Advertisement

Willie Stargell's kids 'blindsided by' late Hall of Famer's memorabilia auction

Willie Stargell's kids 'blindsided by' late Hall of Famer's memorabilia auction

So much for "we are family."

Hall of Famer Willie Stargell's children and ex-wife are unhappy and hurt that the late Pirates icon's widow is auctioning off memorabilia from his career.

In a letter posted on Facebook, Stargell's children and grandchildren say they were "completely blindsided" by the auction, adding: "Pops loved his fans. He would want his most treasured items on display for all to see."



The auction's almost two dozen items — which went up for bid this week and include his 1979 World Series ring and his NL MVP trophy — were selected by his second wife, Margaret Weller-Stargell.

Weller-Stargell defended the auction in a statement released after the Facebook post:


MORE:
Willie Stargell 1979 Pirates memorabilia to be auctioned off

"Willie made the decision years before his death that he wanted these items left to me because I know that he trusted me to do what was in the best interests of both a game that he loved, the Pirates organization and its fans that he honored and respected," she said in the statement, via The Associated Press.

Stargell, a beloved figure in Pittsburgh who became known as “Pops” late in his career, died April 9, 2001, at age 61 following a stroke.