#Shortstops: Stargell’s Star
As the only player to have accomplished the MVP Trifecta (Most Valuable Player Award, the League Championship Most Valuable Player Award and the World Series Most Valuable Player Award) in the same season, Willie Stargell’s place in the Hall of Fame was also cemented by home run distance records and his position as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ leader throughout the 1970s.
“Pops,” as he was called in his later years, held the record for the longest home run in many stadiums of his era, including Olympic Stadium, Three Rivers Stadium and Veterans Stadium.
One of his significant home runs was hit on April 27, 1971, when, in the ninth inning, he hit a fastball tossed by Pete Mikkelsen over the center field fence of Three Rivers Stadium. This was his 11th home run hit in April 1971, making him the new record-holder of home runs in the month of April. After the game, Mikkelsen’s teammate Bill Grabarkewitz said: “Pete should be happy that Willie hit the ball in the air. If he had hit it back through the middle, Mikkelsen would be dead.”
Stargell’s record stood for 26 years until it was broken by Ken Griffey Jr., who hit 13 home runs in April 1997. Luis Gonzalez would tie that mark four years later before Albert Pujols broke it in 2006. With the MLB season now starting regularly in March, others have topped Stargell’s mark before the May 1 cutoff date. But few could match his awesome power.
Stargell’s home run bat – which was a Manny Sanguillén model that Stargell borrowed from his Pirates teammate – was eventually donated to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, where it is preserved in its collections.
Stargell’s record outburst also marked the year he and the Pirates took home the World Series trophy after seven games against the Baltimore Orioles. Stargell ended the season with a .295 batting average and a 1.026 OPS.
After his first World Series ring, Stargell continued to shine.
Stargell’s second half of his career was just as bright as the first. After Roberto Clemente’s tragic death in 1972, Stargell took a leadership position on the Pirates’ roster. In 1973, he finished second in the NL MVP voting, hitting .299 while leading the NL with 43 doubles, 44 home runs and 119 RBI. He was known for giving out “Stargell Stars” to exceptional players and was credited for making “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge the 1979 Pirates’ theme song. With Pops’ leadership, the Pirates eventually went on to win the 1979 World Series against the Orioles, giving them their second of the decade. During this series, Stargell had a .400 batting average, with 12 hits and seven RBI.
For his efforts, Stargell received the 1979 World Series MVP, League Championship MVP and later was named co-NL MVP with Keith Hernandez.
Stargell became the 200th member of the Hall of Fame when he was inducted in 1988, the only inductee that year. He passed away on April 9, 2001, at the age of 61.
Danica Lee is a 2026 programming intern in the Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Leadership Development
