Picture a six-foot-three slugger warming up in the on-deck circle by swinging a literal steel-headed sledgehammer, pure psychological warfare aimed at the pitcher. That was Wilver Dornell Stargell, known as Willie and later affectionately dubbed Pops, who spent all 21 of his seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and hit the most home runs of any player in the 1970s.

His journey went from outcast minor leaguer to the ultimate patriarch of a championship team. Facing brutal housing segregation in the minor leagues, he was once accosted at gunpoint in Plainview, Texas, and threatened with death if he played, but was kept in the game by encouraging letters from scout Bob Zook. He transformed those survival instincts into stadium-clearing power and quiet, unifying leadership.

• Gripped only the knob of the bat with his bottom hand for maximum leverage and explosive power
• Cleared the roof at Forbes Field seven times and hit a 507-foot home run out of Dodger Stadium
• Ran a chicken on the hill promotion, giving free chicken from his restaurant whenever he homered
• Handed out embroidered Stargell Stars to reward teammates during the 1979 We Are Family championship season
• At age 39, became the only player to win the NL MVP, NLCS MVP, and World Series MVP in a single season