Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940. 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. 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. 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. In his later life, Stargell had also suffered from hypertension and heart failure. We can't be judged inadequate, he said, referring to racial prejudices. "He didn't just hit pitchers, he took away their dignity," former Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton said. 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. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. It wasn't until 1960, when Stargell was 19, that the two men finally met. Because of his race, he wasnt allowed to play against some southern teams, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia Tech. The Pirates retired his #8 Jersey. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Pirates manager Chuck Tanner said of Stargell, "Having him on your ball club is like having a diamond ring on your finger." Stargell lost some of that weight, but gained weight again while working for the Pittsburgh front office.[19]. Trying to hit Sandy Koufax was like trying to drink coffee with a fork. He has concerns over the West End's history and its future. 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. This referred to Stargell's ownership of a chicken restaurant in Pittsburgh's Hill District. He was 61. 8, here are eight cards that spanned the slugger's career. So stick with us till the end. Willie Stargell Signed Autographed Perez Steele Celebration Postcard. Mr. Stargell, 52, whose full name is Wilver Dornel Stargell, is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. 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. 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). The first player to ever hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium is Pittsburgh Pirates legend Willie Stargell. UC won, but it was a tainted victory to say the least. The Willie Stargell Foundation transitioned to raising money for treatment of and research into kidney disease. Willie played his entire baseball career in Major League Baseball (MLB) as the left fielder and first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Willie Stargell died on April 9, 2001, in Wilmington, North Carolina, of a kidney disorder. In 1977, Stargell hit his 400th career home run on June 29 against the St. Louis Cardinals. At his urging as captain, the team adopted the Sister Sledge hit song "We Are Family" as the team anthem. 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. "He's up there, and he knows the Pirates are opening today. Then, his play on the field inspired his teammates and earned him the MVP awards in both the NLCS and the World Series. On a minor-league assignment for a team in New Mexico, Mr. Stargell recalled that he had to sleep in a rank-smelling bait shop and miss meals that his white teammates could enjoy because of the racial climate of the time. 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. 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. That's part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. There's nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street. With his towering shots earning him a reputation as a powerful left-handed hitter, he was called up to Pittsburgh in 1962. Wilver Dornel Stargell was born March 6, 1940, in tiny Earlsboro, Oklahoma, the son of William and Gladys Vernell Stargell. 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. Several current and former members of the Pittsburgh Pirates - Dale Berra, Lee Lacy, Lee Mazzilli, John Milner, Dave Parker, Rod Scurry - and other notable major league players - Willie Aikens, Vida Blue, Enos Cabell, Keith Hernandez, Jeffrey Leonard, Tim Raines, Lonnie Smith and . His spouse is Margaret Weller (m. 1993-2001), Dee Stargell. "November the 19th. And in a few weeks, crews will tear it downto make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. Jason Stargel says hes a soccer enthusiast and hes pro-FC Cincinnati, but he also wants to protect his father's legacy. 13 Copy quote. Stargell capped off the year by hitting a dramatic home run in Baltimore during the late innings of a close Game 7 to seal a Pirates' championship. But before Willie was born, his dad skipped town. Willie Stargell is a familiar name in the baseball world. 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. Kelli, also known as Wendy Rebecca Stargell is suffered from a developmental disorder and says she is unable to support herself. Where is Willie Stargell buried? For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. After hitting 32 homers uring a memorable regular season, Stargell had two more during an NL playoffs sweep of Cincinnati. And in a few weeks, crews will tear it down to make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. Stargell promptly did, the chicken was distributed - and Stargell sent Prince the bill. 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'd yell when one sailed over the fence. What we need to do now is to make sure that FC Cincinnati adheres to all those promises.". The Pirates postponed a formal ceremony dedicating the statue because Stargell could not attend. Willie Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at the age of 22. 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. Many in the West End community are not ready to let go of their historic field because of what it represents: a tribute to Willard Stargel, a former sports hero and a beloved Taft coach and teacher who overcame racism on the field and in the workplace. No one disagreed over the name, but there was some disagreement over how to pronounce it, Jason said. Barring a home playoff game, the Senators play their final game at Stargel Stadium this Friday. [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. 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. One day it was Willie Stargell. 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. 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. 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. Jason was just a kid at the time, but he heard the stories and saw evidence of his dads impact first-hand. Growing up in Pittsburgh, in an era when the Steelers were terrible every year, the Pirates, unlike today, were the team. While in Plainview, Texas, he was accosted at gunpoint by a man who threatened his life if he played in that night's game. Willie Stargell I see a lot of people who love their jobs. A 12-foot bronze statue of Willie Stargell was unveiled at the left field entrance to the Pirates new ballpark in Pittsburgh on Saturday. 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. Jason, though, said his father wasnt bitter about it. "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. He didnt let it hold him down and he wouldnt allow his children or the kids under his care to fall prey to that degree that it pushes you down to where you cant overcome it.. He is from USA. He doesn't just hit pitchers, he takes away their dignity." For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. It was about Willie Stargell, who, more than any player, delivered him and the Pirates their 1979 World Series championship. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 (age 60) in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. The reason for the divorce is rumored to be due to the affairs Willie had with his second wife before their marriage. After Mr. Stargell retired in 1982, the Pirates' fortunes sagged. 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. Pictured on one of a set of 4 USA nondenominated commemorative postage stamps issued 20 July 2013, celebrating Major League Baseball All-Stars. He would see to it that we got home after practice and he would make sure we got to school on time.. That was Stargel Stadium No. Stargel went on to UC and lettered in football, basketball and track and became one of UCs first black football players in 1942. 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. Stargel finally got his first chance to teach high school when Taft opened in 1955. Baseball, Coffee, Trying. He suffered from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure. $6.00 shipping. [7] He made his first of seven trips to the All-Star Game that year. Stargel helped UC to one its finest seasons, including a win over Indiana. Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at the age of 22. The current StargelStadium No. 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. When did willie stargell die? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. #inline-recirc-item--id-a4809f9c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-a4809f9c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Stargell enjoyed another fine season in 1970, batting .264 with 31 home runs and 85 RBIs and finishing 15th in MVP voting. 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 was born on March 6, 1940. 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) ( 1962 - 1982) with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 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. $4.99. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. He won the first of the three NL Player of the Month awards of his career in June 1965 (.330, 10 HR, 35 RBI). [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. 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