By Mike Persak
July 3, 2019
(AP)
Two years ago, a former Pirates first baseman approached Josh Bell with an opportunity.
Kevin Young, who played 11 of his 12 MLB seasons in Pittsburgh, had participated in the Willie Stargell Celebrity Golf Tournament in Wilmington, N.C., for a few years running, and he wanted to invite Bell to the next one.
It was for a good cause — the proceeds went to the Willie Stargell Foundation, which helps ease the financial burden on those fighting kidney disease — and had a guest list that included retired athletes, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle and several other faces from the team’s front office. Bell was in.
“It was like, ‘Hey … unreal event. Can’t miss. I want you there,’” said Bell, who is playing his third full season at first base in Pittsburgh. “And I made time for it, and he was right. Awesome family, awesome cause, really good turnout and just a lot of fun.”
On its own, the invitation extended by Young to Bell was a small gesture. But in the grand scheme, the golf tournament — and Bell’s involvement in it — means so much more to Young because of the man the tournament honors.
“What connects us all is baseball and Willie,” Young said, “and at the end of the day, first base.”
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