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 believed you could do anything you want to do, Chapman said. Stargell called that 1978 team his favorite team ever, and predicted that the Pirates would win the World Series the following year. However, it is known that he later moved to Florida with his aunt after his parents divorced. Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. What has changed is we lost, Trice 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. Because of his race, he wasnt allowed to play against some southern teams, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia Tech. I still miss him. 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). He had three homers, including the decisive shot in Game 7 in Baltimore, as the Pirates rallied from a 3-1 deficit to wrest the World Series from the favored Orioles. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. "He said it's important that we be better. 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. In 1977, Stargell hit his 400th career home run on June 29 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Margaret Weller (16 January1993 - 9 April2001)( his death), Dolores Parker (19 November1966 - 1983)( divorced)( 2 children), Lois Beard (14 May1962 - 1965)( divorced)( 1 child). For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. 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. Once, Prince said on the air that if Stargell homered, everybody in the restaurant would eat free. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Following a Pirate sweep of the Friday-night double-header, Stargell belted a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning of the season's penultimate game to give the Pirates an early 41 lead, although the Pirates relinquished that lead later in the game and fell two runs short after a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning,[10] thus eliminating themselves from contention for the pennant. Apart from that, as of 2019, the highest-earning MLB player is Stephen Strasburg, with an annual income of $38.3 million. 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. Lake Superior becomes hot spot for winter surfing Stargell also had three homers, including the decisive shot in Game 7 in Baltimore, as the Pirates rallied from a 3-1 deficit to wrest the World Series title from the favored Orioles. The next day it was Roberto Clemente. But Berding saidthey're trying to retain the neighborhood's character and complexion. Stargell's career took off after the Pirates vacated Forbes Field's vast acreage for symmetrical Three Rivers and its 375-foot power alley. He left center stage to the 38-year-old Clemente, who, fearful he would never play in another Series, turned the postseason into a personal showcase of his grace, talent and determination. In 1979, it was Stargell's turn to transform the World Series into a one-man act for an aging star. Price on day of issue was 45. [1], Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, but later moved to Florida with an aunt after his parents divorced. He was subjected to racism in the minor leagues, where an angry fan once confronted him with a shotgun. Updates? As per some sources, the duo dated for a while and later got married. Stargell's two home run titles came in his first three years at Three Rivers. 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 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. He left center stage to the 38-year-old Clemente, who, fearful he would never play in another Series, turned the postseason into a personal showcase of his grace, talent and determination. For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. Willie Stargell played leftfielder and first baseman. Stargell also threw out the ceremonial last pitch at Three Rivers Stadium before the team's move after the 2000 season. 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. Apart from that, Willie was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller at the time he died. He was 61. The Friday night lights at Taft High School are almost out. 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. Willie was married to his second wife until he died of a stroke. Unfortunately, there are no details regarding their marriage. Stargell played three more seasons on arthritis-ravaged knees, the last at the request of former MVP teammate Dave Parker, but had only 14 more homers and 64 more RBIs. 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. 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. He was previously married to Margaret Weller, Dolores Parker and Lois Beard. "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. 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. 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. "I think it's an awesome tribute to Dad,"said Jason,a Cincinnati firefighter and former UC football star like his dad. 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 Date of Death: April 9, 2001. CINCINNATI - It's the end of an era. Pirates manager Chuck Tanner said of Stargell, "Having him on your ball club is like having a diamond ring on your finger." } 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. He's the only guy I could have said that about. At 61 years old, Willie Stargell height #inline-recirc-item--id-a4809f9c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { My interviewer and I of course discussed how Pittsburgh has struggled since 1992. Also learn how He earned most of Willie Stargell networth? He also worked as a special baseball adviser to Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy, who called Stargell "the ultimate class act". Willie and his bat guided the Bucs to two World Series titles (1971, 1979) and was a seven-time All-Star selection. 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. Mr. Stargell, a seven-time National League All-Star, is the Pirates' all-time leader in home runs, RBI and extra-base hits. 2001 The Associated Press. Batting leadoff, he hit a single off Steve Rogers. 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. Chapman also followed Stargel intoteaching. Willie Stargell. In a 21-year-career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he hit 475 home runs and shared the National . Willie Stargell's weight was unknown. Stargel helped UC to one its finest seasons, including a win over Indiana. 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. How many home runs did Willie Stargell hit? A 12-foot bronze statue of Willie Stargell was unveiled at the left field entrance to the Pirates new ballpark in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Stargell continued to post excellent numbers in 1972 (.293, 33, 112) finishing third in MVP voting behind Johnny Bench and Billy Williams. JSA. $4.99. 1940 Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. 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. Friday nights were our nights.. Stargell remains the oldest player to win an MVP award. Further details are below. He had been in failing health for several years with a kidney . He has led the National League in home runs two times and RBIs once. Stargell better known by his given name, Wilver (sometimes mispronounced as "Williver") during his Alameda days played his last major league game in 1982. We were products of different races, were raised in different income brackets, but in the clubhouse and on the field we were one.". Willie Stargell Birthday and Date of Death. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? He had problems with his kidneys for several years before his death. 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.. Dad was an educator about life and teaching people how to walk.". Though he became quickly known as Willie Stargell, his autograph suggests that he preferred his given name, Wilver. He was a member of the Pirates' World Championship team, the Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. 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. [22], Stargell also worked to raise awareness of sickle cell anemia. With his towering shots earning him a reputation as a powerful left-handed hitter, he was called up to Pittsburgh in 1962. 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.". April 9, 2001. Willie Stargell, May 8, 1973. In '79 he was the National League MVP, Championship Series MVP, and the World Series MVP, taking most of baseball's Top Honors for the year. "Those were precious. But before Willie was born, his dad skipped town. 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. 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 was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 with an 82% vote. Born March 6, 1940 Died April 9, 2001 (61) Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to list Known for Monday Night Baseball 7.2 TV Series He hit a second home run out of Dodger Stadium on May 8, 1973, against Andy Messersmith, measured at 470 feet (140m). UC won, but it was a tainted victory to say the least. Clearly not in good health, Stargell wiped away tears from his eyes as he hugged several players, including catcher Jason Kendall, amid a wave of cheers that rolled across the stadium that he closed as impressively as he opened it. 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