Trice was front and center during the fight to keep Stargel Stadium standing and keep FC Cincinnati out. The Pirates struggled early in Stargells career, but the team turned the corner in the 1970s, winning the National League (NL) Eastern Division title six times in the decade. "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. Willie Stargell I found myself in a race with Mother Nature to play as much baseball as I could before she forced me to stop. He suffered from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure. Friday nights were our nights.. 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. He was brought back briefly to coach in 1985, but Mr. Stargell never realized his goal of becoming a full-time manager of a team, though he served in the Pirates' front office and coached and scouted for the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. Count that, too, as part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. Omissions? 3. Willie married Margaret Weller of Wilmington in 1993 at . They're letting me stay to fulfill my catering orders until the end of November and then I'm out," Williams said. Hence, she filed the suit in 1982 through attorney Richard Hughes, asking for $1,800 a month from her father. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Stargell hit 29 homers in 1969. Willie Stargell decided to award players with a gold star any time they had a good game or made a good play. Stargell began and ended the season as the Pirates' everyday left-fielder, but spent extended periods playing first base as well. Stargell died on . 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. 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. Stargel finally got his first chance to teach high school when Taft opened in 1955. One of the loudest came during the Pirates' final game at Three Rivers on Oct. 1, 2000, several days after it was announced a statue of him would be erected at PNC Park. Stargell enjoyed his best season in 1971, with 48 homers and 125 RBIs. A segment of Stargell's bowel was removed more than two years before he died. ", For his first 10 years in the majors, Stargell was content to play in Clemente's shadow, even after he passed Clemente in production. The Pirates postponed a formal ceremony dedicating the statue because Stargell could not attend. 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." Willie Stargell That's where the future lies, in the youth of today. Stargell better known by his given name, Wilver (sometimes mispronounced as "Williver") during his Alameda days played his last major league game in 1982. Tanner agreed that Stargell's personal magnetism was a key ingredient in the clubhouse. Willie Stargell, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series championships with his tape-measure home runs and patriarchal leadership, died on this date in 2001 of a stroke at a medical facility in Wilmington, N.C. No bother: I named Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen and Danny Murtaugh. Statues of Honus Wagner and Clemente also are on the grounds of the park, which opens Monday. To see them for sale and auction on eBay, click the title of each. 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. So, how much is Willie Stargell worth at the age of 61 years old? 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. Stargell also threw out the ceremonial last pitch at Three Rivers Stadium before the team's move after the 2000 season. 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. His body was buried at the Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. In 1973, Stargell achieved the rare feat of simultaneously leading the league in both doubles and homers. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. 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. He was 61. However, it is known that the duo had a son, Williw Jr., and a daughter, Kelli. Despite playing the front half of his career in Forbes Field, a graveyard for left-handed hitters with a right-field power alley of 436 feet, Stargell averaged 24 homers from 1963-69. Jeff Berding, the soccer clubs president and general manager, knows growing pains exist. Stargell's swings seemed designed to hit home runs of Ruthian proportions. I've been here - this is my 11th here, said Taft football coach Jeff Cargile. 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. The Hall of Famer who . His spouse is Margaret Weller (m. 1993-2001), Dee Stargell. "[18] Stargell strongly denied these accusations. According to some sources, his . (His unusual first name was an amalgamation of his father's first name and his mother's maiden name). "He was the ultimate class act," McClatchy said. Died: April 9, 2001 . 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. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. Stargell's two home run titles came in his first three years at Three Rivers. One day it was Willie Stargell. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Wilver was 61 years old at the time of death. Willie Stargell is a MLB baseball player. Willie Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. "We keep our fingers crossed. Willie Stargell was 6 ft 2 inches, 188 lb (188 cm, 85 kg). 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. Live Death Statistics Worldwide and The United States. "We won, we lived and we enjoyed as one," Stargell said. Then, his play on the field inspired his teammates and earned him the MVP awards in both the NLCS and the World Series. Biographer Frank Garland relates that Stargell's family and friends called him Wilver and that Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully also made a point of using Stargell's given name. Only four other home runs have been hit out of Dodger Stadium. 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. Trying to hit Sandy Koufax was like trying to drink coffee with a fork. Willard Stargel plaque at Stargel Stadium. 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. A lot of memories on this field. But before Willie was born, his dad skipped town. He grew up in Oakland, Calif., where he was spotted by Pirates scout Bob Zuk while playing on a high school team. 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. 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. While standing in the batter's box, he would windmill his bat until the pitcher started his windup. Willie Stargell's weight was unknown. 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. He stayed active in baseball by performing various coaching duties for the Pirates and for the Atlanta Braves. Batting leadoff, he hit a single off Steve Rogers. 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.. display: block; Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who led the Pirates to two World Series victories with his tape-measure homers, died of a stroke Monday at age 61. 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. 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. He was a Seven Time All-Star. Stargel Stadium in the West End with the Downtown skyline to the south. 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. 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. 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. For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. Only 14 months later, Clemente was dead. In 1982, the Pirates retired his uniform number 8. Dodger Hall of Famer Don Sutton said of Stargell, "I never saw anything like it. "My heart has not changed. Willard Stargel and UC teammates from 1946 (Courtesy of University of Cincinnati Archives & Rare Books Library). Date of Death: April 9, 2001. 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. 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. He was born on March 6, 1940 Facts Top Questions Where was Willie Stargell born? "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. Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife Margaret. Willie was suffering from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure for a long time. I did very well because of him.. The home run was his third of the series and, coincidentally, credited Stargell with the winning runs in both Game 7s of the two postseason meetings between the Pirates and the Orioles (1971 and 1979). Likewise, he attended Encinal High School, where his baseball teammates included future MLB players Tommy Harper and Curt Motton. Kelli, also known as Wendy Rebecca Stargell is suffered from a developmental disorder and says she is unable to support herself. Stargell called that 1978 team his favorite team ever, and predicted that the Pirates would win the World Series the following year. "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. While the stars weren't valuable, they were a symbolic acknowledgement of a player's . "You just felt for pitchers facing him. Discover Willie Stargell's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. The current StargelStadium No. Too easy? Fri 20 Apr 2001 21.07 EDT. Another fan, Rich Cromer, recalled the anticipation in the crowd every time Stargell came to the plate. . Stargelleft Taft and went to Walnut Hills as head football and track coach. Mr. Stargell, a seven-time National League All-Star, is the Pirates' all-time leader in home runs, RBI and extra-base hits. After years of suffering from a kidney disorder, he died of complications related to a stroke in Wilmington, North Carolina, on April 9, 2001. His 475 career home runs, 1,540. display: none; She leases the space and saidshe was offered $20,000 to move. 1963 Topps No. He smacked a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium. [13] The shot came in the second inning and chased starting pitcher Jim Bunning out of the game. 2001 The Associated Press. His 1963 rookie season was lackluster, but he enjoyed much more success the following season, his first as an everyday player. In his later life, Stargell had also suffered from hypertension and heart failure. 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. All Rights Reserved. Stargell, who was divorced from Dolores, continued to live in Wilmington, N.C., with his wife, Margaret. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed 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). Willie Stargell was born on 6 March 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA. Margaret Weller (16 January1993 - 9 April2001)( his death), Dolores Parker (19 November1966 - 1983)( divorced)( 2 children), Lois Beard (14 May1962 - 1965)( divorced)( 1 child). A disease doctors call the silent killer was ultimately responsible for the death of baseball great Willie Stargell. 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. Willie Stargell had a career batting average of 0.282. "When you had Willie Stargell on your team, it was like having a diamond ring on your finger," Tanner said. "Nobody could hit a ball as far as Willie," Tanner said. [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. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985 were the catalyst for a Major League Baseball-related cocaine scandal. [3] While on the road with some of those teams, Stargell was not allowed to stay in the same accommodations as the white players. However, this news has not been officially confirmed. Unfortunately, there are no details regarding their marriage. Rather than leave Stargel home, UCs president turned down the invitation, but the board of trustees overruled him and sent the team instead. "I dreamed of the big crowds, artificial turf, our new tradition and my increased home run power.". Willie and his bat guided the Bucs to two World Series titles (1971, 1979) and was a seven-time All-Star selection. 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.". [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. "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 attended high school in California, where he attracted the attention of Pirates scouts and was signed to a minor league contract. That's how much respect we have for the man. 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 . The Pirates moved into Three Rivers in mid-1970, and he hit 310 of his 475 career home runs from 1970 until his retirement, despite turning 30 in 1970. What was the cause of Willie Stargell death? RELATED ACTIVITIES For a decade, BAF, renamed the Willie Stargell Foundation, raised research money and public awareness about the disease. 1940 Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. He died on 9 April 2001 in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. He was honored with two elaborate days during those last three seasons, and later turned down another. "He said it's important that we be better. He was the 17th player voted in on the first ballot. 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. He did so twice over the course of his 21-year career, with . The reason for the divorce is rumored to be due to the affairs Willie had with his second wife before their marriage. At one time, Stargell held the record for the longest home run in nearly half of the NL parks. "These days, not even a food truck, Williams said. [5], Stargell returned to the Pittsburgh club in 1997 as an aide to Cam Bonifay, the team's general manager. He's optimistic about what's to come and what he hopes will remain. Stargell began and ended the season as the Pirates' everyday left-fielder, but spent extended periods playing first base as well. 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). He doesn't just hit pitchers, he takes away their dignity." Stargells play declined in the following seasons, and he retired from baseball in 1982. Thats not enough to reopenher business somewhere else, she said. Despite being overshadowed at times by more prolific home run hitters Hank Aaron and Willie Mays, and by his own Hall of Fame teammate, Roberto Clemente, Stargell's sheer power was unrivaled. Born in Oklahoma on March 6, 1940, of African-American and Seminole Indian descent, Stargell himself listed the date as March 7, 1941. Monica Williams is counting on that, too. Corrections? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Great man. Willie Stargell was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993. Birthday: March 6, 1940. He never made anybody look bad and he never said anything bad about anybody. 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. 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.