Hall of Famer Stargell Dead at 61
By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer
April 10, 2001
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Willie Stargell always seemed larger than life.
His homers traveled farther than those of nearly every other hitter. His influence spread beyond the clubhouse he dominated and the city he adopted. His leadership rallied those who were not leaders themselves.
That didn't change on the day he died.
As the Pittsburgh Pirates opened PNC Park on Monday, hours after Stargell died of a stroke at age 61 following years of kidney problems, thousands gazed at an imposing 12-foot statue of Stargell that was unveiled only last weekend.
Sure, there were tears -- after all, the Pirates had just lost one of the Family -- but there were smiles, too. Just as it so often was during his Hall of Fame career from 1962-82, Stargell's timing was impeccable, too.
As thunder boomed during an early morning storm hours before the Pirates officially moved into their new ballpark, manager Lloyd McClendon said, ``That's just Willie talking to us.''
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