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Most avid baseball fans know Willie Stargell was, by far, one of the best to ever play in the major leagues. The former Pittsburgh Pirate was notorious for hitting balls out of the ballpark.

Over his 21 year career with the Pirates, "Pops," as he was affectionately called, batted .282, with 2,232 hits, 423 doubles, 475 home runs and 1540 runs batted in, helping his team capture six National League East division titles, two National League pennants, and two World Series Championship titles in 1971 and 1979.

Again, those who know baseball, know Hall of Fame member Willie Stargell was one of the best.

What many people don’t know is that for the last five years of Willie Stargell’s life, he battled kidney disease on a daily basis. At least three times a week he underwent dialysis treatment. Kidney disease eventually defeated the once robust athlete but it was not without a courageous effort on Stargell’s part to live life to the fullest despite the inevitable. Stargell passed away April 9, 2001.

A year after his death, his wife Margaret decided to start a golf tournament in memory of her late husband. "It really was a decision made by our family and Willie’s closest friends. We wanted to do something to continue his legacy, while also giving others an opportunity to live quality lives with the disease that unfortunately claimed his. Everyone knew Willie for baseball, not everyone knew of the gentle soul who went out of his way, in a quiet anonymous way, to be kind to another human being. He would be pleased to know others may live through his name."

Next week, many of Stargell’s former teammates will come to Wilmington to do what "Pops," their team captain, would have instructed them to do: have fun.

For many, it won’t be there first time here. They’re coming back for the 5th annual Willie Stargell Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Country Club of Landfall. The tournament raises money for local people dealing with kidney disease. The four day event also helps fund educational efforts to help better equip those who treat kidney disease.

Over 40 celebrities will attend. Most are former major league baseball players like Hall of Fame members Joe Morgan and Eddie Murray along with former Oakland A’s pitcher Dave Stewart. Wilmington native, Trot Nixon of the Cleveland Indians has attended every tournament and is on tap to attend this year. And this year, the celebrity list has expanded to include some faces from the NFL and NBA such as former Pittsburgh Steeler Louis Lipps and former New York Knicks Gus Williams.

The Willie Stargell Celebrity Golf Tournament is now one of the largest fundraisers in Southeastern North Carolina. Since its inception, the tournament has raised close to a million dollars. The first year the monies raised went to the American Kidney Fund. The second year the National Kidney Foundation was the beneficiary. Stargell’s widow, Margaret then decided some of the monies should remain here at home since the tournament is largely sponsored by local companies and individuals. The dialysis center at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, which now bears Willie Stargell’s name, received funding from the annual golf tournament. Jack Barto, president and CEO at New Hanover says the dialysis patients at the hospital now feel a special connection to Willie. "Clearly we are honored that the tournament has chosen our dialysis center to be one of its recipients and our patients continue to get great care. And we have Willie to thank."

During his days in that same dialysis center, Stargell was known for greeting other patients with a smile, many times offering them hope in the face of despair. Stargell’s widow, Margaret says that’s really the purpose behind this golf tournament." I, like many others, often marveled at how well Willie accepted going to dialysis three times a week for several hours each time. This was a person whose life until then had been filled with all of the joys life can offer. I am sure it was difficult for him emotionally, but he did so with great courage and determination. He would want us to find ways to help others get through the heartache of knowing you have to go on dialysis. This will come through further research and better knowledge about working with renal disease."

The 5th annual Willie Stargell Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Country Club of Landfall takes place November 9-12. Events include a celebrity reception, an autograph session, an auction dinner and golf on Monday. For more information on the tournament or how to get involved, go to www.williestargellfoundation.org or call 350-1211.