The baseball world suffered a major loss, as San Francisco Giants legend Willie McCovey passed away on Wednesday. He was 80 years old.
Despite his retirement after the 1980 season, Willie McCovey was still a presence for San Francisco Giants fans. One of the greatest players in franchise history, he was honored with the naming of McCovey’s Cove, the body of water beyond the right field wall in AT&T Park. His name was also used for the Willie Mac award, given to the Giants most inspirational player.
During the past few years, McCovey had been battling health issues. Those medical problems became too much for the Hall of Famer, as he passed away on Wednesday at 80 years old.
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. #Forever44 | #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/ooOYg4ESol
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) October 31, 2018
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
During his career, McCovey was a feared power hitter, a player so terrifying in the batter’s box, that even the seemingly fearless Don Drysdale was loathe to pitch against him. That reluctance was understandable, as McCovey had a truly great career. He was a six time All Star, the 1958 Rookie of the Year, and the 1969 NL MVP.
Over 22 seasons, 19 of which were spent with the Giants, McCovey was one of the great power hitters in the game. He ended his illustrious career with a .270/.374/.515 batting line; his 521 homers the NL record until broken by another member of the Giants, Barry Bonds. His 18 grand slams were second all time, trailing only the legendary Lou Gehrig.
His time after baseball was not always pristine. McCovey was convicted of tax evasion in 1995, sentenced to a fine and probation. That sentence was removed in January 2017, when he received a full presidential pardon from former president Barack Obama.
Our condolences go out to Willie McCovey’s family and the San Francisco Giants.