1999 Nike 1979 Throwback Batting Practice Replica
#8 Willie Stargell
Manufacturer: Nike
Size: XL
Purchased From: Hometowne Sports
Lettered by: Manufacturer
The Story: I could fill this page on memories I have of Willie Stargell. From the time I saw him hit a home run at Three Rivers Stadium in my first game there, he was the guy I wanted to be as a ball player. I became a first baseman. I was already left-handed, but I wanted to hit the long balls. I'd replicate Big Willie's swing while out in the backyard and on the youth league fields. I missed him when he retired and I cried when I saw what poor health he was in at the closing of Three Rivers Stadium. As I've grown up, I've used his demeanor and some of his famous quotes as reference points in my coaching endeavors. And I look at the autographed pictures and the Stargell Star from 1980 that hang on my office wall every day. No athlete has influenced my life nearly as much as Willie Stargell.
Naturally, having a Pops jersey was a bucket list item for me. Good luck finding anything close to an of-the-era jersey, and everyone seems to have the throwback game jerseys. I came across this one at my local shopping mall and figured it'd be about as close as I could come to getting a gold Willie jersey, and the old school Pirates logo on the chest sealed the deal for me. This certainly isn't an investment for monetary value - very few of my jerseys are - but the sentimental value of this one is off the charts.
Size: XL
Purchased From: Hometowne Sports
Lettered by: Manufacturer
The Story: I could fill this page on memories I have of Willie Stargell. From the time I saw him hit a home run at Three Rivers Stadium in my first game there, he was the guy I wanted to be as a ball player. I became a first baseman. I was already left-handed, but I wanted to hit the long balls. I'd replicate Big Willie's swing while out in the backyard and on the youth league fields. I missed him when he retired and I cried when I saw what poor health he was in at the closing of Three Rivers Stadium. As I've grown up, I've used his demeanor and some of his famous quotes as reference points in my coaching endeavors. And I look at the autographed pictures and the Stargell Star from 1980 that hang on my office wall every day. No athlete has influenced my life nearly as much as Willie Stargell.
Naturally, having a Pops jersey was a bucket list item for me. Good luck finding anything close to an of-the-era jersey, and everyone seems to have the throwback game jerseys. I came across this one at my local shopping mall and figured it'd be about as close as I could come to getting a gold Willie jersey, and the old school Pirates logo on the chest sealed the deal for me. This certainly isn't an investment for monetary value - very few of my jerseys are - but the sentimental value of this one is off the charts.