We Say a Sad Good-Bye to the Great Hall-of-Famer Willie McCovey

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We Say a Sad Good-Bye to the Great Hall-of-Famer Willie McCovey

“Willie McCovey was the scariest hitter in baseball” –Bob Gibson

Those of us old enough to have seen Willie McCovey in his prime would certainly concur with Bob Gibson’s assessment. We’ll never forget him.

As a Cub fan in those days, I feared the worst whenever the Giants of McCovey, Mays, and Cepeda pulled into town. Quite often, the Cubs were no match for these great Giants teams. With his massive 6’4” 198-pound frame, the bat often looked like a mere toothpick in his hands.  As he brandished it menacingly at home plate, he would often cast fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. 

One of the most intimidating sluggers of his era, Willie played 22 seasons in the majors (1959-’80), for the Giants (1959-’73), Padres (1974-’76) Athletics (1976), and again with the Giants (1977-’80).

Over his career “Stretch” McCovey hit .270, with 521 home runs (20th all-time),1555 RBIs, 2211 hits, 1229 runs, 353 doubles, 46 triples, .374 on-base percentage, and .515 slugging average. He also hit 18 career grand slams, a National League record.

His OPS+ of 147 places him among the elite players of his era (100 being the major league average). In eight post-season games, including the 1962 World Series, Willie hit .310 with three home runs and seven RBIs.

His many career highlights include Rookie of the Year honors (1959), National League MVP (1969), three-time National League home run leader, and two-time RBI leader. His best year was 1969, when he hit .320, with 45 home runs, and 126 RBIs. A six-time All-star, McCovey hit 231 home runs in Candlestick Park, the most hit here by any player; and included a home run on September 16, 1966, described as the longest ever hit in that stadium.

What Giant fan can ever forget the dramatic end to the 1962 World Series between the Giants and the Yankees? In the bottom of the ninth of Game Seven, with two outs and the Giants trailing 1–0, Willie Mays was on second base and Matty Alou was on third base. Any base hit would likely have won the series for the Giants. Up to the plate strode Willie McCovey. He cracked a vicious line drive that seemed destined for right field. At the last second, it was snared by the Yankees’ second baseman Bobby Richardson, ending the game and the Giants’ hope for a championship. It would be Willie’s one and only World Series appearance.

In 1999, he ranked 56th on the Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Willie’s #44 has been retired by the Giants. He was named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986 in his first year of eligibility.

The inlet of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field fence of AT&T Park has been renamed McCovey Cove in his honor. A statue of McCovey was erected across McCovey Cove from the park, and the land on which it stands named McCovey Point.

Gary Livacari 

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from Willie McCovey Wikipedia page; statistics from Baseball Reference

Check out my two books, both now available on Amazon in e-book and paperback:  “Paul Pryor in His Own Words: The Life and TImes of a 20-Year Major League Umpire”and “Memorable World Series Moments.” All profits go to the Illinois Veterans Foundation