Richard "Pete" PETERSON

Read in July, 2013
Format Hardcover (edit)
Review Willie Stargell story..1940-2001

Apr 14,2001 at St Paul's Episcopall Church Wilmington NC,
they celebrated his career and a life well lived.

A few days later in St Mary of Mercy Church in Pittsburgh, mourners
arrived"to relive the memories and highlights of a life that touched us all"
(Bishop Donald Wuerl)

Willie Stargell's major league debut was Sept 16, 1962
He batted left...threw left....
He was a Pittsburgh Pirate from 1962���1982

I'm not a baseball historian....I simply listened and remember ....
Willie Stargell became the head of the Pirates' family.
For Pirates and their fans, 1979 was the season of Stargell's Stars (gold felt stars given the player for a well done) and "We Are Family"
..(the Sister Sledge hit that Willie wanted played in the bottom of the seventh inning at every Pirate game)
"For the rest of his career and the rest of is life he'd be celebrated as Pops, the name given by Dave Parker to express affection for Stargell and to rib him about his age (39)"

In the Pirate franchise, 10 players who'd spent all or most of their career in Pgh, had preceded Stargell into the hall of fame in 1988.

The one teammate he most respected in his 20 years in Pirate uniform was Roberto Clemente, ..
He said that no player taught him more about playing the game and the will to win.
Important to note:
He wanted the next generation to know that dreams do become a reality .
"If there's anyone in the projects sitting up there, here's living proof ...with hard work, determination and dedication, you can make a great indentationl
"

Simply, Willie Stargell believed he was born to play baseball......and that he did.
----------------

In Pops, you'll find
a closeup
of Willie and also an ongoing analysis of the Pirate franchise.
For more "Stargell according to Stargell".... perhaps his autobiography. ......( published 1984)… (mais)