Willie Stargell
| Birthdate | 3/6/1940 |
| Death Date | 4/9/2001 |
| Debut Year | 1962 |
| Year of Induction | 1988 |
| Teams | Pirates |
| Positions | First Base, Left Field |
Willie Stargell spent his entire 21-year career in Pittsburgh leading the team to 6 NL East titles, 2 pennants, and two World Series championships.
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Stargell broke in with Pittsburgh as a 22-year old in 1962
Stargell broke in with Pittsburgh as a 22-year old in 1962
For years in souvenir stands at MLB stadiums offered baseballs with stamped signatures of the home team. In the collection is a contract signed by Willie Stargell agreeing to have his autograph appear on those balls.
The terms of the contract? Pops received one cent per ball sold. Stargell signed this contract on March 14, 1967 just after completing three consecutive trips to the All Star game from 1964-1966.
Willie Stargell earned the first of his two World Series rings in 1971
Willie Stargell earned the first of his two World Series rings in 1971
Willie Stargell’s Hall of Fame career included six trips to the postseason that resulted in two World Series championship. Stargell’s Pirates reached October in five of the first six years of the 1970s, and again in the final year of the decade.
Many remember the ’79 “We Are Family” Pirates led by the then-39 year old slugger who was called “Pops” by his teammates. However, Stargell’s first taste of the Fall Classic came with the 1971 Pittsburgh squad.
Willie’s best game of the Series came in Game 4. With his team trailing 2-games-to-1, a loss would put them on the brink of elimination. The Orioles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Stargell came up in the bottom half of the inning with two out and Dave Cash on first. The Pittsburgh slugger doubled to right-center to drive in Cash. Centerfielder Al Oliver then doubled in Stargell to cut the lead to 3-2.
The Pirates held Baltimore scoreless the rest of the way while pushing across a run in the 3rd and another in the 7th to win the game 4-3. Games 6 and 7 were also one-run affairs in a thrilling rendition of baseball’s showcase event.
Above is a letter from baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Baseball’s chief writes about October baseball.
“The World Series is the premier event of American Sports.
“No other event has been able to capture it’s special appeal or match its magnificent history.”
Baseball’s chief then references the Pirates victory that earned Stargell his first ring.
“Never in the previous 68 Series has its penchant for dramatics been better displayed than in the superb 1971 encounter between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles.”
Chuck Tanner relied on Stargell's in the 1979 championship season
Chuck Tanner relied on Stargell's in the 1979 championship season
The manager of the 1979 championship Pirate team, Chuck Tanner piloted Pittsburgh through Stargell’s final six seasons.
In this handwritten letter Tanner writes, “Willie was the leader of our team on the field and off the field. He was like a 10 diamond karat ring on your finger to manage. What an honor I had.”
Tanner then pens his name at the bottom.
Stargell's career was capped with his 1988 induction into baseball's Hall of Fame
Stargell's career was capped with his 1988 induction into baseball's Hall of Fame
“We Are Family” can be heard in the mind of fans as they remember Willie Stargell’s MVP season that brought the World Series championship to Pittsburgh in 1979. The charismatic Stargell helped make the Pirates America’s favorite team for a summer. Stargell is remembered for a Hall of Fame career that featured a .282 average, 2,232 hits, 423 doubles, 475 homers and 1,540 runs batting in his 21-years with the Pirates.
In the collection is an invitation to the dedication of Stargell’s Hall of Fame plaque on July 31, 1988. Stargell has added his autograph to the bottom of the invitation.
