THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 15, 1996 TAG: 9604150154
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
None of the children at Charlestown fields would remember Willie Stargell from his playing days. At 56, ``Pops'' had retired before most of the baseball players at West Kempsville Recreation Association's opening day ceremonies were born.
But regardless of their ages, they will or have heard stories about Stargell from their parents and grandparents.
They will hear how the former Pittsburgh Pirate hit 475 career home runs and was elected into major league baseball's Hall of Fame in 1988. Or about his home run in the seventh game of the 1979 World Series that gave the Pirates the lead for good. Or the fact that he was respected by teammates and opponents as a class act; as a father figure.
In between signing autographs, the Wilmington, N.C., resident and coordinator of the Atlanta Braves minor league system also found time to answer a few questions.
Despite the off-the-field incidents, should a player like Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame?
You have to look at the numbers and what an individual meant to the club and to baseball. All of Pete Rose's stats indicate nothing but the Hall of Fame. It's written all over him.
What are some of the biggest differences in baseball between now and the time you retired in 1982?
(The athletes) are bigger, stronger, quicker and more multi-talented. And they make more money.
What was the biggest highlight of your career?
Probably, learning how to win. ... then winning and being consistent with it. From 1970-80, we won six divisional titles and we won two World Series. We expected to win every year.
What was it like when you won your first World Series in 1971?
It was very intimidating. As a kid, you would always say `Boy I sure would like to play in the World Series.' When it happens to you, it's a whole different world because everybody has been eliminated but two teams. So people all over the world are focusing in on two teams for that week or 10 days. The second one, I knew what to expect and I was more relaxed. I had a keen idea of what needed to be done.
What was it like when you decided to announce your retirement?
I knew. And that's one thing that every player knows but they won't admit it. And that's why when they offered me another contract for an additional year, I said `no.'
What was like when you were inducted to the Hall of Fame? Is there anything better than that?
It's funny because you can work hard as a team to make the right kind of chemistry and the right kind of talent to win. But there was never, ever one game or one moment that I had out on that field, figuring it was going to be good enough for me to get into the Hall of Fame. Then to get up there and see the guys I was also in awe of when I was coming up, Ted Williams, (Mickey) Mantle, all of those guys. (Willie) Mays, (Henry) Aaron, (Jackie) Robinson, (Joe) DiMaggio. To be in that same fraternity, it gave me goose bumps.
Are there any problems with major league baseball and if so, what are they?
It doesn't affect me one way or the other. We're looking for the quality of the players from one game to the next. Some kind of way, the ballclubs are going to make their money. ILLUSTRATION: JAMES C. BLACK
The Virginian-Pilot
Willie Stargell signs autographs during West Kempsville Recreation
Association opening-day ceremonies.
by CNB