Willie Stargell

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Lore & Background

Stargell's playing style was defined by raw power. Standing 6 ft 3 in with long arms, he held only the knob of the bat with his lower hand for extra extension, and warmed up with a sledgehammer instead of a weighted bat. He hit seven of the 18 balls ever hit over Forbes Field's 86-foot-high right-field stands. In 1970, he collected five extra-base hits—three doubles and two home runs—in a single game, becoming only the third player ever to do so. He originated the practice of giving teammates embroidered "Stargell stars" for their caps after nice plays. In 1979, at age 39, he became the first and only player to win the NL MVP, NL Championship Series MVP, and World Series MVP in one season. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 in his first year of eligibility.

In Their Own Story

The 1979 season was the peak of Stargell's career. After the Pirates started in last place in the NL East at the end of April, they clawed their way into a first-place battle with the Montreal Expos. At his urging as captain, the team adopted Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" as their anthem. Stargell capped the year by hitting a dramatic home run in Baltimore during the late innings of a close Game 7 to seal the Pirates' championship. It was his third home run of the series and, coincidentally, credited him with the winning runs in both Game 7s of the two postseason meetings between the Pirates and the Orioles. Earlier in 1971, he had hit 48 home runs to edge out Hank Aaron's 47 for the NL home run title, though he finished second in MVP voting to Joe Torre.

Reader's Guide

Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at age 22. After a lackluster rookie season in 1963, he became an everyday player in 1964, hitting the first home run at Shea Stadium on April 17 of that year. He made his first All-Star Game that season. In 1967, conditioning problems led the team to mandate a diet from 235 to 215 pounds, and his production dropped. He moved permanently to first base in 1975 after years of experimenting at the position. In 1977, he hit his 400th career home run on June 29 against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 1978 Pirates came from 11.5 games behind in mid-August to challenge the Phillies, but fell short. Stargell called that 1978 team his favorite ever and predicted they would win the World Series the following year—which they did.

Did You Know?

• Stargell hit the first home run at Shea Stadium on April 17, 1964.
• He warmed up with a sledgehammer instead of a weighted bat.
• He collected five extra-base hits in one game on August 1, 1970, becoming only the third player ever to do so.
• Stargell originated the practice of giving teammates embroidered 'Stargell stars' for their caps after nice plays.
• He was accosted at gunpoint in Plainview, Texas, during his minor league days but played the game anyway.

Career Trajectory and Statistical Dominance

Wilver Dornell Stargell spent all 21 of his MLB seasons (1962–1982) with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He batted .282 with 2,232 hits, 1,194 runs, 423 doubles, 475 home runs, and 1,540 RBIs. He had the most home runs (296) of any player in the 1970s. He was a seven-time All-Star and two-time NL home run leader. In 1971, he hit 48 home runs, edging out Hank Aaron's 47 on the final week of the season. In 1973, he led the league in both doubles and homers, becoming the first player with 40 of each since Hank Greenberg in 1940. He also led the league in RBIs and slugging percentage that year. He helped the Pirates win six NL East titles, two NL pennants, and two World Series championships in 1971 and 1979.

The Historic 1979 Campaign

At age 39, Stargell became the first and currently only player to win the NL MVP, NL Championship Series MVP, and World Series MVP in one season. He hit a dramatic home run in Baltimore during the late innings of a close Game 7 to seal the Pirates' championship. It was his third home run of the series. He also won three NL Player of the Month awards in his career: June 1965, April 1971, and June 1971. In 1971, he hit 3 home runs in a game twice—on April 10 at Atlanta and on April 21 at home. He finished second in MVP voting that year despite those numbers.

Overcoming Racial Adversity in the Minors

Stargell signed with the Pirates organization in 1959 and played for farm teams in New Mexico, North Dakota, Iowa, Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio. While on the road, he was not allowed to stay in the same accommodations as white players; lodging for black players was located in poor black areas. In Plainview, Texas, he was accosted at gunpoint by a man who threatened his life if he played that night's game. Stargell played and nothing came of the incident. He might have quit baseball over the racial difficulties, but was encouraged by letters from friend and baseball scout Bob Zuk.

Legacy, Hall of Fame, and Unique Persona

Stargell was beloved in Pittsburgh for his style of play and affable manner. Though known as Willie, his autograph suggests he preferred his given name, Wilver. Broadcaster Vin Scully used the name Wilver, which made him Stargell's mother's favorite broadcaster. He hit seven of the 18 balls ever hit over Forbes Field's 86-foot-high right-field stands. In 1982, the Pirates retired his uniform number 8. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 in his first year of eligibility. He was nicknamed "Pops" later in his career.

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