I know I did. Our whole little league in Edgeworth had their own Stargell windmill pump version and if you ever hit one out, we practiced his Home Run Trot, we loved that Pirates Team. My Mom, God Bless her brought us kids by bus to Game 4 of the 1971 World Series sat right behind Willie in left and watched with amazement of the magic of Roberto Clemente, the Series MVP. Thanks Mom!!!
What was missing was the All Star Game MVP, which he wasn't even selected as an All Star that year, but his teammate Dave Parker took home the All Star game MVP.. What an amazing year for Pops.
The previous year he was comeback player of the year. Remember he was near 40 accomplishing this which makes it even more impressive. He had such a great presence in the clubhouse and wonderful man. R.I.P. Willie
You said you went to many games in 1979. I wondered how Ed Ott feels about the new rule. Not allowed to run over the catcher. He loved that part of the game. One catcher you couldn't run over.
I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 70s, played serious baseball, was a huge Pirates fan. Wiffle ball games took forever cuz most kids did Stargell's batting routine on every pitch. Willie learned from Roberto... greatest Pirate of all time. 1979 was a magical year in Pittsburgh for many reasons. I watched every pitch of that Series. Heck, I was at Roberto's final game (his 3,000th hit), and I've been to games at PNC, Three Rivers, and Forbes. Today's Gen Z and Millenial fans have zero clue how good 70s players were. Almost no one today hits tape measure shots like Stargell and a few others from the 60s and 70s.
I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 70s, played serious baseball, was a huge Pirates fan. Wiffle ball games took forever cuz most kids did Stargell's batting routine on every pitch. Willie learned from Roberto... greatest Pirate of all time. I watched every pitch of that Series. I was at Roberto's final game (his 3,000th hit) 12th row between the plate and Pirates' dugout, and I've been to games at PNC, Three Rivers, and Forbes. Went to spring training as a kid and had a great moment with Dave Parker at Omar Moreno's expense. Learned pitching mechanics at a clinic from Bruce Kison. Saw Bob Robertson hit a softball line drive so hard in a charity game that it stuck in the outfield chain link fence. Years later working in New England after college, out with coworkers having drinks, I was saved from arrest because of Steve Blass. I even flew my young sons from our home in Florida to see their first MLB game at PNC (and go to Kennywood, etc.). My outfielder son wore #21 for years. Many years later at a Florida high school, my sons had a volunteer assistant coach who grew up in Pittsburgh, was drafted by them and played in the minors, and had been hugely successful college coach with a son who was drafted first round and a grandson who was the #1 overall pick.
LOL. Howard Cossell says "THE BIG MAN" during the home run trot. Just looked up his stats. He was listed at 6'-2", 188 lbs. Wow, we all thought he was big back then, but he's normal now, if not small for a first baseman.
It was Clemente in the ‘71 Series and Stargell in the ‘79 Series. The 70s was a good decade for the Bucs.
From the mid-1960's through the 1970's the Pirates were the biggest road attendance team in MLB. Everyone wanted to see Clemente and Stargell.
It was a Privelege Watching Clemente and Stargell. Real Legends and Treated Fans Like We Were The Stars.
Reds, Orioles, Pirates, A's Yankees, Royals & Phillies very good ball clubs.
Every kid on the 70s mimicked that warmup swing
I know I did. Our whole little league in Edgeworth had their own Stargell windmill pump version and if you ever hit one out, we practiced his Home Run Trot, we loved that Pirates Team. My Mom, God Bless her brought us kids by bus to Game 4 of the 1971 World Series sat right behind Willie in left and watched with amazement of the magic of Roberto Clemente, the Series MVP. Thanks Mom!!!
Me too!
What was missing was the All Star Game MVP, which he wasn't even selected as an All Star that year, but his teammate Dave Parker took home the All Star game MVP.. What an amazing year for Pops.
Willie's my favorite ever!
Pittsburgh-"Seven Heaven in the 70'." Two W.S. - Four S.B. - NCAA national in football. Liked that Sports Illustrated cover of Pop and Bradshaw.
The previous year he was comeback player of the year. Remember he was near 40 accomplishing this which makes it even more impressive. He had such a great presence in the clubhouse and wonderful man. R.I.P. Willie
The MLB didn’t start giving out Comeback Player of the Year until 2005. So, who gave Willie the award in 1978?
I always loved that Chicken on the Hill with Will!
That trademark Stargell bat pump before every pitch.
I went to a bunch of Pirate games in 79 including game 5 of the series. Those were great memories.
You said you went to many games in 1979. I wondered how Ed Ott feels about the new rule. Not allowed to run over the catcher. He loved that part of the game. One catcher you couldn't run over.
@@johnmatzye6633 Ed Ott was an awesome catcher. Steve Nicosia was pretty good to.
Stargell & Gibson kinda had similar MVP seasons in the fact their stats were OK, but their leadership was beyond metrics (Kirk Gibson)
We love, and are eternally grateful to "Pops"...Mr. Wilver Stargell. A perfect ending to my favorite Baseball season ever!
Fantastic pic. My first year following baseball and 1st Favorite team & Player.
MVP of that series. Incredible swing to take a low pitch and power it out of any side of the field.
He was, like a no-doubter homerun, the BEST player that year.
I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 70s, played serious baseball, was a huge Pirates fan. Wiffle ball games took forever cuz most kids did Stargell's batting routine on every pitch. Willie learned from Roberto... greatest Pirate of all time. 1979 was a magical year in Pittsburgh for many reasons. I watched every pitch of that Series. Heck, I was at Roberto's final game (his 3,000th hit), and I've been to games at PNC, Three Rivers, and Forbes. Today's Gen Z and Millenial fans have zero clue how good 70s players were. Almost no one today hits tape measure shots like Stargell and a few others from the 60s and 70s.
I miss those days, I saw Clemente play.
I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 70s, played serious baseball, was a huge Pirates fan. Wiffle ball games took forever cuz most kids did Stargell's batting routine on every pitch. Willie learned from Roberto... greatest Pirate of all time. I watched every pitch of that Series. I was at Roberto's final game (his 3,000th hit) 12th row between the plate and Pirates' dugout, and I've been to games at PNC, Three Rivers, and Forbes. Went to spring training as a kid and had a great moment with Dave Parker at Omar Moreno's expense. Learned pitching mechanics at a clinic from Bruce Kison. Saw Bob Robertson hit a softball line drive so hard in a charity game that it stuck in the outfield chain link fence. Years later working in New England after college, out with coworkers having drinks, I was saved from arrest because of Steve Blass. I even flew my young sons from our home in Florida to see their first MLB game at PNC (and go to Kennywood, etc.). My outfielder son wore #21 for years. Many years later at a Florida high school, my sons had a volunteer assistant coach who grew up in Pittsburgh, was drafted by them and played in the minors, and had been hugely successful college coach with a son who was drafted first round and a grandson who was the #1 overall pick.
Flanagan won his only cy-young that year in '79. Willie crushed him.
He's oldest player in the NL league
LOL. Howard Cossell says "THE BIG MAN" during the home run trot. Just looked up his stats. He was listed at 6'-2", 188 lbs. Wow, we all thought he was big back then, but he's normal now, if not small for a first baseman.
WILLIE WAS ROBBED IN 1979. THE MVP BELONGED ALL TO WILLIE ♥️♥️🙏🙏🙏
Notice the players blowing cold smoke out of their mouths. I believe they recorded the temperatures around in the 30’s.
Chicken on the hill with Will!
Whenever Howard Cosell spoke, I wanted to throw something at the TV.
I'm convinced the writers didn't cast their MVP votes until the post-season was in the books.
Why u said that
@@ericcollins8794 I’m thinking you failed English 1A.
I'm not a Mets fan, but Keith Hernandez should have won the MVP outright in 1979.