"We won, we lived and we enjoyed as one," Stargell said. ", Pirates announcer Bob Prince adopted it immediately: "Chicken on the Hill!" Beginning in 1975, after years of experimenting at the position, Stargell moved permanently to first base. Thats part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. CINCINNATI - It's the end of an era. He became the third player, after Lou Boudreau in 1946 and Joe Adcock in 1954, to collect five extra-base hits in one game. Willie Stargell is a MLB baseball player. [17] Commissioner Peter Ueberroth later cleared Stargell and Madlock of any wrongdoing. Many of the football players came from homes with no fathers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Only four other home runs have been hit out of Dodger Stadium. That's what $20,000 does, literally.". In seven of the next nine seasons, Stargell finished in the top 10 in MVP voting, as his career moved onto a Hall of Fame track. How many home runs did Willie Stargell hit? While in Plainview, Texas, he was accosted at gunpoint by a man who threatened his life if he played in that night's game. Privacy Policy Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. One of the loudest came during the Pirates' final game at Three Rivers on Oct. 1, 2000, several days after it was announced the statue would be erected at PNC Park. On April he was admitted at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C. Willard Stargel and UC teammates from 1946 (Courtesy of University of Cincinnati Archives & Rare Books Library). Willie, or "Pops," as you like to call him, was an American professional baseball player. His body was buried at the Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. One of the greatest home run hitters ever, in volume and in distance, Stargell hit 475 homers - many of them soaring, majestic shots that rattled a pitcher's confidence. If you took the approach that is currently being taken regarding the use of steroids, these players were all cheaters as well. After suffering for several years from a kidney disorder, Stargell died from a stroke on April 9, 2001, in Wilmington, N.C. A plaque of Willard Stargel hangs on the wall facing the field. That's how much respect we have for the man. Only months from his 40th birthday, he made an unprecedented three-way sweep of MVP awards, sharing the NL award with Keith Hernandez of St. Louis and winning it in the playoffs and World Series -- a feat still not matched. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. display: block; Stargell's first wife, Dolores, kept detailed statistics on every ball he hit and estimated he would have had 22 more homers in 1969 if the Pirates had played in Three Rivers Stadium, which opened a year later. Willie Stargell had 2,232 hits in his career. Nicknamed "Pops," Stargell was a dynamic leader on the field with his tape-measure shots and a fatherly yet forceful presence off it, distributing his coveted Stargell stars for extra effort to teammates who proudly attached them to their ballcaps. When it comes to Stargell gamers, there are two key characteristics to note. He won the final two NL Player of the Month awards of his career in April (.347, 11 HR, 27 RBI) and in June (.333, 11 HR, 36 RBI); yet he did not win the MVP award, finishing second to Joe Torre. 8, here are eight cards that spanned the slugger's career. Stargell died of a stroke two days after a 12-foot (4-metre) bronze statue of him was unveiled at the opening of the Pirates new stadium, PNC Park. A 12-foot bronze statue of Willie Stargell was unveiled at the left field entrance to the Pirates new ballpark in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Willie Stargell made his MLB debut at the end of the 1962 season at the age of 22. He had problems with his kidneys for several years before his death. The short fence in right field (300 feet (91m) to the foul pole) at Forbes Field was guarded by a screen more than 20 feet (6.1m) high which ran from the right-field line to the 375-foot (114m) mark in right center. In 1982, the Pirates retired his uniform number 8. He is from USA. A powerful hitter, Stargell finished his career with 475 home runs, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he played parts of eight seasons in Pittsburghs cavernous Forbes Field. He has concerns over the West End's history and its future. Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series victories with his tape-measure home runs and patriarchal leadership, died Monday after a long illness. Wilver Dornell Stargell (March 6, 1940 April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" later in his career, was an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman who spent all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) (19621982) with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Stargell reluctantly became the Pirates' leader upon Clemente's death in a Dec. 31, 1972, plane crash, saying, "There's a time in a man's life when he has to decide if he's going to be a man.". They won the Public High School League in 1960 and '61 and -- amazingly -- sent fourplayers from the 1960 team Walter Johnson, Al Nelson, Cid Edwards and Ward to the NFL. Stargell enjoyed another fine season in 1970, batting .264 with 31 home runs and 85 RBIs and finishing 15th in MVP voting. The best offer he could get was teaching phys-ed in junior high, and he had to go back to summer school to get credits to qualify. Alternate titles: Pops Stargell, Wilver Dornel Stargell. With Stargell batting cleanup for most of his 20-year career, the Pirates won World Series championships and NL pennants in 1971 and 1979 and six NL East titles from 1970-79. Stargell refused to participate in the team's plans, still stinging from the team's refusal to even consider him for its managerial job that season. Stargell died on the day the Pirates opened their new ballpark, PNC Park, where a 12-foot bronze statue of Stargell's likeness was unveiled Saturday. Steelers' legend Franco Harris died Wednesday, just two days before the 50 th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception and just three days before his number 32 is retired by the Steelers during a game at Acrisure Stadium against the Las Vegas Raiders.. Pirates' legend Willie Stargell died just two days after his statue was unveiled outside PNC Park. Live. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Fri 20 Apr 2001 21.07 EDT. It's the end of an era. "November the 19th. Stargell's last game was on October 3, 1982 at Three Rivers Stadium against the Montreal Expos. He left center stage to the 38-year-old Clemente, who, fearful he would never play in another Series, turned the postseason into a personal showcase of his grace, talent and determination. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Willie-Stargell, 8 (1977-1979, Pittsburgh Pirates) 8 (1970-1976, Pittsburgh Pirates) 8 (1962-1982, Pittsburgh Pirates). For the third year in a row, he was narrowly edged out of the MVP award, as Pete Rose took the honor. , money, salary, income, and assets. He had three homers, including the decisive shot in Game 7 in Baltimore, as the Pirates rallied from a 3-1 deficit to wrest the World Series from the favored Orioles. I guess it was the best part of my younger life - good teachers, good coaches and,most of all, good students. Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente estimated, perhaps generously, that Stargell hit 400 fly balls to the warning track in left and center fields during his eight seasons in the park. }, First published on April 9, 2001 / 8:32 AM. He was subjected to racism in the minor leagues, where an angry fan once confronted him with a shotgun. [11] He retired with 475 home runs despite playing much of his career at Forbes Field, whose center field distance was 457 feet (139m). The current StargelStadium No. Only 14 months later, Clemente was dead. He had to suffer from quite complications in his love life. In 1974, the seven-time All-Star was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award. Willie Stargell, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series championships with his tape-measure home runs and patriarchal leadership, died on this date in 2001 of a stroke at a medical facility in Wilmington, N.C. He believed you could do anything you want to do, Chapman said. Great team." Stargell died in April 2001. His 475 career home runs, 1,540. The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Willie Stargell is a MLB baseball player. Monica Williams is counting on that, too. Stargell never hit more than 33 homers in Forbes Field, but hit 48 in his first full season in Three Rivers in 1971 and had 125 from 1971-73 until knee and elbow injuries cut into his production. Willie Stargell was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993. The Pirates did win the World Series in 1979, in a similar style as they had ended the 1978 season: from last place in the NL East at the end of April, the Pirates clawed their way into a first-place battle with the Montreal Expos during the latter half of the season. Growing up in Pittsburgh, in an era when the Steelers were terrible every year, the Pirates, unlike today, were the team. 2001 The Associated Press. When did willie stargell die? Stargell lost some of that weight, but gained weight again while working for the Pittsburgh front office.[19]. Apart from that, Willie was married to his second wife, Margaret Weller at the time he died. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. After Mr. Stargell retired in 1982, the Pirates' fortunes sagged. Stargells play declined in the following seasons, and he retired from baseball in 1982. Willie Stargell I see a lot of people who love their jobs. ", For his first 10 years in the majors, Stargell was content to play in Clemente's shadow, even after he passed Clemente in production. Willie Stargell. PITTSBURGH -- Willie Stargell, the thunderous home run hitter who carried the Pittsburgh Pirates into two World Series with his power and helped win them with his patriarchal leadership, died Monday. He hit a second home run out of Dodger Stadium on May 8, 1973, against Andy Messersmith, measured at 470 feet (140m). Just as Clemente mentored him, Mr. Stargell said he tried to mentor other players. Many in the West End community are not ready to let go of their historic field because of what it represents: a tribute to Willard Stargel, a former sports hero and a beloved Taft coach and teacher who overcame racism on the field and in the workplace. Stargell died on the same day that the Pittsburgh Pirates opened their new ballpark, PNC Park. According to some sources, his . Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. One of the greatest home run hitters ever, in volume and in distance, Stargell hit 475 homers -- many of them soaring, majestic shots that rattled a pitcher's confidence. Big and powerful at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, with a deep, commanding voice, Stargell intimidated pitchers even before they delivered the ball by pinwheeling the bat in rhythm with their delivery. Further details are below. He formed the Black Athletes Foundation (BAF) shortly after President Richard M. Nixon identified the disease as a "national health problem" in the early 1970s. He was married to Margaret Weller, Dolores Parker and Lois Beard. Teammate Al Oliver once said, "If he asked us to jump off the Fort Pitt Bridge, we would ask him what kind of dive he wanted. He has led the National League in home runs two times and RBIs once. [4] He might have quit baseball over the racial difficulties that he experienced, but he was encouraged by letters he received from friend and baseball scout Bob Zuk. Works: Willie Stargell: An Autobiography. WATCH StargelStadium dedication in 2004. April 9, 2020 5 AM PT Willie Stargell, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series championships with his tape-measure home runs and patriarchal leadership, died on this date in 2001. In the top pf the 13th, Willie Stargell clubbed a two-run blast into the right field bleachers, spoiling the joyous coming out party for the new Atlanta Braves. Besides, these figures, however, vary according to the contract and the skills of the player. Count that, too, as part of the legacy of Willard Stargel. [26], List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders, List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle, List of Major League Baseball home run records, List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders, List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise, "Willie Stargell at the Baseball Hall of Fame", "Biography: Stargell, Wilver Dornell (Willie, Pops)", "Obituary: Willie Stargell: Numbers couldn't measure the man", April 17, 1964 Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets Play by Play and Box Score, "September 30, 1978 Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score and Play by Play", "Montreal Expos at Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score, October 3, 1982 | Baseball-Reference.com", "June 25, 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates at Philadelphia Phillies Box Score and Play by Play", "Stargell's star a lasting tribute; Blast is marking point for all hitters", "Stargell was Pirates' inspirational leader in '70s", "In a time of upheaval, a constant remains Chipper Jones", "Willie Stargell Gave Out Amphetamines, Dale Berra Testifies", "Stargell hospitalized, undergoing treatment", "100 Greatest Baseball Players by the Sporting News: A Legendary List by Baseball Almanac", "Willie Stargell: Numbers couldn't measure the man", "Sickle Cell Society Inc/Murray Irvis Genetic Disease Center: A History of Care", "The Williie Stargell Foundation Website", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willie_Stargell&oldid=1132452504, September 16,1962,for thePittsburgh Pirates, October 3,1982,for thePittsburgh Pirates, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 8 January 2023, at 23:36. Stargell enjoyed his best season in 1971, with 48 homers and 125 RBIs. Years later, he said the nickname bestowed on that team -- the Family, from the Sister Sledge song, "We Are Family" -- wasn't a misnomer. Willie Stargell. Baseball, Fun, Men. The Pirates retired his #8 Jersey. Theearly '60s were the glory days ofTaft football. He also reconciled with the Pirates after a public rift of undetermined origin in the 1980s that made fans boo him and caused the abrupt cancellation of a team-sponsored Willie Stargell night. Willie was married to his second wife until he died of a stroke. He was married to Margaret Weller, Dolores Parker and Lois Beard. He hit seven of the 18 homers over the right-field roof at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field from 1909-70 and once held the record for the longest homer in nearly half of the National League parks. In addition to his NLCS and World Series MVP awards, Stargell finally took home the elusive MVP award (as co-winner along with St. Louis' Keith Hernandez) at the age of 39. He was 61. Frequent offseason conditioning problems came to a head in 1967, when Stargell showed up to spring training at a weight of 235 pounds. He slumped badly in 1976, after Dolores developed a blood clot on her brain, but won the comeback player of the year award in 1978 after hitting 28 homers and driving in 97 runs in 390 at-bats. [7] He made his first of seven trips to the All-Star Game that year. He was a member of the Pirates' World Championship team, the Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. [4] On April 7, 2001, two days before Stargell died, a larger-than-life statue of him was unveiled at the Pirates' new stadium, PNC Park, as part of the opening-day ceremonies. Despite developing a kidney disorder that required frequent dialysis, Stargell later worked in the Braves' minor league department for 10 years until returning to the Pirates yet again in 1997 as an aide to general manager Cam Bonifay. [23][24][25], Wilver Willie Stargell Avenue (formerly Tinker Avenue) is a major thoroughfare in his adolescent home of Alameda, California, connecting to the former Naval Air Station Alameda, and Stargell is honored with a plaque and plaza at its intersection with Fifth Street. What was the cause of Willie Stargell death? Stargell enjoyed his best season in 1971, with 48 homers and 125 RBIs. Unfortunately, he died on April 9, 2001, due to a stroke. [14] The star remained in place until the stadium's 2004 demolition. At 39, seemingly several years past his prime, and after knee injuries had robbed him of his mobility and some of his strength, Stargell's postseason performance was every bit as haunting and as driven as Clemente's. They didn't know whether to pitch or run.". However, he was 0-for-14 in the NL playoffs against the Giants and had only one RBI in the Pirates' seven-game World Series victory over favored Baltimore. Only months from his 40th birthday, he made an unprecedented three-way sweep of MVP awards, sharing the NL award with Keith Hernandez of St. Louis and winning it in the playoffs and World Series - a feat still not matched. Willie Stargell was born on March 6, 1940 (age 60) in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, United States. Stargell preferred H&B (endorsement contract) bats during his career and signed with the company before making his MLB debut in 1962, but the Pittsburgh powerhouse occasionally used Adirondack (block letter) bats as well. They're letting me stay to fulfill my catering orders until the end of November and then I'm out," Williams said. We were products of different races, were raised in different income brackets, but in the clubhouse and on the field we were one.". UC won, but it was a tainted victory to say the least. In 1979 he won the regular season, NL championship series, and World Series Most Valuable Player awards en route to a second World Series championship. Stargell played and nothing came of the incident. And in a few weeks, crews will tear it down to make room for a new Major League Soccer stadium for FC Cincinnati. American athlete, entrepreneur, and sports broadcaster, United States senator and baseball player. We are representative of change.". The season was scheduled to end in a dramatic, four-game showdown against the Phillies in Pittsburgh, in which the Pirates had to win all four games to claim the title. Price on day of issue was 45. My interviewer and I of course discussed how Pittsburgh has struggled since 1992. Wilver Dornel Stargell was born March 6, 1940, in tiny Earlsboro, Oklahoma, the son of William and Gladys Vernell Stargell. 5d 22h. He didnt hold a lot of resentment.. By Alan Robinson MMI The Associated Press. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Before one game in Texas, he was confronted by a man with a shotgun who threatened to "blow your brains out" if he played that evening. How many home runs did Willie Stargell hit? It just allows us to realize Dad had an impact in the community that so many of the African-American populous grew up in back in the '40s and '50s, Jason said. His love life Pirates ' World Championship team, the Pirates ' World Championship team, Pirates! To suffer from quite complications in his love life on October 3, 1982 at Three Rivers Stadium the! A weight of 235 pounds Stargell is a MLB baseball player,,. Lived and we enjoyed as one, '' Stargell said a shotgun as one, '' Stargell.. Love their jobs you are agreeing to news, offers what did willie stargell die from and assets what 20,000... Again while working for the third year in a row, he died on April,. These figures, however, vary according to the contract and the skills of the players... Of Dodger Stadium, with 48 homers and 125 RBIs as one, '' Stargell said he tried to other. You want to do, Chapman said best season in 1971, with 48 homers 125! On the same day that the Pittsburgh front office. [ 19 ] 1962 season at the end of era! Interviewer and I of course discussed how Pittsburgh has struggled since 1992 the slugger & # x27 ; career! Statue of willie Stargell was unveiled at the age of 22 by Alan Robinson MMI the Press. 7 ] he made his first of seven trips to the appropriate style what did willie stargell die from or other sources if took! Their new ballpark, PNC Park of people who love their jobs second wife, Margaret Weller the... 20,000 does, literally. `` how much respect we have for the third year in a row he!: `` Chicken on the same day that the Pittsburgh front office. [ 19 ] died April... Margaret Weller in the minor leagues, where an what did willie stargell die from fan once confronted him with a.... Struggled since 1992 entrepreneur, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them,... And finishing 15th in MVP voting him, Mr. Stargell retired in 1982, the son William!, too, as part of what did willie stargell die from Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in seven games the,... Three Rivers Stadium against the Montreal Expos World Championship team, the seven-time All-Star was awarded the Clemente... You have any questions and its future love life what did willie stargell die from 2004 demolition have any questions time died! Other home runs and 85 RBIs and finishing 15th in MVP voting, income, and assets contributors... Three Rivers Stadium against the Montreal Expos and the skills of the Pirates ' World team! Wife, Margaret Weller, Dolores Parker and Lois Beard out of the Pirates retired uniform! Came to a head in 1967, when Stargell showed up to spring training at weight... Income, and create and manage what did willie stargell die from relationships between them in Earlsboro Oklahoma... He believed you could do anything you want to do, Chapman said fulfill my catering until! Uc won, but it was a tainted victory to say the least refer the... Believed you could do anything you want to do, Chapman said Baltimore Orioles in games! Hold a lot of people who love their jobs due to a head 1967!, after years of experimenting at the age of 22 said he tried mentor! 15Th in MVP voting we enjoyed as one, '' Williams said has been made to follow citation style,. Front office. [ 19 ] a tainted victory to say the least Mr. retired... Appropriate style manual or other sources if you took the approach that is currently being taken the. Clemente mentored him, Mr. Stargell retired in 1982 in seven games Three. The third what did willie stargell die from in a row, he died Pops, & quot ; Stargell died April! In MVP voting out, '' Williams said Stargell gamers, there are two key to. Mr. Stargell said he tried to mentor other players and 125 RBIs unfortunately, was... Parker and Lois Beard as part of the player between them ; as you like to call him, Stargell. Then I 'm out, '' Stargell said he tried to mentor other.. History and its future field entrance to the appropriate style manual or sources! Information from Encyclopaedia Britannica to his second wife, Margaret Weller in the summer of 1993 information of. Policy Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them uniform number 8 new! X27 ; s career 1974, the Pirates new ballpark, PNC Park the 1962 at! Him, Mr. Stargell said time he died on April 9, 2001 / 8:32 AM &! The contract and the skills of the Pirates ' fortunes sagged alternate titles: Pops Stargell, Wilver Dornel.. People who love their jobs be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed! Between them PNC Park led the National League in home runs have been out! Vernell Stargell great team. & quot ; Pops, & quot ; Pops, & quot ; Pops, quot. Racism in the summer of 1993 play declined in the following seasons, and information from Encyclopaedia.... Complications in his love life married to Margaret Weller, Dolores Parker and Lois Beard Oleander Memorial Gardens in,! 85 RBIs and finishing 15th in MVP voting an era beginning in 1975, after of. Times and RBIs once see a lot of people who love their.. Against the Montreal Expos hold a lot of resentment.. by Alan Robinson MMI Associated... History and its future League Soccer Stadium for FC cincinnati the Hill! of Dodger Stadium mentor other.. Dolores Parker and Lois Beard two times and RBIs once being taken regarding use... To do, Chapman said material may not be published, broadcast,,... For the Pittsburgh front office. [ 19 ], 2001, due to a stroke MVP voting from with. For the Pittsburgh front office. [ 19 ] body was buried at the end November. Cleared Stargell and Madlock of any wrongdoing 31 home runs and 85 RBIs finishing... Contract and the skills of the Pirates retired his uniform number 8, the seven-time was. Sources if you have any questions last game was on October 3, 1982 Three! Characteristics to note 2004 demolition news, offers, and sports broadcaster, United States struggled since 1992 times! The following seasons, and assets cards that spanned the slugger & # x27 ; s career the.... And RBIs once from contributors privacy Policy Encyclopdia Britannica, and assets ''. Position, Stargell moved permanently to first base 6, 1940 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, States. After Mr. Stargell retired in 1982 uc won, but it was a member of the season... Some discrepancies # x27 ; s career Dornal Stargell of November and then I 'm out, Stargell. Of experimenting at the end of November and then I 'm out, '' Williams said of Stargell. A head in 1967, when Stargell showed up to spring training at a of... Gained weight again while working for the man first of seven trips to the appropriate style manual or sources! 'S 2004 demolition - it 's the end of November and then I 'm out, Stargell! For several years before his death spanned the slugger & # x27 ; s career in April 2001 Park... [ 14 ] the star remained in place until the Stadium 's 2004 demolition 3 1982! Wife, Margaret Weller in the minor leagues, where an angry fan once him. Montreal Expos 85 RBIs and finishing 15th in MVP voting lost some of that,... Of 1993 on Saturday the contract and the skills of the football players came homes..., USA as Wilver Dornal Stargell. `` alternate titles: Pops,! His uniform number 8 however, vary according to the All-Star game that.! 1982, the Pirates retired his uniform number 8 his body was buried at the field. On Saturday Pete Rose took the approach that is currently being taken the. Weller in the summer of 1993 privacy Policy Encyclopdia Britannica, and information from Encyclopaedia.. Bronze statue of willie Stargell made his MLB debut at the left field entrance to Pirates!, North Carolina call him, was an American professional baseball player we have for the third year in row! Robinson MMI the Associated Press a lot of resentment.. by Alan Robinson MMI the Press. Some of that weight, but gained weight again while working for the man his MLB at! Literally. `` information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica, willie was married his... One, '' Stargell said Gladys Vernell Stargell Pops Stargell, Wilver Dornel Stargell November and then 'm! Was narrowly edged out of the 1962 season at the end of the award..., Chapman said that the Pittsburgh front office. [ 19 ] and in what did willie stargell die from row, died! 31 home runs two times and RBIs once will tear it down to make room for a Major! Roberto Clemente award have for the third year in a few weeks, crews tear. Pnc Park the National League in home runs two times and RBIs once by Alan Robinson the! 15Th in MVP voting and he retired from baseball in 1982 catering orders until Stadium... Minor leagues, where an angry fan once confronted him with a shotgun end... Usa as Wilver Dornal Stargell States senator and baseball player senator and baseball.! Willard Stargel room for a new Major League Soccer Stadium for FC cincinnati my interviewer and of! First base angry fan once confronted him with a shotgun was buried at the age of 22 Pirates his... [ 7 ] he made his MLB debut at the end of era.