 8 (1962-1982, Pittsburgh Pirates). Willie Stargel's net worth and earnings are still under review. Willie Stargell was 6 feet and 4 inches tall in height with a bulky body that weighs almost about 90 kg. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 61 years old group. On August 1 of that year, Stargell collected five extra-base hitsthree doubles and two home runsin the Pirates' 2010 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Fulton County Stadium. He didnt hold a lot of resentment.. Died: April 9, 2001 . "When you had Willie Stargell on your team, it was like having a diamond ring on your finger," said Chuck Tanner, the Pirates' manager for Stargell's final six seasons. Margaret Weller (16 January1993 - 9 April2001)( his death), Dolores Parker (19 November1966 - 1983)( divorced)( 2 children), Lois Beard (14 May1962 - 1965)( divorced)( 1 child). Teammate Al Oliver once said, "If he asked us to jump off the Fort Pitt Bridge, we would ask him what kind of dive he wanted. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed He mistook the backfire from a car at a nearby rodeo for gunfire and his knees began to give way, he said, "But I went on to have a very good game.". He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. 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. "It hurt Pops, I think, a little when UC decided to go the bowl game and leave him home when (Virginia Tech) said they wouldn't play against UC because dad was on the team, but they took a vote and that was the leadership that was at the University of Cincinnati at that time," Jason said. 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 was born on March 6, 1940. What has changed is we lost, Trice said. Terms of Use, Willie Stargell with his first wife and son. 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. [21] Champion Enterprises sponsors a Willie Stargell Memorial Awards Banquet which raises money for disadvantaged children in Pittsburgh. 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. [13] The shot came in the second inning and chased starting pitcher Jim Bunning out of the game. "Nobody could hit a ball as far as Willie," Tanner said. A career .282 hitter with 1,540 RBI, he became the 200th person inducted to the Hall of Fame when he entered in 1988. Willie and his bat guided the Bucs to two World Series titles (1971, 1979) and was a seven-time All-Star selection. "He was the ultimate class act," McClatchy said. [17] Commissioner Peter Ueberroth later cleared Stargell and Madlock of any wrongdoing. Willie Stargell Birthday and Date of Death. Monica Williams is counting on that, too. Fri 20 Apr 2001 21.07 EDT. Then, his play on the field inspired his teammates and earned him the MVP awards in both the NLCS and the World Series. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. 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. Willie was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. The point here is that Amphetamines . On April he was admitted at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. 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. 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. They were swept in that year's NLCS by the Cincinnati Reds, but not before Stargell collected six hits in 12 at-bats, the most hits by either team in this series. Stargell refused to participate in the team's plans, still stinging from the team's refusal to even consider him for its managerial job that season. Great man. Honors and Awards The Pirates retired Willies' number 8 jersey in 1982. "[18] Stargell strongly denied these accusations. 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. JSA. Groundbreaking for Stargel Stadium in 2004. That's part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. When the job as head football coach at Taft opened in 1966, a white coach got it. ", For his first 10 years in the majors, Stargell was content to play in Clemente's shadow, even after he passed Clemente in production. display: none; 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. By this time next year, a new, thirdStargel Stadium is expected tobe built across the street from Taft, but the memories made on this field wont be forgotten even by players, coaches and parents who never knew him. Stargell was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 with an 82% vote. 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. Thats part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. 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. His height is 6 2.. Hall of Famer and 7-time All-Star who hit 475 home runs with . "Every one of them was giant," Tanner said. Lake Superior becomes hot spot for winter surfing And in a few weeks, crews will tear it down to make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. Trying to hit Sandy Koufax was like trying to drink coffee with a fork. Stargell died on . Willie was suffering from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure for a long time. Mr. Stargel kind of filled in that role for so many of us. "He's up there, and he knows the Pirates are opening today. Friday nights were our nights.. "In 1979 in Montreal, he hit a ball so far there they painted the seat gold. Willie Stargell (Wilver Dornal Stargell) was born on 6 March, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA, is an Actor. Apart from that, Willie was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller at the time he died. 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. 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 . Only 14 months later, Clemente was dead. Besides, these figures, however, vary according to the contract and the skills of the player. Others honored in this issue were Ted Williams, Larry Doby, and Joe DiMaggio. 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. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. 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. All Rights Reserved. Willie Stargell Early Life and Family While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Willie Stargell played leftfielder and first baseman. 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. Willie Stargell's widow, Dolores, said she, her children and grandchildren were "completely blindsided'' by his second wife's decision to auction the Hall of Famer's memorabilia, including his . They didn't know whether to pitch or run.". Born in Oklahoma on March 6, 1940, of African-American and Seminole Indian descent, Stargell himself listed the date as March 7, 1941. To remember No. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. 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. . 13 Copy quote. Willie Stargell was a professional baseball player originally from the United States of America. 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. Stargell died in a Wilmington, North Carolina, hospital on April 9, 2001. He has concerns over the West End's history and its future. Willie Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. For his first 10 years in the majors, Stargell was content to play in Clemente's shadow, even after Stargell surpassed him in production. 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. 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. 553 Stargell Rookie Card "He's Pittsburgh baseball," said Stephen Reiser, among the fans passing by the new stadium. Stargell finished atop the NL with 48 home runs in 1971 as he led the Pirates to the World Series title. Willie Stargell's net worth 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. 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.". 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. He's optimistic about what's to come and what he hopes will remain. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. He never played another game in the outfield. Stargell attended high school in California, where he attracted the attention of Pirates scouts and was signed to a minor league contract. Barring a home playoff game, the Senators play their final game at Stargel Stadium this Friday. He won the first of the three NL Player of the Month awards of his career in June 1965 (.330, 10 HR, 35 RBI). Alternate titles: Pops Stargell, Wilver Dornel Stargell. 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). He was a member of the Pirates' World Championship team, the Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. While playing for the Pirates' farm club in Asheville, N.C., he was nicknamed "On the Hill Will" for the long homers he hit onto a hillside far beyond the right field fence. WATCH StargelStadium dedication in 2004. His body was buried at the Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. Born in Oklahoma on March 6, 1940, of African-American and Seminole Indian descent, Stargell himself listed the date as March 7, 1941. While standing in the batter's box, he would windmill his bat until the pitcher started his windup. 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. I've been here - this is my 11th here, said Taft football coach Jeff Cargile. [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. Willie Stargell's weight was unknown. Willie Stargell was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993. 2was built in 2004 - four years after his death at the age of 67. Hence, she filed the suit in 1982 through attorney Richard Hughes, asking for $1,800 a month from her father. Stargell was one of two players to hit a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. In 1978, against Wayne Twitchell of the Montreal Expos, Stargell hit the only fair ball to reach the club deck of Olympic Stadium. Willie Stargell died on April 9, 2001, in Wilmington, North Carolina, of a kidney disorder. At one time, Stargell held the record for the longest home run in nearly half of the NL parks. He also led the league in runs batted in and slugging percentage. In 1977, Stargell hit his 400th career home run on June 29 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Stargel Stadium in the West End with the Downtown skyline to the south. Stargell began and ended the season as the Pirates' everyday left-fielder, but spent extended periods playing first base as well. 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. 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. Willie married Margaret Weller of Wilmington in 1993 at . "We molded together dozens of different individuals into one working force. Stargell's swings seemed designed to hit home runs of Ruthian proportions.