Willie McCovey

[Broad Street]

RIP. The Giants legend has passed at age 80. It's a sad day for baseball.

[WeatherWonk]

One of three "hated" Willies, if you grew up a Dodger fan in the 60s. The others were Mays and Stargell, whom Vinny always seemed to call Wilver. 

What a "Stretch" he had at first base................also is well-known for one of the most famous outs to end a World Series.

[fan_since79]

In his major league debut as a 21-yr old in 1959 he went 4-4 with two triples and 2 RBI against future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts of the Phillies.

In 22 seasons with the Giants, his OPS was exactly .900.

Willie Mays would sometimes not stretch a single into a double so McCovey wouldn't be walked intentionally and the bat taken out of his hands.

 

Edited November 1, 2018 by fan_since79

[Fish Oil]

Sad news. McCovey was truly one of the greats.

[gotbeer]

 

RIP.

[T.G.]

Some of my earliest baseball memories involve McCovey's imposing batting stance and the absolute bombs he would hit. He put fear into anyone playing first base because he could really put a charge in a struck ball. 

[arch stanton]

When you look at his '69 season it reminds you of what Trout deals with now. A weak lineup that resulted in 121 walks to just 66 Ks where he made anybody who chose to pitch to him pay but 45 intentional walks

 

RIP

[eligrba4ever]

Rest in peace, Willie McCovey. My three favorite non-Angels of his era were McCovey, Mays and Marichal.

McCovey was the bane of Don Drysdale. The Herald Examiner cartoonist Karl Hubenthal once drew a statistical display of McCovey with a huge bat approaching the plate to face Drysdale. The caption said: "Tall Will strode forth to face The Drysdale." The numbers showed Willie nearly had ownership rights over the Dodgers' co-ace.
 

 

[ten ocho recon scout]

Well before my time, but one of my favorite old timers. Very underrated, in terms that his name isnt really ever mentioned today.

[Angelsjunky]

He played in the 50s and 80s. Crazy. I'm guessing he's the only major leaguer to span those four decades.

 

[arch stanton]

Just now, Angelsjunky said:

He played in the 50s and 80s. Crazy. I'm guessing he's the only major leaguer to span those four decades.

 

Tim McCarver played 8 games in '59 and 6 games in '80 so technically he did it too

[Blarg]

3 hours ago, eligrba4ever said:

Rest in peace, Willie McCovey. My three favorite non-Angels of his era were McCovey, Mays and Marichal.

McCovey was the bane of Don Drysdale. The Herald Examiner cartoonist Karl Hubenthal once drew a statistical display of McCovey with a huge bat approaching the plate to face Drysdale. The caption said: "Tall Will strode forth to face The Drysdale." The numbers showed Willie nearly had ownership rights over the Dodgers' co-ace.
 

 

McCovey vs Drysdale .336/.437/.680/1.117 yeah, he owned him.

 

McCovey to age 27  .272/.362/.526/.889 OPS+ 145

Trout to age 27  .307/.416/.573/.990 OPS+ 175

McCovey was great but Mike Trout is so much better. 

[Redondo]

RIP Willie

[eligrba]

RIP Willie Mac

[mtangelsfan]

Sad news, simply a great player.  RIP

[Dick Enberg]

8 hours ago, True Grich said:

Some of my earliest baseball memories involve McCovey's imposing batting stance and the absolute bombs he would hit. He put fear into anyone playing first base because he could really put a charge in a struck ball. 

growing up and playing pick up games at the local school, we all wanted to bat like Willie or Yaz. Monster lefty type swings! those were the days!

RIP Mr. McCovey!

[WeatherWonk]

I'll never forget that strange little hitch he had in his practice swings, while in the batter's box. 

[T.G.]

12 career homeruns against Drysdale.  7 homers against Gibson.  He hammered some of the best.

Such an imposing figure at the plate.

[Angel Oracle]

What he did at age 21 in 1959, winning NL ROTY despite playing MLB ball for just the last 2+ months of the season, was crazy.  

R.I.P. Willie.

[fan_since79]

Pitcher Roger Craig, who would manage the Giants for seven-plus seasons (1985-92), recalled a time his manager with the Mets, Casey Stengel, went to the mound with McCovey at the plate.

“Where do you want to pitch him?” Stengel asked Craig. “Upper deck or lower deck?”

https://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/Willie-McCovey-Giants-legend-dead-at-80-13352886.php

[Angelsjunky]

The old dudes are coming out of the woodwork to honor McCovey.

[T.G.]

16 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

The old dudes are coming out of the woodwork to honor McCovey.

[Angelsjunky]

I was wrong about McCovey being the only guy to play in the 50s and 80s - there are actually a bunch. Here is a link to four-decade players:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Four-Decade_Players

Only 32 in baseball history, most recently Moyer, Griffey, and Vizquel, all of whom played in the 80s and 2010s.

[fan_since79]

[T.G.]

6 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

I was wrong about McCovey being the only guy to play in the 50s and 80s - there are actually a bunch. Here is a link to four-decade players:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Four-Decade_Players

Only 32 in baseball history, most recently Moyer, Griffey, and Vizquel, all of whom played in the 80s and 2010s.

You left out Albert who's been playing since the 40's.