Willie Stargell "8 on 8" campaign

The Postal Service and the Pittsburgh Pirates have designated August 8, to kickoff the "8 on 8" campaign that encourages fans to mail eight letters to their friends and family using the new Willie Stargell stamp according to a a U.S. Postal Service press release.

While the Pirates retired his number 8 jersey in 1982, the late Hall of Famer whose 21-year-career with the Pirates included being named MVP of the 1979 World Series, continues with the issuance of a forever stamp last month. Also honored were Ted Williams, Larry Doby, and  Joe DiMaggio.

Stargell's wife Margaret Stargell is quoted in the release as saying, "Willie would be so humbled by this timeless recognition. Both he and my father Fritz Weller, who was a letter carrier for the Postal Service, would be thrilled to know that people will reach out to their family and friends with a letter of love in his honor on 8/8."

The press release points our that although Stargell was not involved in selecting number 8 for his jersey, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on 8/8/88, and his car's license plates read "HOF. 8.8.88."

To read the entire release, click here.