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. 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. For nearly 30 years, Stargell was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, and he did it twice. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. 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). Born in Oklahoma on March 6, 1940, of African-American and Seminole Indian descent, Stargell himself listed the date as March 7, 1941. 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. "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. He was 61. Tanner agreed that Stargell's personal magnetism was a key ingredient in the clubhouse. Starting in 1981, sickle cell awareness and fundraising was gradually being assumed by The Sickle Cell Society Inc. Stargells play declined in the following seasons, and he retired from baseball in 1982. Later, he returned to Alameda, California, to live with his mother. Willie was suffering from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure for a long time. 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). 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. In 1979, it was Stargell's turn to transform the World Series into a one-man act for an aging star. 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. Price on day of issue was 45. Willie and his bat guided the Bucs to two World Series titles (1971, 1979) and was a seven-time All-Star selection. In addition to his NLCS and World Series MVP awards, Stargell finally took home the elusive MVP award (as co-winner along with St. Louis' Keith Hernandez) at the age of 39. A disease doctors call the silent killer was ultimately responsible for the death of baseball great Willie Stargell. No bother: I named Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen and Danny Murtaugh. 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. He became the third player, after Lou Boudreau in 1946 and Joe Adcock in 1954, to collect five extra-base hits in one game. He was active in various philanthropies, including efforts to raise money to fight sickle cell anemia. A segment of Stargell's bowel was removed more than two years before he died. 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. When the job as head football coach at Taft opened in 1966, a white coach got it. 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. Pictured on one of a set of 4 USA nondenominated commemorative postage stamps issued 20 July 2013, celebrating Major League Baseball All-Stars. 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 never made anybody look bad and he never said anything bad about anybody. Besides, Willie's 19-year old daughter, Kelli filed a lawsuit against her father asking the court to continue the financial support even after her 21st birthday. Among the most feared power hitters in baseball history, Stargell had the most home runs (296) of any player in the 1970s decade. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. His 1963 rookie season was lackluster, but he enjoyed much more success the following season, his first as an everyday player. is 6'4"(1.93m) . Bob Prince, the colorful longtime Pirate radio announcer, would greet a Stargell home run with the phrase "Chicken on the Hill". [5], Stargell returned to the Pittsburgh club in 1997 as an aide to Cam Bonifay, the team's general manager. Stargell was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 with an 82% vote. Growing up in Pittsburgh, in an era when the Steelers were terrible every year, the Pirates, unlike today, were the team. Not just. 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. He played briefly for Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College before being signed to the Pirates organization in 1958 for a $1,200 bonus. The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of One of our talks stands out. 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 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 Legendary Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Willie Stargell stepped into the batter's box 143 times against Seaver. Stargell remained one of the most popular athletes in Pittsburgh history and received thunderous ovations at any public function he attended. Stargell attended high school in California, where he attracted the attention of Pirates scouts and was signed to a minor league contract. He was 61. And in a few weeks, crews will tear it down to make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. Further details are below. Stargell better known by his given name, Wilver (sometimes mispronounced as "Williver") during his Alameda days played his last major league game in 1982. "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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Prior to that, Willie was married to his first wife, Dee Stargell, also known as Dolores. Willie Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. Stargel finally got his first chance to teach high school when Taft opened in 1955. Anyone can read what you share. "Nobody could hit a ball as far as Willie," Tanner said. The Sporting News ranks Stargell 81st on the top 100 baseball players of all time. 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. After hitting 32 homers during a memorable regular season, he had two more during an NL playoff sweep of Cincinnati. Jason, though, said his father wasnt bitter about it. In 1978, against Wayne Twitchell of the Montreal Expos, Stargell hit the only fair ball to reach the club deck of Olympic Stadium. When did willie stargell die? The stroke was one of many complications Stargell suffered as a result of a long history of high blood pressure. Stargell wore the mantle of leadership as well as he did an outfielder's glove or a first baseman's mitt as an unappreciated defensive player. 2001 The Associated Press. Stargell died in a Wilmington, North Carolina, hospital on April 9, 2001. 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. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { "When you had Willie Stargell on your team, it was like having a diamond ring on your finger," Tanner said. We have estimated 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. The Cubs did manage to get the tying runs on base in the last of the 11th, but Beckert lined into a game-ending double play. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. 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. 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. Stargell lost some of that weight, but gained weight again while working for the Pittsburgh front office.[19]. 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. Advertise with us 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. April 9, 2001. 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. His 475 career home runs, 1,540. Only four other home runs have been hit out of Dodger Stadium. #inline-recirc-item--id-a4809f9c-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { He was married to Margaret Weller, Dolores Parker and Lois Beard. [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. [13] The shot came in the second inning and chased starting pitcher Jim Bunning out of the game. Stargell enjoyed another fine season in 1970, batting .264 with 31 home runs and 85 RBIs and finishing 15th in MVP voting. "I think it's an awesome tribute to Dad,"said Jason,a Cincinnati firefighter and former UC football star like his dad. 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 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. Batting leadoff, he hit a single off Steve Rogers. 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. Margaret Weller (16 January1993 - 9 April2001)( his death), Dolores Parker (19 November1966 - 1983)( divorced)( 2 children), Lois Beard (14 May1962 - 1965)( divorced)( 1 child). Named Willie Stargell, North Carolina, hospital on April 9, 2001 aide Cam. 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