Illustrious
career of 21 seasons....whereas Joe Torre was baseball best hitter, Willie was probably
most feared slugger in the MLB 1971 (I’d say the AL had an off year)....That
year also starts a 3 year golden age, collecting 125 home run...but missed out
on MVP, voted 2nd, 3rd, and 2nd.... Started
out as a part timer in 1963, established himself the next seasons as a
consistent 20+ homer muscle man....Power was enhanced by the move to Three
Rivers Stadium in mid 1970, ggoing over the fence 31 times....So strong, so
explosive with the bat....some home runs were monster shots, causing opposing
teams to mark the landing area in their stadium....consistent seasons followed,
until 1979....Willie win the triple crown of MVPs; season (shared with Keith
Herandez), playoffs and World Series....best hitter in post season, but was
most likely his leadership presence that gave him the award for the season...while
the Pirates were very good in the 70’s, the 1979 was vindication since losing
Roberto Clemente...it was his swan song, with playing a half season in 1980 and
just a minority of next two seasons....HOF body of work, falling 25 home runs
short of 500....hit over 40 home runs twice, 30+ four times, and 20+ nine
times...overcame a very difficult childhood to become one of the great fatherly
figures of the game....Pops passed away at very young age of 61.
I think he passed away on the day PNC Park in Pittsburgh opened.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was date of the first official game. Thanks for writing. What a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteThat is not uncommon for people to pass away at the time of historic events related to their careers. Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4, 1826. One of the Steelers of the 1970's died within days of a big celebration at the final game at Three Rivers in 2000.
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