Don't have time to write much, but I just can't let today go by without giving a birthday shout-out to the late, truly great Wilver Dornell Stargell, who would have been 72 today. Hall of Famer, 1979 NL co-MVP (you can make the case that he should have won it in '71 and '73 instead, or as well), spiritual leader of the "We Are Family" Pirates, fan favorite, all-around class act and a guy with the proverbial "heart as big as all outdoors," "Pops" was one of the coolest dudes to ever play the game.
In this 1975 photo above (which was later reproduced in the Pirates' '76 yearbook), Willie chills out in the Three Rivers clubhouse while rocking his best Curtis Mayfield look. To see the man in action, check out this 55-second video salute from the Hall of Fame, which contains the great Don Sutton line: "Stargell doesn't just hit pitchers, he takes away their dignity."
If you played wiffle ball in the 70s while a plastic Pirates batting helment, the "Pops" swing/loop with the lumber was obligatory...Just classic..
Posted by: Dave Grob | 03/07/2012 at 04:06 PM
Your ptosing lays bare the truth
Posted by: John | 03/28/2012 at 12:54 PM