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Willie Stargell
#8
| Left Field | Pittsburgh
Pirates
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Willie Stargell |
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| Willie Stargell |
Charismatic and extremely popular with Pirates' fans, Pops passed on to his reward just a few hours before the Pirates played their first home opener at PNC Park on April 9, 2001. The new ballyard has a 12-foot statue of Stargell outside its gates on Federal Street, and a left-field eatery bears the name Pop's Plaza (it features signature items like Willie's Chili, Pops Potato Patch and Chicken on the Hill).
The seven-time All-Star (1964-1966, 1971-1973, 1978) picked up an MVP Award in 1979, in the only tie in voting history with the Cardinals' Keith Hernandez. The burly lefthanded slugger finished with 475 career HR, including a string of 13 consecutive 20-homer seasons. Twice he led the National League in round-trippers, with 48 in 1971 and 44 in 1973. He drove in 1,540 runs, scored 1,195 and had 2,232 hits with a lifetime batting average of .282. His influence, however, extended beyond the white lines and into the clubhouse and dugout as well - his inspirational leadership contributed greatly to two Pirates' World Championships.
He combined with Roberto Clemente to give the Pirates a World Series crown in 1971; he opened that year on a tear, setting an April record with 11 dingers, and inspiring Pirate broadcaster Bob Prince to coin the phrase "spread chicken on the hill" (in reference to Willie's chain of chicken restaurants) each time he blasted a homer. He spread chicken 48 times in 1971 and had 125 RBIs, both career highs (as were his 154 strikeouts), to help the Pirates to a pennant. In the World Series dominated by Clemente, he hit a disappointing .132.
When Clemente died, Stargell became the Pirates' leader, but his spectacular 1973 season (.299, 44 HR, 119 RBI) went largely unrecognized because the team slumped. Knee problems forced his move to first base in 1974, and a series of injuries ended his string of 20-homer seasons in 1977.
Although he'd had seasons with higher totals, 1979 was his most noteworthy year: at the age of 39, Stargell was captain of The Family, driving the team to a pennant with his bat (.281, 32 HR, 82 RBI) and leadership, awarding "Stargell Stars" to deserving teammates. In the World Series win, he set records with 25 total bases and seven extra-base hits (three homers, four doubles). He also became the first person to win three major MVP awards - sharing regular season honors of the National League with Keith Hernandez, and also bringing home the NLCS and World Series MVP trophies. Stargell's banner year also awarded him the titles of The Sporting News Man of the Year, and Sports Illustrated co-Man of the Year (with Steeler Super Bowl quarterback Terry Bradshaw). After playing three more painful seasons with arthritis tearing away at his knees, Pops retired in 1982 as the Pirate career leader in home runs, RBIs, and eight other categories.
Picture from National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc.
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