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.