Legend of the San Francisco Giants The Death of Willie McCovey
On Wednesday, the San Francisco Giants declared the passing of Hall of Fame slugger Willie McCovey.
The team issued the following statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie McCovey passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 80 after losing his battle with ongoing health issues.”
McCovey, nicknamed “Stretch” because of his long arms and 6-foot-4 stature, spent 19 seasons as a feared power hitter for the Giants and rose to become one of the team’s most beloved players. He continued in his role as senior consultant to the Giants, where he had spent the previous eighteen years.
“He gave his heart and soul to the Giants for more than six decades,” said CEO and president of the organization Larry Baer. “As one of the greatest players of all time, as a quiet leader in the clubhouse, as a mentor to the Giants who followed in his footsteps, as an inspiration to our Junior Giants, and as a fan cheering on the team from his booth.”
The native of Mobile, Alabama, retired in 1980 and was honored with a 1986 induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He had a.270 average and 521 home runs at the end of his career. During his major league career, he was awarded six times as an All-Star, won Rookie of the Year, was named MVP of the league, and led the league in home runs for several seasons.
Since 2000, the players themselves have chosen the winner of the highly sought Willie Mac Award for most inspirational player, which goes to a Giants player each year.
Local sports writers successfully lobbied to rename the inlet at China Basin beyond right field as McCovey Cove after the Giants moved from Candlestick Park to Pacific Bell Park, now known as AT&T Park. They noted that the slugger would have hit several balls into the water if he had played there.
At a location known as McCovey Point, a statue dedicated to McCovey was placed with a view of the cove.
“Willie McCovey brought joy to so many San Franciscans through his years on the field and dedication to our city,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed in a statement. In addition to being the classic San Francisco Giant, he was one of the all-time greats in baseball.”
Breed announced that in honor of McCovey, City Hall will be illuminated in orange.
Even up until the last game of the previous season, McCovey had been to games at AT&T Park.
The fact that left-handed hitter McCovey was never able to win a World Series after coming so close still hurts, even after more than forty years had passed. He grounded out to finish the 1962 World Series between the Giants and Yankees.
Despite being unable to rely on his once-dependable legs, McCovey had been using a wheelchair to move around in recent years, but he was still frequently spotted in his private suite at the ballpark.
Willie Brown, a former mayor of San Francisco, was interviewed by KPIX 5 on Wednesday night and shared his memories of McCovey. You may see the video interview below:
“He will be sorely missed at every moment,” McCovey’s wife Estella stated. “He was my spouse and closest friend. Life won’t be the same without him in it.”
McCovey was the father of three grandchildren, Raven, Philip, and Marissa, as well as a daughter, Allison. In addition, McCovey’s brother Cleon and sister Frances survive him.
A public memorial service honoring McCovey’s life will take place later, according to the Giants.
