Only four other home runs have been hit out of Dodger Stadium. The seat where the ball landed (the home run was measured at 535 feet (163m)) was replaced with a yellow seat, while the other seats in the upper deck are red. Willies MLB career was on the edge of ending after having the best season in 1979. Willie appeared larger than other batters due to his height, lengthy arms, and distinctive bat-holding style. As a result, his performance suffered, and he finished the season with only 20 home runs. Willie Stargells last match was on October 3, 1982, at Three Rivers Stadium against the Montreal Expos. . 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, .avia-section.av-k6v62xgq-c0812a68936ee67ed4883eaa9d35be9b{ The auction, being conducted by SCP Auctions Inc., began Wednesday, the Post-Gazette reported. Notably, He had the most home runs of any player in the decade. Willie was specifically threatened with a gun not to play the game that night. A source close to the Pirates blamed Stargell's health problems on his gaining weight after retiring as a player. Some proceeds also will benefit the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C., home of the Willie "Pops" Stargell Dialysis Unit. [16] He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988, his first year of eligibility. The most expensive Willie Stargell rookie card to date sold for $6000 in 2017, while the cheapest was a mere $1.25. Early on, he honed his skills in nursery clubs in New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Iowa. The Stargell couple divorced, which resulted in Willie living with his aunt. by He used to merely hold the bats knob, which gave him more bat extension for home run swings. 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. Weller-Stargell says the auction is legal. Darius Days Bio: Family, Contracts And Net Worth, Gus Johnson Bio: Family, Documentary & Net Worth, Mike Conley Net Worth: Charity & Endorsements, Shaun Livingston Bio: Injuries, NBA Championships, Net Worth & Kids. Here's how WBC offenses stack up with MLB's best. Unfortunately, he died on April 9, 2001, due to a stroke. How many seasons did Willie Stargell play? She said they were "completely blindsided" by the auction and that her anger was "released" upon hearing of it. ATLANTA Several members of Willie Stargell's family are not happy with his widow's decision to sell his baseball memorabilia. Jami Thompson Fatboy SSE's real name is Tyriq Thomas Kimbrough. . While standing in the batter's box, he would windmill his bat until the pitcher started his windup. Stargell began and ended the season as the Pirates' everyday left-fielder, but spent extended periods playing first base as well. 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). Hed swing his bat around until the pitcher tossed the ball. Willie Stargell died on April 9, 2001. Weller-Stargell plans to donate some of the proceeds to charity. We are his grown children and were not honored, forewarned or offered the right of first refusal to make a fair offer on Dad's belongings. [11] He retired with 475 home runs despite playing much of his career at Forbes Field, whose center field distance was 457 feet (139m). Willies offspring, on the other hand, are not well-documented. His wife is Margaret Weller (16 January 1993 - 9 April 2001) ( his death), Dolores Parker (19 November 1966 - 1983) ( divorced) ( 2 children), Lois Beard (14 May 1962 - 1965) ( divorced) ( 1 child) Willie Stargell Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Willie Stargell was married to his first wife, Dolores, from 1962 to 1983, a time that spanned his entire baseball career. He then worked as a hitting coach for Chipper Jones, a minor league baseball team. He did, however, lose the MVP title to Pete Rose. The items were selected by his second wife, Margaret Weller-Stargell. 6-keys: media/spln/mlb/reg/free/stories, at According to Beckman, the most notable items up for sale include Stargell's 1979 National League MVP award and his 1979 World Series ring. Besides, the duo was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Dawn Moore, and Precious Stargell. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At 61 years old, Willie Stargell height Aoife Jacobs His influence extended into the clubhouse, where he rewarded teammates with . The Pirates won the 1971 World Championship beating the Baltimore Orioles. Willie Stargell was born on Wednesday, March 6, 1940, in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. [17] Berra said that he obtained amphetamines from Stargell and Bill Madlock; he said he could get them from Stargell "on any given day I asked him for one. 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 . "[18] Stargell strongly denied these accusations. In addition, he received two National League Player of the Month titles in April and June of the same year. Is he expecting a baby girl? Stargell continued to post excellent numbers in 1972 (.293, 33, 112) finishing third in MVP voting behind Johnny Bench and Billy Williams. Even after Willie disregarded it, nothing happened. He also led the league in runs batted in and slugging percentage. In 1971, Willie earned his first home run title, defeating Hank Aaron. They were Dawn Moore and Precious Stargell. People began to refer to him as Willie. But he preferred his given name, Wilver.. Wilver Dornel Stargell Nickname: Pops Born: 3/06/1940 in Earlsboro, OK High School: Encinal, Alameda, CA Debut: 9/16/1962 Hall of Fame: 1988 Died: 4/09/2001 Follow mlb Stats Career Game Logs Splits Batter vs. Pitcher MLB Minors Batting Fielding Regular Season Career Stats Advanced Career Stats News 9/01/2022 at 12:42 AM Some will go to the Willie Stargell Foundation, which helps people suffering from kidney disease, as well as the Pirates Charities and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, according to a statement from Ms. Weller-Stargell. Aoife Jacobs Kylie Jenner took her son Aire, daughter Stormi and niece on a Disneyland trip. Remarkably, Willie won the NL MVP, the NL Championship Series MVP, and the WorldSeries MVP awards, all in a single 1979 season. Margaret Weller (16 January1993 - 9 April2001)( his death), Dolores Parker (19 November1966 - 1983)( divorced)( 2 children), Lois Beard (14 May1962 - 1965)( divorced)( 1 child). Willie started to improve in the early 1970s. During his early years in baseball, Willie had to deal with a lot of racial prejudice. However, there is not much information about any of Willies children. [3], Stargell played for farm teams in New Mexico, North Dakota, Iowa, Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio. The short fence in right field (300 feet (91m) to the foul pole) at Forbes Field was guarded by a screen more than 20 feet (6.1m) high which ran from the right-field line to the 375-foot (114m) mark in right center. Willie Stargell had an estimated net worth of $1.6 million in his later years. February 12, 2023, 1:42 pm, by The Black Athletes Foundation was founded by Willies as well. "Willie would be so humbled by this timeless recognition," said Stargell's wife Margaret Stargell. To this union they were blessed with five kids. A DIAMOND RING ON YOUR FINGER IS LIKE HAVING WILLIE STARGELL ON YOUR BALL CLUB. Are they dating. In 1967, he had to deal with obesity issues. Stargell's children and grandchildren say the two-time World. Though he became quickly known as Willie Stargell, his autograph suggests that he preferred his given name, Wilver. In 1997, Willie worked as a general managers assistant with the Pirates. Ava Louise was born on the 5th of August 19, Who is Fatboy SSE? Btypep, Social media personality, boyfriend of Btypep? He used to merely hold the bats knob, which gave him extra bat extension for home run swings. However, this news has not been officially confirmed. The Pirates retired his number 8 on September 6, 1982. Willie has been starting at first base since 1975. "Willie made the decision years before his death that he wanted these items left to me because I know that he trusted me to do what was in the best interests of both a game that he loved, the Pirates organization and its fans that he honored and respected," she said in a statement. Willie served as the first base coach for the Atlanta Braves during 1986-1988. He never made anybody look bad and he never said anything bad about anybody. Picture Information . All Rights Reserved. He is the first player to have won all three MVP awards in the same season. He was the son of Gladys Vernell Stargell and William Stargell. Wilver Dornel Stargell was born March 6, 1940, in tiny Earlsboro, Oklahoma, the son of William and Gladys Vernell Stargell. Her daughter is handicapped and her son, a Gulf War veteran, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, said Stargell. [8] He finished out the decade with a strong performance in 1969 (.307, 29 HR, 92 RBI), and finished 21st in MVP voting. [3] While on the road with some of those teams, Stargell was not allowed to stay in the same accommodations as the white players. Willie Stargell watches the ball he hit for a home run. Willie also participated in the seasons All-Star games. May 16, 2022, 6:46 pm, by Dawn Moore and Precious Stargell were their names. She said they were "completely blindsided" and. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, United States (61 years old). Willie married Margaret Weller in 1993. His professional career began with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Then, his play on the field inspired his teammates and earned him the MVP awards in both the NLCS and the World Series. A man specifically threatened Willie with a gun not to play the game that night. 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. Willie Stargell was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1988. Nationality: United States. February 24, 2023, 7:16 am, by Rebel Wilson gets engaged with girlfriend, Ramona Agruma at Disneyland. By 1969, he had regained his performance level thanks to the assistance of a personal trainer. He was the first minor-league hitting coach for Chipper Jones. How much did Willie Stargell weigh when playing? Willie Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at the age of 22. Willie won the MLB MVP award during the same outstanding season. Willie had been suffering from a renal ailment for a long time. He established a record with seven extra-base hits and four doubles for a total of 25 bases. Deago Goddin %privacy_policy%. During the season, Willie also participated in the All-Star games. Phoenix, AZ 85004 His 400th career home run came against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977. He eventually moved to Alameda, California, to live with his mother. On the list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, he was ranked 81st by the Sporting News. Ava Louise is an American social media star. Instead, he had to lodge in the poor black areas. Willie was named MVP of both the NCLS and the World Series. He exclusively played for the Pittsburgh Pirates throughout his MLB career. Aoife Jacobs Deago Goddin [2] He attended Encinal High School, where his baseball teammates included future MLB players Tommy Harper and Curt Motton. 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 is the only player in baseball history to have accomplished this feat. Willie was suffering from a kidney ailment and heart disease caused by high blood pressure for a long time. In a letter on Facebook, they say Stargell would want some of his "lifetime achievements to be on display.". Notably, he had the most home runs in the decade of any player. Willie won the NCLS MVP award as well as the World Series MVP honor. As per some sources, the duo dated for a while and later got married. Is Willie Stargell in the Hall of Fame? On March 6, 1940, in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, Willie Stargell was born. The foundation was later renamed the Willie Stargell Foundation after his death. He hit seven extra-base hits and four doubles for a total of 25 bases. What's the Dodgers' plan at shortstop? @ plays for the team . Stargell hit 310 home runs in his thirties, giving him a total of 475. 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. My baseball fandom officially commenced on 10 September 1968 when I attended my first game at Shea Stadium. [1], Stargell was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, but later moved to Florida with an aunt after his parents divorced. Miss Weller, 33 years old, is the executive director of the Crisis. He batted.264 with 31 home runs and 85 RBIs in 1970. Willie attended Californias Encinal High School. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Willie McCovey Perez Steele 1989 Celebrations HOF Postcard AUTO Signed Beckett at the best online prices at eBay! PITTSBURGH - The family of baseball Hall of Famer Willie Stargell said it is hurt and angry that his widow is auctioning his memorabilia, including his World Series ring and his National League MVP award. The Pirates retired Willies number 8 jersey in 1982. Approx. Amanda Moye Brown: Do you want to know about Wes Browns Wife? The greatest lineups ever? He is from USA. The Willie Stargell Foundation has 1,941 followers on Facebook. Willie had to face a lot of racial hardships during his early days in baseball. Darius Days Bio: Family, Contracts And Net Who Is Aaron Rodgers Wife? Later, he had to face overweight problems in 1967. On March 6, 1940, in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, Willie Stargell was born. His corpse was laid to rest in Wilmington, North Carolinas Oleander Memorial Gardens. PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 21: Margaret Stargell, wife of the late Willie Stargell of the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates, waves during introductions before interleague play between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park May 21, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The direct cause of his death was complications from a stroke. Price on day of issue was 45. In addition, in April and June of the same year, he won two NL Player of the Month titles. In 1973, Stargell achieved the rare feat of simultaneously leading the league in both doubles and homers. With a total of 475 home runs, Stargell hit 310 of those in his thirties. Dale Berra, one of them, claimed to have obtained the medication from Stargell and Bill Madlock as well. Willie enjoyed fishing and drag racing. We have estimated When most batters used a simple lead-weighted bat in the on-deck circle, Stargell took to warming up with a sledgehammer. His 1963 rookie season was lackluster, but he enjoyed much more success the following season, his first as an everyday player. He hit the first home run at Shea Stadium in the first game played in that stadium on April 17, 1964. Willie, on the other hand, categorically refuted the charge. Dale Berra, one of them, said that he also obtained the drug from Stargell and Bill Madlock. Net Worth: Undisclosed. Early life and Childhood Hed swerve his bat until the ball was thrown by the pitcher. Willies former Pirates colleagues accused him of supplying them with amphetamines. Teammate Al Oliver once said, "If he asked us to jump off the Fort Pitt Bridge, we would ask him what kind of dive he wanted. He hit the longest of 535 feet in Veterans Stadium history in 1971. For a long time, Willie was suffering from a kidney disorder. Gladys Vernell Stargell and William Stargell were his parents. Stargell died in a Wilmington, North Carolina, hospital on April 9, 2001. Consequently, his performance degraded, and he ended the season with only 20 home runs. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 61 years old group. His batting average dropped more than 40 points that season from .315 in 1966 to .271 in 1967; his home run total was reduced from 33 in 1966 to 20 in 1967. Nowadays, on average, an MLB player earns $3.4 million annually. He could not stay in the same hotels as the white players. However, some sources claim that the late player had a huge net worth of nearly $2 million. , money, salary, income, and assets. Scully said that because he used the name Wilver, he became Stargell's mother's favorite broadcaster.[4]. Dolores Stargell, who was married to Willie Stargell from 1962 to 1983, said she, her children and grandchildren weren't told about the auction. Willie Stargell playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. with his wife expecting a baby during the tournament. Willie Stargell was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993. August 22, 2022, 4:18 pm, by After having the best season in 1979, Willies MLB career was on the verge of its end. [5], Stargell returned to the Pittsburgh club in 1997 as an aide to Cam Bonifay, the team's general manager. Besides, on one of the news sites, it claims that Willie signed a 1 year / $6000 worth contract with Pittsburgh in the 1963 season. Stargell played and nothing came of the incident. Willie was a devoted husband for thirty years. Willie Stargells final game came against the Montreal Expos at Three Rivers Stadium on October 3, 1982. But the success came to him after some seasons. Willie was forced to live with his aunt after the Stargell marriage divorced. In 1967, he had to deal with overweight issues. Starting in 1981, sickle cell awareness and fundraising was gradually being assumed by The Sickle Cell Society Inc. He won the final two NL Player of the Month awards of his career in April (.347, 11 HR, 27 RBI) and in June (.333, 11 HR, 36 RBI); yet he did not win the MVP award, finishing second to Joe Torre. In 1973, Stargell won his second home run championship. You can read their entire letter on Facebook here. Willie Stargell's Wife and Kids Pops married Dee Stargell, with whom he had two children. Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page. His first home run came in April 1964 at Shea Stadium. He threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. [5], Beloved in Pittsburgh for his style of play and affable manner, Stargell hit seven of the 18 balls ever hit over Forbes Field's 86-foot-high right-field stands [6] and several of the upper-tier home runs at its successor, Three Rivers Stadium. An MLB player now earns $3.4 million per year on average. He began his career as the Pirates starting left fielder. He's the only guy I could have said that about. 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado, Padres, Top moments from Brady, Manning, Jordan and other athletes hosting 'Saturday Night Live', Fantasy baseball rankings, projections, strategy and cheat sheets, Rangers' Leclerc to miss WBC with neck injury, Rockies' Rodgers may need surgery, '23 at risk, Rojas to withdraw from WBC, stay with Dodgers, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In the same elite season, Willie won the MLBs MVP award. The family is living in poverty, she added. Georgeta Orlovschi: Know about Sebastian Stans Mother? Willie Stargell, like teammate Roberto Clemente, was an exceptional individual. After 74 games in 1979, he retired. Liang Jing Kang, sometimes known as Connor Leong, is a Chinese actor from Shenzhen, Guangdong. He hit a second home run out of Dodger Stadium on May 8, 1973, against Andy Messersmith, measured at 470 feet (140m). So, how much is Willie Stargell worth at the age of 61 years old? During the 1970s decade, he was at his finest. However, he was defeated by Pete Rose for the MVP title. One of them, Dale Berra, claimed to have gotten the substance from Bill Madlock and Stargell. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Willie Stargell's net worth Later, the accusations were proved wrong by a Commissioner. 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. His body was buried at the Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. . Pops married Dee Stargell and had a son and a daughter with her. 1989 Willie Stargell, 1987 Willie McCovey - HOFer. Aoife Jacobs Willis hit over 100 RBIs over the next two seasons. Ava Louise is known for providing humorous stuff on her social networking platforms. He eventually moved to Alameda, California, to live with his mother. Rich Pilling/Getty Images Specifically, he has been an NL home run leader two times and anRBI leader for one time. His baseball career began with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They eventually had two daughters. Learn how your comment data is processed. Willie had already passed away before social media existed. Willie Stargell's family -- specifically his first wife Dolores, son Willie Jr., and daughter Kelli -- are upset about a forthcoming auction organized by his second wife Margaret that. Later, they gave birth to two daughters. / CBS Pittsburgh. Besides, the duo was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Dawn Moore, and Precious Stargell. On the list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, he was ranked 81st by The Sporting News. 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. Willie was born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, on March 6, 1940. The Obituary Willi Carl Stargell, Jr. was born June 10, 1969 to the late Mr. Willie and Elizabeth Stargell. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. Members of Willie Stargell's family, including several children and grandchildren, are angered by his widow's decision to auction some of the Hall of Famer's possessions. According to Dolores Stargell, their. He has also suffered from hypertension and heart problems. He went on to play minor league baseball after that. Later, the couple divorced. In 1971, he hit a 535-foot home run, the longest in Veterans Stadium history. Willie would be seen warming up with a sledgehammer in the on-deck circle. You can read their entire letter on Facebook here, MLB rumors: Dodgers, Yankees seek depth after injuries, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to miss WBC with knee injury, Kik Hernndez recounts on-field bathroom accident, Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter has tender elbow, Max Scherzer fools hitter with new pitch clock rules, Report: Padres looking to extend Juan Soto, Josh Hader, Phillies top prospect Painter has elbow tenderness, Report: Padres looking to extend Soto, Hader, Report: Mets to use six-man rotation at times in 2023, Dodgers SS Gavin Lux tears ACL, will miss entire season. Pictured on one of a set of 4 USA nondenominated commemorative postage stamps issued 20 July 2013, celebrating Major League Baseball All-Stars. [14] The star remained in place until the stadium's 2004 demolition. "It's very difficult to articulate or put into words the depth or the hurt we are feeling right now," she said. Willie Stargell is a Baseball Player, zodiac sign: Pisces. On August 5, 1969, Stargell hit a home run off Alan Foster that left the stadium and measured 507 feet, the longest home run hit at Dodger Stadium. He has also suffered from hypertension and heart problems. He used to hold only the knob of the bat, which provided extra bat extension for home run swings. They had two children. 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. He became the third player, after Lou Boudreau in 1946 and Joe Adcock in 1954, to collect five extra-base hits in one game. Dolores Stargell, who was married to the late Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman from 1962 to 1983, said she, her children and grandchildren weren't told about the auction. 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. The Stargell Stars were named after late, great Pirates Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, or "Pops," as he was known as to many. Who Is Willie Stargell's Wife? He eventually moved in with his mother in Alameda, California. Stargell died on April 9, 2001, at a Wilmington, North Carolina hospital. Stargell refused to participate in the team's plans, still stinging from the team's refusal to even consider him for its managerial job that season. Willies first season in Major League Baseball came in 1962. }, Cronkite School at ASU 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. Amazing fact! The cast to honor Stargell yesterday was vast. 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. Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. In 1979, the Pirates again won the World Series. His narrative can inspire anyone, whether they are gamers or not. Baseball players incomes used to be far lower than they are now. Stargell hit 475 home runs in his career, 310 of which came in his thirties. April 27, 2022, 7:00 pm. Willie accumulated an average of .282 with 2,232 hits, 1,194 runs, 423 doubles, 475 home runs, and 1,540 runs batted in. Willie also played the All-Star games in the season. Willies personality and playing style had won him many fans in Pittsburgh. However, success came to him after a few seasons. The items were selected by his second wife, Margaret Weller-Stargell. Later, he returned to Alameda, California, to live with his mother. His 507-foot home shot in 1969 was the longest at Dodger Stadium. Phone: 602.496.1460 In 1974, the seven-time All-Star was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award. Willie Stargell was a professional baseball player originally from the United States of America. Willie married Margaret Weller in 1993. Dolores Stargell, who was married to the late Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman from 1962 to 1983, said she, her children, and her grandchildren weren't told about the auction. Stargell was a seven-time All-Star and two-time NL home run leader. Willie has been suffering from kidney disease for a long time. Willie Stargell finished his MLB career with 2,232 hits, 475 home runs, and a batting average. On June 25, 1971, Stargell hit the longest home run in Veterans Stadium history during a 144 Pirates win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Willies former Pirates teammates accused him of giving the players amphetamines. The Hall of Famer has had a wonderful life. Willie started improving from the beginning of the 70s. Frequent offseason conditioning problems came to a head in 1967, when Stargell showed up to spring training at a weight of 235 pounds. Besides, these figures, however, vary according to the contract and the skills of the player. 1962 was Willies debut season in Major League Baseball. The Willie Stargell Foundation Facebook: 1,941 Followers, The Willie Stargell Foundation Instagram: 205 Followers. Willie Stargell's family -- specifically his first wife Dolores, son Willie Jr., and daughter Kelli -- are upset about a forthcoming auction organized by his second wife Margaret that will include some of Stargell's most prized possessions, including his World Series and Hall of Fame induction rings and his 1979 NL MVP Award. Willie had already passed on before the dawn of social media. He hit seven of the 18 balls that soared above the Forbes Field bleachers. For all of his MLB career, he played only for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Terms of Use, Willie Stargell with his first wife and son. 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. On April 9, 2001, Willie Stargell passed away. Willie won the MVP title in the same outstanding season. Willie played in all seven games to secure the 4-3 victory. The Willie Stargell Foundation does, however, have a Facebook and Instagram presence. 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. Willie earned the MVP award in the NCLS and also the World Series. The practice began during the turbulent 1978 season, when the Pirates came from fourth place and 11.5 games behind in mid-August, to challenge the first-place Philadelphia Phillies for the division title.