Willie Stargell 1988 Hall of Fame Induction Speech

Popular and powerful, Willie Stargell crushed 475 career homers, leading the National League with 48 blasts in 1971 and 44 in '73. An intimidating left-handed batter, Stargell helped popularize the following of tape-measure home runs during the 1960s and '70s. His influence extended into the clubhouse, where he rewarded teammates with stars for outstanding performances. His father-figure status earned him the nickname Pops and his leadership helped the Pirates win world championships in 1971 and '79, when he shared National League MVP honors.
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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is home to the greatest stars and the history of the game. Located in scenic Cooperstown, New York, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the sport's history, honoring excellence within the game, and connecting generations through baseball.

[@josiewetzler4145]

Funny story --- At this time, my family was living in upstate NY - just a few hours from Cooperstown. Being the Pirate fan he is, my dad decided to make the trip to see Willie get inducted. On mintue 4:50, there is a shot of three Pirates fans taking in the moment... including my dad (He's the one clapping). I am now the same age he was in this video. What makes it bittersweet is that he passed away in 2001. But now we have this small 5 second clip of dad in his hay day -- living life and cheering on the Pirates and goog ol' Willie. Thank you HOF. :)

[@THOMAS81Z]

funny how life goes by so fast & ur older then your " old man " back in the day lol, thanks for sharing the memory

[@swordfish52]

Great story Josie .... Prayers for your Dad ... Jimmy ...

[@lightyearsfromhome1165]

Your words and this video really shed light on life itself. It's more than just baseball.

[@canuckleville7524]

Very nice little story.

[@phoenix-pu1no]

Willie Stargell is my all time favorite sports figure regardless of sport. Josie, that was a GREAT story to share! Not only do you have a beautiful memory of your Father, but it is also forever documented and shared with all. God bless you and your Dad!!! Let's go Buccos! ⚾️❤🏆

[@kenarthur6253]

Willie and Roberto Clemente were the heart and soul of those great Pirates teams.

[@deloreswillis9224]

Amen. Loved them to heaven RIP2 great baseball players‼️‼️

[@felixmadison5736]

And the great Pirate HOF manager, Danny Murtaugh, was the glue that held it all together!!

[@Margaux177]

"Pops" was a very fine and decent man, a real man, and a great baseball player. I miss him and players like him.

[@graciebern13]

He was a drug pusher and a thug

[@ManuelGuzman067]

@@graciebern13 what?

[@jeffthewhiff]

Willie was definitely a class-act and he will always be my favorite Pirate player of all-time. Excellent speech too!

[@deloreswillis9224]

I concur echo your valuable words❤

[@patrickj.7887]

One of the greatest come backs in World Series History (1979) was led by the great Willie Stargell (Series MVP)!

[@ManuelGuzman067]

He was in 2 world series like the great one Roberto Clemente

[@felixmadison5736]

I've followed the Pirates ever since Bill Mazeroski hit the homer that beat the Yankees in the 1960 World Series, when I was 11 years-young in 1960. Man, I loved Pops!!! Willie looks like he's a former defensive lineman getting inducted into the football HOF! The man was huge and hit huge homers!! I miss you Willie and thanks for the great baseball memories! May you forever RIP.

[@deloreswillis9224]

Sooooiooo enduring ❤

[@deloreswillis9224]

Very elegant inspirational speech❤‼️‼️

[@dragonflypat]

Vin Scully would announce Wilver Stargell coming to bat, "And here comes WILLLLLLVER STARGELL!" Vin had great affection and admiration for Wilver, and it showed when Vin called him just coming up to bat. I never knew Stargell as Willie. I always knew him as Wilver Stargell because of Vin Scully. And if Vinny thought that you were one of the best baseball players, that was good enough for me.

[@TheBatugan77]

Wilver also appreciated Vin's effort. But the Mets announcers called him Wilver as well. At least Lindsey Nelson did.

[@deloreswillis9224]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@aa697]

I will never forget the homerun he hit at Shea Stadium which hit the centerfielder scoreboard. I was 8 years old and although I am Yankees fan my father had tickets for the Mets game against Pittsburgh. And we can never forget the 1979 world series he had. MVP. RIP Pops. These guys from the 1960s and 1970s were real ballplayers.

[@deloreswillis9224]

Yessssssss indeed‼️

[@gvalley07]

As a kid, my first baseball glove was the "Willie Stargell" autograph model. RIP "Pops"

[@deloreswillis9224]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@danacoleman4007]

My favorite player of all time! next to my own kids of course. wonderful human being! really a shame we lost him at such a young age.

[@cubswin3838]

We are family! The Stargell Stars inspired his team. A true leader! A great student of Roberto Clemente !

[@harveycooper3293]

If Willie was in a larger media market he would have had a million hit's on this site. He was the standard of a power hitting first baseman who truly was a "Hall of Famer" as his career was proof of it.

[@felixmadison5736]

I agree, and if Willie had played his career with the Yankees and that short porch in RF, he would have hit more than 700 home runs in his career.

[@louiedangelo3843]

Class act right there. R I P Pops Stargell

[@jerryhoward8133]

Grew up watching Willie play. Saw him one day at Shea Stadium launch two shots off of Tom Seaver and Tug McGraw two of the very best at that time. Very modest man who was a true leader and inspiration to all on and off the field.

[@lightyearsfromhome1165]

This saddens me. Forever in my heart as a hall of famer and mostly as a human being. Thanks Willie.

[@danielcorreard3746]

as a pirates fan willie was my 2nd favorite pirates player of all time next to the great roberto clemente rip both

[@nickcolavito4665]

Thanks for the memories...Willie....Rip!

[@deloreswillis9224]

Yayyyyyyyyyyy

[@JudgeSzn99]

I love the man there are no men like him now so its just very sad

[@chrisbailey1529]

His rhetoric is on point. Fantastic speech.

[@buddmannable]

The definition of Class. Grew up watching Willie at Wrigley when the Pirates came to town.

[@burnout_2017]

Thank you willie. Rest in peace pops

[@melbias5046]

my brother took me to shea stadium when i was 10 years old baseball was in my blood watching the Mets and yankees in new York I knew all the players, so he takes me to a Monday game i forget the holiday but it was a doubleheader and we got there around the second inning but i remember sitting in the upper deck the place was packed remember willie because of his no 8 and I was saying to myself oh wow willie stargell. I remember it like it was yesterday.

[@loiza59]

Great player and human being. Willie was a class act and the Pirate Nation will always honor his outstanding contribution to baseball and the community in Pittsburgh! RIP "Pops"!

[@deloreswillis9224]

🙏🏿🩷🙏🏿🩷🙏🏿

[@victorialouden1912]

I live in cincinnati and im a reds man g r ew up withe the big red machine i was always in awe when ever i saw willie at the plate and i r eff member in 1979 and this man and the cobra num 39. Carring the pirites to the champio ship when willie i heard passed away i was driving it came on the radio and i remember just absolutely tearing up and i was physically not well the rest of that day!! Thanks #8 for those childhood memories playing rubber ball in the street and doing my best stargell imitation with the bat and you all know what willie would do with that club he swung!! R.I.P. legend you deserve it!!

[@melbias5046]

pops! they don't make em like pops anymore.

[@deloreswillis9224]

Sho DON’T

[@chriswright1871]

Big Will is My HERO. RIP #8

[@darreljohnson3644]

Willie's bat windmill and Morgan's chicken wing.RIP to both men.

[@ericdailey8587]

the story is that it was Pie Traynor who got Willie doing the windmill thing. Willie was struggling at the plate and got some advice from Traynor. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZPWfnyijrajmpo

[@tommybdutton]

A class act

[@DaveKostka]

He spent the summer of 1960 (10 years before I was born) playing minor league baseball in my hometown for the Grand Forks Chiefs.

[@dannybaseball5549]

R.I.P Willie Starge

[@cubswin3838]

Pirates had something those Earl Weaver teams didn't have. Playing baseball SMART!

[@jeffbarksdale5835]

No one could say Stargell like Howard Cosell

[@deloreswillis9224]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Manuel-zo3wg]

Sad he did not get to see his life statue unveied

[@deloreswillis9224]

Yesssssss my exact feeling

[@stgxbj9990]

What was his position

[@samuelmoulds1016]

BJ Riddick Willie started in left field and ended his career at 1st base!

[@graciebern13]

Chief drug pusher

[@robthewarheadthomas6398]

Are you SURE Mrs. Percy Russell isn't Willie in a sun dress???

[@graciebern13]

Did he make sure to thank the guy who used to supply him all the amphetamines he used to supply his teammates and opposing players ?

[@TheBatugan77]

🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕 Thank that.

[@douglasudell3616]

Even when we as black men are dead there will be some one to try to kill us again

[@deloreswillis9224]

AMEN .. I KR

[@chriswright1871]

Big Will is My HERO. RIP #8