Six-time All-Star hit over 500 home runs. via @legacyobitsSan Francisco
Giants legend Willie McCovey cracked more than 500 home runs in his Hall of Fame career. McCovey was a Giant for 19 of his 22 seasons in the league and was one of the most beloved players in San Francisco. He died at the age of 80. For full obituary and coverage from Legacy.com.
Career Accomplishments:
First ballot Hall of Famer (1986)
National League Most Valuable Player (1969)
National League Rookie of the Year (1959)
Three-time Home Run Leader (1963, 1968, 1969)
Six-time All-Star (1963, 1966, 1968–1971)
Notable quote: McCovey never won a World Series. His line drive was caught by New York Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson for the final out in Game 7 of the only World Series he played in. In a 2017 interview with the Wall Street Journal he was asked how he’d like to be remembered.
“I’d like to be remembered as the guy who hit the ball over Bobby Richardson’s head in the seventh game,” he responded.
What people said about him: “You knew right away he wasn’t an ordinary ballplayer. He was so strong, and he had the gift of knowing the strike zone. There’s no telling how many home runs he would have hit if those knees weren’t bothering him all the time and if he played in a park other than Candlestick.” —Hank Aaron, legendary home run hitter
“He used to scare me the most when I was playing first base. I was just praying he wouldn’t hit one down the line. He was one of the most awesome players I’ve ever seen.” —Hall of Famer Joe Torre
Source: Willie McCovey (1938 – 2018), Hall of Fame San Francisco Giants Slugger | Legacy.com
