Here's your unfortunate story of the day.
Willie Stargell's family -- specifically his first wife Dolores, son Willie Jr., and daughter Kelli -- are upset about a forthcoming auction organized by his second wife Margaret that will include some of Stargell's most prized possessions, including his World Series and Hall of Fame induction rings and his 1979 NL MVP Award.
Jill Beckman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had more details:
While Ms. Weller-Stargell will be the beneficiary of the auctions, a portion of the proceeds will be donated. Some will go to the Willie Stargell Foundation, which helps people suffering from kidney disease, as well as the Pirates Charities and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, according to a statement from Ms. Weller-Stargell. Some proceeds also will benefit the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C., home of the Willie "Pops" Stargell Dialysis Unit.
Stargell's family seems dismayed in large part for two reasons: 1. not being alerted ahead of the auction being made public (thus negating any opportunity to purchase the items themselves); and 2. potentially seeing Stargell's awards and rings go into a private collection, where his fans cannot access them.
A letter from Stargell's family was shared on Facebook about the situation, which begins:
As Willie Stargell's children, we were completely blindsided to learn of the upcoming May 24th auction of some of our Dad's most endeared treasures – rings, trophies and plaques. These are items that celebrated and honored his major league career as well as represented moments we all shared with him.
It is true, we learned of this via social media, and you can only imagine our dismay and despair. We are his grown children and were not honored, forewarned or offered the right of first refusal to make a fair offer on Dad's belongings.
