Wes Covington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wes Covington |
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Left fielder | |||
Born: Laurinburg, North Carolina |
March 27, 1932|||
Died: July 4, 2011 Edmonton, Alberta |
(aged 79)|||
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debut | |||
April 19, 1956, for the Milwaukee Braves | |||
Last appearance | |||
October 2, 1966, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Batting average | .279 | ||
Home runs | 131 | ||
Runs batted in | 499 | ||
Teams | |||
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Career highlights and awards | |||
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John Wesley Covington (born March 27, 1932 – died July 4, 2011), known as Wes Covington, was a talented American baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for many teams from 1956 to 1966. These teams included the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Wes was 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 205 pounds. He hit the ball with his left hand but threw with his right hand.
Wes Covington's Baseball Journey
Early Life and Starting Baseball
Wes Covington was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He went to Laurinburg High School and then graduated from Hillside High School in Durham. He was a star football player there.
Even though he was good at football, Wes didn't start playing baseball until 1950. But his skills quickly caught the eye of Dewey Griggs, a scout for the Boston Braves. Wes was offered a contract and began his professional baseball career in 1952.
Playing with Hank Aaron
In 1952, Wes joined the Class C Eau Claire Bears. There, he met his teammate Hank Aaron, who would become a baseball legend. Wes, Hank, and catcher Julie Bowers (who had played in the Negro leagues) shared a room at the local YMCA that season.
Hank Aaron and Wes became good friends during their time with the Eau Claire Bears. Hank later said that Wes and Julie Bowers were his closest friends on the team.
The 1957 World Series Win
In 1957, Wes was playing in the minor leagues again for the Wichita Braves. He wasn't happy about this, as the Milwaukee Braves had chosen another player, Bobby Thomson, for his position. Wes felt frustrated trying to understand why he was sent down.
He was finally called back up to the Milwaukee Braves after they traded Bobby Thomson to the New York Giants. Wes's return helped the Braves a lot. He played a big part in their success, helping them win the 1957 World Series.
In the second half of the 1957 season, Wes played in 96 games. He hit for a .284 batting average, hit 21 home runs, and drove in 65 runs.
Great Defense in the World Series
Wes's fielding was amazing during the 1957 World Series. He made two incredible catches in left field in Game 2 and Game 5. These catches helped the Braves win those games, especially for pitcher Lew Burdette.
Overall, Wes hit .208 in the series and stole one base.
Career Highs in 1958
The year 1958 was Wes's best season. He achieved career-high numbers, hitting .330 with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs in just 90 games.
On May 31, 1958, in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wes, Hank Aaron, and Eddie Mathews hit three home runs in a row in the first inning! The Braves won that game 8–5.
Another World Series Appearance
In 1958, the Braves went to the World Series again, playing against the New York Yankees. This time, the Braves lost the series in 7 games. Wes played in all 7 games, hitting .269 with 4 RBIs.
Dealing with Injuries
Wes started having problems with his knees in 1958. He injured his knee sliding into second base during a spring training game and couldn't play until May 2. Later, on August 20, 1959, he tore a ligament in his ankle, which made him miss the rest of that season.
In 1961, Wes came to spring training not in his best shape and held out before the season started. The Braves released him after he played only 9 games. By this time, his knee problems were getting worse, and they would affect his playing for the rest of his career.
Moving to New Teams
The Chicago White Sox signed Wes on May 10, 1961. He played 22 games for them, hitting .288 with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs. On June 10, he was traded to the Kansas City Athletics as part of a larger trade involving several players.
From 1961 to 1965, Wes found a home with the Philadelphia Phillies. He played as a part-time outfielder and a pinch-hitter. His five years with the Phillies were very successful, with numbers almost matching his time with the Braves. He hit .284, with 61 home runs and 237 RBIs for the team.
Breaking Barriers with the Phillies
The Phillies were the last team in the National League to have African-American players. In 1957, they signed their first Black player, John Kennedy, but he only played 5 games. When Wes Covington joined the Phillies, he became the first African-American player to have a major role on the team.
Career Totals
In his 11-year career, Wes Covington had a .279 batting average. He hit 131 home runs and had 499 runs batted in over 1,075 games. His best season was in 1958, where he had his highest batting average (.330), home runs (24), and RBIs (74).
After his knee injuries, some people said Wes was not a good fielder and was a slow runner. But Wes wasn't bothered by this. He once said, "They don't pay outfielders for what they do with the glove."
Wes finished his Major League career in 1966 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had started that season with the Chicago Cubs, who released him on May 11.
On May 28, 1966, he signed with the Dodgers. That year, the Dodgers went to the World Series but lost to the Baltimore Orioles. Wes appeared in his last World Series game as a pinch-hitter, striking out. After the season, the Dodgers released him.
Life After Baseball
After his baseball career, Wes Covington moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. For a while, he owned and ran a sporting goods business. Wes later developed cancer and passed away in Edmonton on July 4, 2011, at the age of 79.