Willie Stargell quotes

Willie Stargell, born in 1940, was a legendary baseball player and Hall of Famer. As a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates for his entire 21-year career, Stargell was known for his tremendous power and leadership skills. He played a pivotal role in the Pirates' 1971 and 1979 World Series victories. Stargell, also known as "Pops," was a beloved figure both on and off the field. His incredible batting prowess earned him two National League home run titles and the 1979 National League MVP award. Today, Stargell's name is immortalized in baseball history. Learn more about this iconic slugger's remarkable journey and achievements.

I eventually became proud of my strikeouts, because each one represented another learning experience.

- Willie Stargell

We devote our entire lives to becoming good ball players. We take batting practice until our hands bleed.

- Willie Stargell

We all wore a 21 patch that one season as a silent tribute to our deceased teammate Roberto.

- Willie Stargell

That's where the future lies, in the youth of today.

- Willie Stargell

I see a lot of people who love their jobs. I see some garbage collectors smiling as they go about their work.

- Willie Stargell

You only have a few years to play this game and you can't play it if you're all tied up in knots.

- Willie Stargell

Playing baseball was my dream, and no amount of money could sway my opinion.

- Willie Stargell

I've always been a slave to my heart.

- Willie Stargell

Unfortunately, inner feelings and potential are often stunted by our parents, relatives or peers.

- Willie Stargell

It's supposed to be fun, the man says 'Play Ball' not 'Work Ball' you know.

- Willie Stargell

I wasn't out drinking and abusing my body. I simply loved to go out and dance.

- Willie Stargell

I flailed my arm in a throwing motion before I could even walk.

- Willie Stargell

I was always a self-proclaimed poor slider.

- Willie Stargell

Never was I booed.

- Willie Stargell

I loved to hit with men on base and with the game on the line.

- Willie Stargell

The bat is gone, but the smile remains.

- Willie Stargell

A World Series trophy is a wonderful thing to behold.

- Willie Stargell

I owe a large part of my success to Joe Brown, who helped me both as a player and a person.

- Willie Stargell

I love September, especially when we're in it.

- Willie Stargell

They give you a round bat and they throw you a round ball and they tell you to hit it square.

- Willie Stargell

If a reporter doesn't like the person he's writing about, it shows up in his article.

- Willie Stargell

People like us are afraid to leave ball. What else is there to do? When baseball has been your whole life, you can't think about a future without it, so you hang on as long as you can.

- Willie Stargell

To middle-class parents, the project team may have seemed unfit for children, but it was exactly what I needed.

- Willie Stargell

Human beings are pampered by the Lord. Their real tests don't come until later in life.

- Willie Stargell

I never search for a reason why - I have faith in the Lord's purpose.

- Willie Stargell

My first job after my retirement from baseball was as a narrator for the Eastman Philharmonica.

- Willie Stargell

Reporters often forget that athletes are human beings.

- Willie Stargell

I'm always amazed when a pitcher becomes angry at a hitter for hitting a home run off him. When I strike out, I don't get angry at the pitcher, I get angry at myself. I would think that if a pitcher threw up a home run ball, he should be angry at himself.

- Willie Stargell

I gave out stars whenever an appropriate situation presented itself.

- Willie Stargell

When we make a mistake, it becomes front-page news. We don't need any reporter telling us how badly we played.

- Willie Stargell