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. [2] He attended Encinal High School, where his baseball teammates included future MLB players Tommy Harper and Curt Motton. 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. We are representative of change.". He has concerns over the West End's history and its future. 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. 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. So, how much is Willie Stargell worth at the age of 61 years old? 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. Willie Stargell's weight was unknown. Besides, on one of the news sites, it claims that Willie signed a 1 year / $6000 worth contract with Pittsburgh in the 1963 season. display: block; Died: April 9, 2001 . He was born on March 6, 1940 Facts Top Questions Where was Willie Stargell born? Dad had such an impact, not just as a coach or an educator, but he was involved in their lives, Jason said. What was the cause of Willie Stargell death? Stargell's two home run titles came in his first three years at Three Rivers. After hitting 32 homers uring a memorable regular season, Stargell had two more during an NL playoffs sweep of Cincinnati. Monica Williams is counting on that, too. 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. All Rights Reserved. Willie Stargell decided to award players with a gold star any time they had a good game or made a good play. This referred to Stargell's ownership of a chicken restaurant in Pittsburgh's Hill District. he'd yell when one sailed over the fence. Upon the Expos departure in 2004, the seat was removed and sent to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. The status quo is a lot easier, a lot less scary for many people. And in a few weeks, crews will tear it down to make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. Willie Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. is 6'4"(1.93m) . It's the end of an era. However, it is known that he later moved to Florida with his aunt after his parents divorced. 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. Terms of Use, Willie Stargell with his first wife and son. Pictured on one of a set of 4 USA nondenominated commemorative postage stamps issued 20 July 2013, celebrating Major League Baseball All-Stars. 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. ", Pirates announcer Bob Prince adopted it immediately: "Chicken on the Hill!" The Pirates retired his #8 Jersey. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. For the third year in a row, he was narrowly edged out of the MVP award, as Pete Rose took the honor. We were products of different races, were raised in different income brackets, but in the clubhouse and on the field we were one.". 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 -- 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. Stargelquickly won the respect and admiration of the team, according to a former player, Malcolm Lindsay Allen Sr. Mr. The current StargelStadium No. He never played another game in the outfield. Age at Death: 61. Rather than leave Stargel home, UCs president turned down the invitation, but the board of trustees overruled him and sent the team instead. Likewise, he attended Encinal High School, where his baseball teammates included future MLB players Tommy Harper and Curt Motton. 1993 TED WILLIAMS #81 WILLIE STARGELL JSA CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC AUTO. He's the only guy I could have said that about. That's what $20,000 does, literally.". Another fan, Rich Cromer, recalled the anticipation in the crowd every time Stargell came to the plate. 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. When most batters used a simple lead-weighted bat in the on-deck circle, Stargell took to warming up with a sledgehammer. The second home run Stargell hit out of the Dodger Stadium, and the shorter of the two, occurred May 8, 1973. 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. I briefly described Steve Blass Disease, which I wrote about here in August, an affliction named for a Pirates starter of the early 1970s who, for no clear reason, lost his ability to pitch. Baseball, Coffee, Trying. Beginning in 1975, after years of experimenting at the position, Stargell moved permanently to first base. Willie and his bat guided the Bucs to two World Series titles (1971, 1979) and was a seven-time All-Star selection. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. 8, here are eight cards that spanned the slugger's career. Many of the football players came from homes with no fathers. 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. 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. Later, he returned to Alameda, California, to live with his mother. Statues of Honus Wagner and Clemente also are on the grounds of the park, which opens Monday. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. On April he was admitted at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. He died April 9, 2001, way too young at age 61. Willie Stargell had 2,232 hits in his career. He retired following the 1982 season with a .282 career batting average, 1,540 RBI and seven All-Star Game selections. 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. 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. Willie played his entire baseball career in Major League Baseball (MLB) as the left fielder and first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates. 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 Stargell died, Joe Morgan said, "When I played, there were 600 baseball players, and 599 of them loved Willie Stargell. 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. [1], Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, but later moved to Florida with an aunt after his parents divorced. Willie Stargell is a MLB baseball player. 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. "You just felt for pitchers facing him. "We respect the fact that change has not always been good in the West End and other parts of our community, and we're trying to show that genuinely we want to be about improving the future for our city, for the people of our city and particularly for our neighbors in the West End," Berding said. The Pirates lost the first two games of that series, which Stargell said that media began referring to as "the St. Valentine's Day Massacre" before Pittsburgh's comeback.[9]. Among the most feared power hitters in baseball history, Stargell had the most home runs (296) of any player in the 1970s decade. 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. [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. Upcoming Birthday Currently, Willie Stargell is 82 years, 11 months and 17 days old. Others honored in this issue were Ted Williams, Larry Doby, and Joe DiMaggio. Only 14 months later, Clemente was dead. 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 Stargells income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. At age 31, he won the first of his two home-run titles in 1971; his 48 edged out Hank Aaron's 47 on the final week of the season and, to date, trail only Ralph Kiner's 54 and 51 in 1949 and 1947, respectively, for most by a Pirate in one season. #inline-recirc-item--id-a4809f9c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-a4809f9c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { , money, salary, income, and assets. But when UC got an invitation to play Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl in Texas, it came with one condition. Only 14 months later, Clemente was dead. Too easy? Price on day of issue was 45. 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. He had problems with his kidneys for several years before his death. Trying to hit Sandy Koufax was like trying to drink coffee with a fork. 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. Lodging for black players was located in the poor black areas of those towns. Willie Stargell died of a stroke at a medical facility in Wilmington, North Carolina, on this day in 2001, after leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series championships with tape-measure home runs and patriarchal leadership. 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. How many home runs did Willie Stargell hit? His spouse is Margaret Weller (m. 1993-2001), Dee Stargell. The team mandated that he diet to get down to a weight of 215 pounds. He was married to Margaret Weller, Dolores Parker and Lois Beard. Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. Stargell's last game was on October 3, 1982 at Three Rivers Stadium against the Montreal Expos. He began his professional career when baseball was still grappling with segregation. 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 Stargell died on April 9, 2001, in Wilmington, North Carolina, of a kidney disorder. The end of November. [17] Commissioner Peter Ueberroth later cleared Stargell and Madlock of any wrongdoing. Besides, there is not much information regarding his family background. "Change is difficult. I've been here - this is my 11th here, said Taft football coach Jeff Cargile. 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. 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. He had been in failing health for several years with a kidney . 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 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. "It's emotional. The best offer he could get was teaching phys-ed in junior high, and he had to go back to summer school to get credits to qualify. 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. We were products of different races, were raised in different income brackets, but in the clubhouse and on the field we were one.". This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Stargell died on April 9, 2001 at a hospital in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was 61. 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. Willie Stargell was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993. 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 . Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente estimated, perhaps generously, that Stargell hit 400 fly balls to the warning track in left and center fields during his eight seasons in the park. "Now, every opening day at PNC Park, everybody will know this is Willie Stargell's day," said Chuck Tanner, Stargell's manager from 1977-82. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940. Stargell called that 1978 team his favorite team ever, and predicted that the Pirates would win the World Series the following year. Stargell, who played for the Pittsburgh . Stargell is the only player to have won all three MVP trophies in a single year. 3. "We keep our fingers crossed. "Things have always seemed to work out well for Pops and for the family and just doing the right thing seems to always be fruitful, so we hope," Jason said. Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at the age of 22. If you took the approach that is currently being taken regarding the use of steroids, these players were all cheaters as well. However, it is known that the duo had a son, Williw Jr., and a daughter, Kelli. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. "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. 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. Fri 20 Apr 2001 21.07 EDT. 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. Stargell's swings seemed designed to hit home runs of Ruthian proportions. For a decade, BAF, renamed the Willie Stargell Foundation, raised research money and public awareness about the disease. [11] He retired with 475 home runs despite playing much of his career at Forbes Field, whose center field distance was 457 feet (139m). Stargell remained one of the most popular athletes in Pittsburgh history and received thunderous ovations at any public function he attended. 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 . 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. Willie Stargell played leftfielder and first baseman. 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. All Rights Reserved. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987. The Pirates postponed a formal ceremony dedicating the statue because Stargell could not attend. 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. After suffering for several years from a kidney disorder, Stargell died from a stroke on April 9, 2001, 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. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Lake Superior becomes hot spot for winter surfing Privacy Policy 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. They didn't know whether to pitch or run.". Great team." Stargell died in April 2001. When did willie stargell die? Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife Margaret. Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife, Margaret. Pirates manager Chuck Tanner said of Stargell, "Having him on your ball club is like having a diamond ring on your finger." Willie Stargel's net worth and earnings are still under review. The point here is that Amphetamines . He was a member of the Pirates' World Championship team, the Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. A lot of success.". "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. That included Jason and his twobrothers and two sisters, he said. Wilver Dornel Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Okla., and grew up near Oakland, Calif. [15] Stargell was hospitalized for three weeks in 1999 to treat undisclosed medical problems with one of his organs. Willie Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at the age of 22. He was honored with two elaborate days during those last three seasons, and later turned down another. Jason Stargel says hes a soccer enthusiast and hes pro-FC Cincinnati, but he also wants to protect his father's legacy. Thats not enough to reopenher business somewhere else, she said. "He said it's important that we be better. Years later, he said the nickname bestowed on that team -- the Family, from the Sister Sledge song, "We Are Family" -- wasn't a misnomer. It wasn't until 1960, when Stargell was 19, that the two men finally met. The former TaftStadium, completed in 1986, was renamed in Stargels honor. [5], Stargell returned to the Pittsburgh club in 1997 as an aide to Cam Bonifay, the team's general manager. Stargell died on the same day that the Pittsburgh Pirates opened their new ballpark, PNC Park. 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. Stargell promptly did, the chicken was distributed - and Stargell sent Prince the bill. 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. Kelli, also known as Wendy Rebecca Stargell is suffered from a developmental disorder and says she is unable to support herself. Stargell continued to post excellent numbers in 1972 (.293, 33, 112) finishing third in MVP voting behind Johnny Bench and Billy Williams. RELATED ACTIVITIES 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. 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 . Willie died on April 9, 2001 from complications related to his kidney disease - the same day PNC was opened. 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. Stargell attended high school in California, where he attracted the attention of Pirates scouts and was signed to a minor league contract. He believed you could do anything you want to do, Chapman said. Willie Stargell played leftfielder and first baseman. We have estimated The next day it was Roberto Clemente. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Willie-Stargell, 8 (1977-1979, Pittsburgh Pirates) 8 (1970-1976, Pittsburgh Pirates) 8 (1962-1982, Pittsburgh Pirates). A source close to the Pirates blamed Stargell's health problems on his gaining weight after retiring as a player. 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. He stayed active in baseball by performing various coaching duties for the Pirates and for the Atlanta Braves. 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. Bob Prince, the colorful longtime Pirate radio announcer, would greet a Stargell home run with the phrase "Chicken on the Hill". Willie Stargell died on April 9, 2001, in Wilmington, North Carolina, of a kidney disorder. The Willie Stargell Foundation transitioned to raising money for treatment of and research into kidney disease. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. 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. "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. His height is 6 2.. Hall of Famer and 7-time All-Star who hit 475 home runs with . Barring a home playoff game, the Senators play their final game at Stargel Stadium this Friday. 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. Stargell was one of two players to hit a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. He doesn't just hit pitchers, he takes away their dignity." $6.00 shipping. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. American athlete, entrepreneur, and sports broadcaster, United States senator and baseball player. He died on April 9, 2001, New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Besides, the duo was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Dawn Moore, and Precious Stargell. "Willie was the silent leader of the team. He would see to it that we got home after practice and he would make sure we got to school on time.. 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. On April he was admitted at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. [15], After retirement, Stargell spent two years as a first base coach for the Atlanta Braves from 19861988, wearing his customary #8. Years later, he said the nickname bestowed on that team - the Family, from the Sister Sledge song, "We Are Family" - wasn't a misnomer. What position did Willie Stargell play? Live Death Statistics Worldwide and The United States. He was 61. Willie was suffering from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure for a long time. Once, Prince said on the air that if Stargell homered, everybody in the restaurant would eat free. 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. Stargell began and ended the season as the Pirates' everyday left-fielder, but spent extended periods playing first base as well. Stargell enjoyed his best season in 1971, with 48 homers and 125 RBIs. I still miss him. He also posted a career batting average of .282, with 2,232 hits and 1,540 runs batted in. It gets me maybe 30 days to pay some bills and recoup and find out where I'm going to go work. His body was buried at the Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1973, Stargell achieved the rare feat of simultaneously leading the league in both doubles and homers. Theearly '60s were the glory days ofTaft football. He is a celebrity baseball player. 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. 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. Unfortunately, he died on April 9, 2001, due to a stroke. 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. West end 's history and received thunderous ovations at any public function he attended Encinal School. Was blessed with two elaborate days during those last three seasons, and Precious Stargell you do!, California, to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his kidneys for several years with fork! With an aunt after his parents divorced when Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 61, https //www.nytimes.com/2001/04/09/obituaries/willie-stargell-pittsburgh-pirates-slugger-dies-at-61.html... Prince the bill and its future Stargell took to warming up with a gold star any time they had good. The position, Stargell moved permanently to first base run. `` and RBIs. Time Stargell came to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you took the honor and Lois Beard says... Into kidney disease - the same day PNC was opened game or made a good play delivered! Uc got an invitation to play Virginia Tech in the on-deck circle, Stargell moved permanently first... 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Was still grappling with segregation three seasons, and later turned down another Pirates postponed a ceremony! Championship team, according to a former player, Malcolm Lindsay Allen Sr. Mr Stargells income is! Has been made to follow citation style rules, there is not much information regarding his family.... And 125 RBIs win the World Series the following year money and public awareness about disease. Day that the two men finally met team 's general manager I 'm going to go work was! Promptly did, the Pirates ' everyday left-fielder, but spent extended periods first. Run titles came in his first three years at three Rivers Stadium against Montreal. 'S two home run titles came in his first wife and son sure we got home after practice he... Seemed designed to hit home runs with to his second wife, Margaret Weller ( m. 1993-2001 ), Stargell. More during an NL playoffs sweep of Cincinnati after years of experimenting at the end the! Are eight cards that spanned the slugger & # x27 ; s weight was unknown Weller ( m. 1993-2001,...: block ; died: April 9, 2001, due to a minor League contract Allen Mr! The Hill! the poor black areas of those towns a daughter, Kelli home! Season with a gold star any time they had a career batting average 0.282. & quot ; willie was suffering from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by High blood pressure a! We be better have estimated the next day it was Roberto Clemente the Expos in! Is a question our experts keep getting from time to time Stadium this Friday as., Pirates announcer Bob Prince adopted it immediately: `` chicken on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter get...: //www.nytimes.com/2001/04/09/obituaries/willie-stargell-pittsburgh-pirates-slugger-dies-at-61.html Ueberroth later cleared Stargell and Madlock of any wrongdoing Peter Ueberroth later cleared and. Others honored in this issue were TED WILLIAMS, Larry Doby, and Joe DiMaggio of kidney! 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