Berra Says Stargell and Madlock Provided Him With Amphetamines

Willie Stargell, the long-time leader of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and batting champion Bill Madlock dispensed amphetamines when they were with the club in the early 1980s, New York Yankee infielder Dale Berra testified Tuesday at a federal drug trial in Pittsburgh.

“Did you ever use uppers or speed?” Berra was asked during cross-examination in the trial of Philadelphia caterer Curtis Strong, who is charged with selling drugs to ballplayers.

“Yes,” said Berra, son of former Yankee Yogi Berra.

“Where, when?”

“I used some in Portland (when he played for a Pirates farm team) and some in Pittsburgh.”

He was asked where he got them in Pittsburgh.

“From Bill Madlock.”

Did Berra get them from anyone else?

“I got them from Willie Stargell.”

Stargell, who was one of baseball’s home run stars, is now a coach with the Pirates. Madlock, a four-time National League batting champion, is now with the Dodgers.

Stargell said at Three Rivers Stadium that he was “surprised” by Berra’s accusation. “It’s not true. That’s about all I can say about it,” he said.

Madlock, in Atlanta for the Dodgers’ series with the Braves, said Tuesday that he had never furnished amphetamines for Berra.