Willie McCovey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willie McCovey |
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McCovey in 1961
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: January 10, 1938 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
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| Died: October 31, 2018 (aged 80) Stanford, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 30, 1959, for the San Francisco Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 6, 1980, for the San Francisco Giants | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .270 | ||
| Hits | 2,211 | ||
| Home runs | 521 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,555 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 1986 | ||
| Vote | 81.4% (first ballot) | ||
Willie Lee McCovey (January 10, 1938 – October 31, 2018) was an American professional baseball player. He was known by his nicknames "Stretch", "Mac", and "Willie Mac". Willie played as a first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1959 to 1980. He spent most of his career, 19 seasons, with the San Francisco Giants. He also played for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics.
Willie McCovey was a powerful left-handed hitter. When he retired in 1980, he was one of the top home run hitters in baseball history. He was a six-time All-Star and won the MVP award in 1969. He was also the Rookie of the Year in 1959. In 1986, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his very first try.
McCovey was famous for hitting hard line drives. Pitchers like Bob Gibson called him "the scariest hitter in baseball." He hit 521 home runs in his career. A large number of these, 231, were hit at Candlestick Park, the Giants' home stadium.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Growing Up in Alabama
Willie McCovey was born in Mobile, Alabama, on January 10, 1938. He was the seventh of ten children. His father, Frank McCovey, worked for the railroad. Willie started working part-time at age 12. He left high school early to work full-time.
Starting Professional Baseball
Even though one scout passed on him, Willie was invited to a tryout camp. This camp was for the New York Giants in Melbourne, Florida. A Giants scout named Alex Pompez invited him.
In 1955, McCovey began his professional baseball journey. He joined the Sandersville Giants in Georgia. He signed a contract for $175 a month and received a $500 bonus. At 17 years old, he was 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 165 pounds. He quickly showed his talent, hitting for a .305 average with 19 home runs.
Before reaching the Major Leagues, McCovey played for other teams. He played for a Giants' farm team in Dallas, Texas. He also played for the Pacific Coast League Phoenix Giants.
Major League Career Highlights
Joining the San Francisco Giants (1959–1973)
Willie McCovey made his MLB debut on July 30, 1959. He had an amazing first game, getting four hits against Hall-of-Famer Robin Roberts. He hit two singles and two triples. He found major league pitchers easier to hit than minor league ones. In just 52 games, he had a .354 batting average and 13 home runs. He was named the National League's (NL) Rookie of the Year.
The 1960 season was a bit tough for McCovey. He struggled at times and was even sent back to the minor leagues. Fans in San Francisco sometimes booed him. He played 101 games but still hit 13 home runs, the same as the year before. His batting average was .238.
In 1961, new manager Alvin Dark made McCovey the main first baseman. He moved Orlando Cepeda, another great player, to right field. Dark also made Willie Mays McCovey's roommate.
In 1962, McCovey moved to the outfield. He played only 91 games because he struggled against left-handed pitchers. Still, he hit 20 home runs. He helped the Giants reach the 1962 World Series against the New York Yankees. This was his only World Series appearance. In Game 7, with the Giants needing a hit to win, McCovey hit a hard line drive. But the Yankees' second baseman Bobby Richardson caught it, ending the game and the series.
This moment became famous, even appearing in the Peanuts comic strip. Charlie Brown often wondered why McCovey's ball couldn't have been "just three feet higher."
McCovey was a key player for the Giants for many years. He often batted alongside Willie Mays. His best year was 1969, when he hit 45 home runs and had 126 RBI. He batted .320 and won the National League MVP award. He was also named the MVP of the 1969 All-Star Game.
In the early days of Candlestick Park, fans would often move to the open area behind right field. They hoped to catch one of McCovey's powerful home runs.
Playing for Other Teams (1974–1976)
In 1973, McCovey was traded to the San Diego Padres. He played 128 games in 1974, hitting 22 home runs. In 1975, he hit 23 home runs in 122 games. In 1976, he struggled and was later traded to the Oakland Athletics. He played only eleven games for them.
Returning to San Francisco (1977–1980)
McCovey returned to the Giants in 1977. At age 39, he hit 28 home runs and had 86 RBIs. He was named the Comeback Player of the Year.
On June 27, 1977, he made history. He became the first player to hit two home runs in one inning twice in his career. One of these was a grand slam.
On June 30, 1978, McCovey hit his 500th home run. Two years later, on May 3, 1980, he hit his 521st and final home run. This made him one of only a few players to hit home runs in four different decades.
In his 22-year career, McCovey batted .270. He had 521 home runs, 1,555 RBIs, and 2,211 hits. He also hit 18 grand slam home runs, which was a National League record.
Life After Baseball
Advisor and Restaurant Owner
After retiring from playing, McCovey worked as a senior advisor for the Giants for 18 years. He would visit the team during spring training and the season, offering advice.
In 2003, McCovey opened a baseball-themed restaurant called McCovey's Restaurant. It closed in 2015.
Willie McCovey's Legacy
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| McCovey's number 44 was retired by the San Francisco Giants in 1980. |
Willie McCovey was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. He was one of the few players to be elected in his first year of eligibility.
Many people remember McCovey for his powerful hitting. Pitcher Jim Bouton described his batting practice as incredibly strong. Manager Sparky Anderson often chose to intentionally walk McCovey rather than let him hit. In 1969, McCovey was intentionally walked 45 times, a record at the time.
In 1999, Sporting News ranked McCovey as one of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players. The Giants also created the Willie Mac Award in 1980. This award honors a Giants player who shows great spirit and leadership.
The area of San Francisco Bay next to the Giants' ballpark, Oracle Park, is now called McCovey Cove in his honor. A statue of McCovey stands across the cove from the park. On September 21, 1980, the Giants retired his uniform number 44. He wore this number to honor Hank Aaron, who was also from Mobile, Alabama.
In 2009, McCovey was inducted into the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame. A baseball field at Woodside Elementary School in Woodside, California, was also named after him in 2013.
Personal Life and Later Years
Willie McCovey had a daughter from his first marriage. In 2018, he married his longtime girlfriend, Estela Bejar. He was known for having a quiet personality.
In his later years, McCovey faced several health challenges. He had knee surgeries that led to him using a wheelchair. He also dealt with infections and other health issues.
Willie McCovey passed away on October 31, 2018, at the age of 80. He had been battling ongoing health problems. A public memorial service was held for him at Oracle Park on November 8, 2018.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball home run records
- 500 home run club
- Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players who played in four decades
