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Wednesday, April 18, 2001

By Johnna A. Pro, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

"Willie Stargell was and always will be a Bucco."
-- Steve Blass, former Pittsburgh Pirate and team announcer

In the basement of St. Mary of Mercy Church yesterday, former Pittsburgh Pirates great and team announcer Steve Blass sat alone at the end of a long table, scribbling furiously on lined paper as he tried to find the words to describe his friend, teammate and confidant Willie Stargell. In many ways, it was an easy task. In many ways, it was not.

	Margaret Weller Stargell, Willie Stargell's widow, is comforted by his cousin, Jonathan Stargell, at yesterday's service. (Lake Fong/Post-Gazette)

In the days since Stargell's death from a stroke on April 9 in North Carolina, thousands of words have been written and spoken about him as a baseball player and as a man.

Yet no words seem adequate to describe the 61-year-old Hall of Famer who led the Pirates to a World Series in 1979 and who returned recently to the team as an assistant to General Manager Cam Bonifay.

"I will always remember a 21-year-old stud," Blass said, testing out a phrase he would use later in a eulogy at a memorial service in front of nearly 1,000 people. "He ran like a deer, had a cannon for an arm and he could make the ball disappear."

Yes Wilver Dornel Stargell could do all that and more. But despite his stature as one of America's all-time greatest sports heroes, his persona was that of a humble and gentle man whose love for Pittsburgh and its fans was genuine.

Yesterday's service was a chance for people in his adopted hometown to say goodbye to the man known simply as Willie or Pops, a seven-time All Star who hit 475 homers and drove in more than 1,500 runs.

	Photo tribute Click here for a PG photo journal on the life and career of Willie Stargell

"He's truly one of the most loved sports heroes in the city's history," said Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy, who like Blass, former manager Chuck Tanner and other speakers, waited in the church basement for the service to begin. "He was such a shining personality and his personality set him apart."

McClatchy, the scion of a California newspaper publishing family, had more moxie than money when he cobbled together a team of investors that bought the Pirates on Valentine's Day, 1996.

It wasn't long, though, before the young upstart would meet the grand old man of the game and forge a friendship. McClatchy brought Stargell back into the fold and Pops, for his part, taught the new young owner the meaning of tradition.

"He was such an important part of the Pirates history and I'm very happy that he could spend the last few years of his life with his Pirates family. He taught me how important the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates is and how our past should guide our future," McClatchy said prior to the hour-long memorial service.

As McClatchy, Blass and others waited downstairs, the sanctuary of the Downtown Catholic church quickly filled as family, friends and fans gathered to "remember and celebrate his life," a description later used by Bishop Donald Wuerl of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Other clergy at the service included the Rev. Thomas Smith, pastor of Monumental Baptist Church; the Rev. James Simons of St. Michael of the Valley Episcopal Church, Ligonier; and the Rev. David Taylor of St. Charles Lwanga Church.

Mourners began to gather just after 10 a.m. and by 10:30 limousines carrying Stargell's family and buses carrying the Pittsburgh Pirates were out front.

Inside, those who knew Stargell and those who didn't packed the pews and balcony. The church holds 850 people. Many stood, unable to find seats.

On the altar, flowers were arranged in the shape of a cross. A single black and white photo of a smiling Stargell was on display.

And while his death was sad, Wuerl reminded the crowd that his passing was an opportunity to remember his life.

"The community relived the memories and highlights of a life that touched us all," Wuerl said. "He was more than an extraordinary player. He was a good person."

Al Oliver, Stargell's teammate and close friend, talked of Stargell's sense of humor and his grace both on and off the field.

"Willie Stargell was a winner in every aspect of the word," said Oliver, one of three people to provide eulogies.

Blass said that Stargell was always quick to remind the team that the best approach to any game was to listen to the umpire.

"He always said, 'all you have to do is listen to the umpire. He says, 'play ball.' "

Chuck Tanner, the longtime Pirates manager, called Stargell one of the greatest players he'd ever known.

"He had dancing feet. He had the heart of a lion. He had the arm of a cannon," said Tanner, who told story upon story of Stargell's antics and feats.

"He had fun and he was funny. He was the strongest of men, the greatest of heroes," said Tanner, who looked upward and added, "I'm hoping to manage you again some day."