San Francisco Giants Legend Willie McCovey Passes Away

A legendary member of the San Francisco Giants family passed away on Wednesday. Former first baseman and outfielder Willie McCovey, famously nicknamed “Stretch”, died at the age of 80 years old.

According to a press release, McCovey passed peacefully Wednesday afternoon after a “battle with ongoing health issues”. From San Francisco Giants President and CEO Larry Baer:

"San Francisco and the entire baseball community lost a true gentleman and legend, and our collective hearts are broken. Willie was a beloved figure throughout his playing days and in retirement. He will be deeply missed by the many people he touched."

During his illustrious 22-year major league career that spanned four decades, McCovey hit .270/.374/.515 with 521 home runs. 19 of those seasons were spent with the Giants in San Francisco, including his first 15 years. After a three-year stint split between the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, he returned to the Giants, where he finished his career with four more seasons.

McCovey won the National League Rookie of the Year in 1959, and then the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1969. Six times he was an All-Star, all with the Giants, and he earned Most Valuable Player votes 10 times. He became the 12th member of the 500-home run club on June 30th, 1978, when he took Atlanta Braves’ left-hander Jamie Easterly out of the park at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. He is one of four players in major league history to homer in four different decades (1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s).

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McCovey played his final season in 1980, taking the field as a player for the last time on July 6th. Later that season, the Giants retired McCovey’s number 44, making him the sixth Giant to have his number retired. Also that year, the first Willie Mac Award was given to Jack Clark. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986, his first year of eligibility.

Stretch is undoubtedly one of the best in Giants’ franchise history. Since the team moved to San Francisco, no Giant has played more games than McCovey’s 2,256 and none have driven in more runs than McCovey’s 1,368. He also ranks second in San Francisco era franchise history with 1,974 hits (behind Willie Mays), 469 home runs, and 1,168 walks (behind Barry Bonds in both categories).

Even with his failing health, McCovey was still a constant presence at AT&T Park in his final years. He was there every year to present the Willie Mac Award near the end of the season, and was at the park on August 11th when the Giants retired Barry Bonds’ number.

McCovey’s legacy will always live on, through the eponymous Willie Mac Award and McCovey Cove, as well as a statue of him that stands in China Basin Park. He will be deeply missed.