“He doesn’t just hit pitchers. He takes away their dignity” -Don Sutton on Stargell
Rich Zawadski kindly sent in 1962 Willie Mays this week for Monster Monday but alas, I featured ’62 Mays six years ago. Thanks anyway, Rich!
This week, I’m posting a slow OF-1. Yikes. But you can see his card. It’s another Willie… Pittsburgh Pirate Willie Stargell from 1971.
Willie Stargell helped the Pirates to the 1971 NL playoffs, championship, and eventual World Series win over the Orioles. He did with a league leading 48 homers. He drove in 125 runs and hit just shy of .300 (.295).
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 Totals | 141 | 606 | 511 | 104 | 151 | 26 | 0 | 48 | 125 | 0 | 83 | 154 | .295 | .398 | .628 |
Three things I remember about Willie Stargell:
- his very distinctive warmup swing in the batters box
- How he rallied the Pirates to win it all in 1979
- His Illowa APBA League manager was a big fan
Looking at Stargell’s career, it amazes me that Willie was already 31 in 1971. I know that more now that I’m replaying the 1966 NL. He was a big part of Bucs’ lineup then. Yet, I was just beginning to follow baseball around the early 70s. By the time 1979 rolled around, I was in high school and could fully appreciate his leadership qualities.
For now, just enjoy the five juicy power numbers… indeed a rarity in the 70s.
