He did not participate when his team played in Shreveport, Louisiana due to segregation in that city. Willie Mays and McCovey, who left Jim Crow Alabama, formed the heart of the Giants' potent lineup for more than a decade. Willie Lee McCovey was born in Mobile, Alabama, on January 10th, 1938. What he did for Estela, however, far outshines his future stats. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1959 to 1980, most notably as a member of the San Francisco Giants for whom he played for 19 seasons. [7], Despite being passed on by scout Ed Scott, who signed Hank Aaron for the Negro American League Indianapolis Clowns, McCovey was invited to a New York Giants tryout camp in Melbourne, Florida, while he was living and working in Los Angeles. 10 January 1938 in Mobile, Alabama), one of the greatest power hitters in Major League Baseball history; one of only 17 players to hit 500 home runs over the course of a career.McCovey was one of ten children of Frank McCovey and Ester Jones McCovey. More bio, uniform, draft, salary info His career numbers include 521 home runs, 1,555 RBI, .889 OPS and a 64.5 WAR. inPalo Alto,CA, Buried: Earlier this year, at AT&T Park, he married Estela Bejar. ", "Giants Hall of Famer Willie McCovey dies at 80", "Willie McCovey Senior Advisor | San Francisco Giants", "Walnut Creek: McCovey's closing downtown, possibly moving to San Francisco East Bay Times", "100 Greatest Baseball Players by The Sporting News: A Legendary List by Baseball Almanac", "Willie McCovey Stats Baseball-Reference.com", "About Us | Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame", "Baseball legend Willie McCovey dies at 80 SFBay", "almanacnews.com: "Woodside: Hall of Fame San Francisco Giant Willie McCovey dies" - Related news", "San Francisco Giants legend Willie McCovey marries longtime girlfriend at AT&T Park", "Tax Fraud: Two Baseball Legends Say It's So", "Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey pardoned by Obama", "President Obama pardons Willie McCovey for tax evasion", "Giants legend Willie McCovey at 80: 'Every day is a blessing', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willie_McCovey&oldid=1132410384, July 30,1959,for theSan Francisco Giants, July 6,1980,for theSan Francisco Giants, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 8 January 2023, at 19:19. A fearsome left-handed power hitter, at the time of his retirement in 1980, McCovey ranked second only to Babe Ruth in career home runs among left-handed batters, and seventh overall. Also, she has been far from the media. McCovey also played for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics in the latter . . Willie McCovey was initially married to Karen McCovey from 25 October 1964 to 10 October 1967. 0:44. Hall of Fame slugger McCovey dies at 80. Willie McCovey Popularity . [12][13], McCovey was not the only first baseman on the Giants. Willie McCovey Stats, Fantasy & News. Near the end of the season, the Oakland Athletics purchased his contract from the Padres. On the mend from major back surgery in . Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball. He died on October 31, 2018, at the age of 80 at Stanford University Medical Center. Historic sales data are completed sales with a buyer and a seller agreeing on a price. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/sports/baseball/19mccovey.html. [10], In his Major League debut on July 30, 1959, McCovey went four-for-four against Hall-of-Famer Robin Roberts of the Philadelphia Phillies with two singles and two triples. Mays, licks his fingers after cutting his 37th birthday cake given to him by Judge Roy Hofheinz just before the game with his Houston Astros, May 6, 1968. Later, received a pardon from President Barack Obama on January 17, 2017. [8] McCovey was 17 years old, 6'2", 165 pounds, and proceeded to hit .305 with 19 home runs, scoring 113 runs in 107 games. Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1959 season Full Name: Willie Lee McCovey Nicknames: Stretch, Mac or Big Mac. Before the 2010 season, McCovey had his umpteenth knee surgery he lost count after a dozen and his doctors told him there was no way he would be able to attend the Giants home opener at AT&T Ballpark. He was a positive fixture in the San Francisco community and we were fortunate enough to have him as a part of our organization for a brief time. Search instead in Creative? Save a want list to be notified of new . 1964 Willie McCovey Game Worn & Signed San Francisco Giants Jersey, MEARS A9.5.. Auction amount: Sold: Nov 20, 2021 . Belt is going into his ninth season as the Giants' starting first baseman. Mays has always pictured a different outcome. The prices shown are the lowest prices available for Willie McCovey the last time we updated. In the Year of the Pitcher in 1968, he put up league-leading numbers in . He was 80 . [1] In 52 major league games, he had a .354 batting average and 13 home runs. She became pregnant with her daughter Melissa by him in 1965 but granted her mother legal custody after they divorced before the child was born, according to Vanity Fair. Additionally, he had statistics of 1,229 runs scored, 2,211 hits, 353 doubles, 46 triples, and a .374 on-base percentage. : . Now, McCovey's MVP plaque is up for auction along with his 2012 and 2014 World Series rings, first baseman's mitts and many other awards, mementos and belongings more than 200 items in all . He was inducted into the . her family included a husband and lesbian partner. However, new manager Alvin Dark declared McCovey his first baseman for 1961, putting Cepeda in right field to begin the year. 1976 Topps Willie McCovey #520 - NM PSA 7. Phone: 602.496.1460 Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023. 18,659 were here. In April 1957, shortly before the first baseman's Texas League debut as a Dallas Eagle, sportswriter editor Bill Rives explained the moniker: "The . Divorce. Has one daughter Allison, and three grandchildren. McCovey died at the age of 80 at Stanford University Medical Center on October 31, 2018, after battling "ongoing health issues". Perhaps this was a result of playing in the shadow of one of the true icons of the game - Willie Mays. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 2005 Fleer National Pastime #79 Willie McCovey: $1.52: 2005 Fleer National Pastime Red Foil #79 Willie McCovey: $1.85: 2005 Fleer Showcase #117 Willie McCovey: $2.53: 2005 Leaf Century Shirts Signature #7 Willie McCovey: $21.03: 2005 Leaf Limited Legends #44 Willie McCovey: $3.27: 2005 Leaf Sportscasters 30 Beige Batting-Glove #50 Willie . Willie McCovey 1970 Topps San Francisco Giants #450 Nice Vintage Set! He batted .203 with seven home runs in 71 games. $25.99. Also know more about the early life, career, net worth, relationships, and controversies of other baseball players like Ryan Howard, Josh Reddick, Cody Decker, Anthony Rizzo, and Derek Jeter. To make room for Merryweather on the 40-man roster, right-hander Manuel Rodriguez was designated for assignment. @thinkprogress pic.twitter.com/EDPcTlEGZL, American Hero (@trueholygoat) January 27, 2017. After all, McCovey held the major league record for intentional walks until another Giant, Barry Bonds, broke it. She later wrote that Woody could be violent, Vanity Fair reported. Rookie Status: Exceeded rookie limits during 1959 season Full Name: Willie Lee McCovey Nicknames: Stretch, Mac or Big Mac. On Monday, his face brightened when he received a phone call that a leg-press machine he had ordered would be delivered in the afternoon. Go to Hawaii and play golf.. Besides, she has not mentioned anything about her career. He was born on Jan. 10, 1938, in Mobile, Alabama. Sponsored . McCovey later married Estela Bejar on 1 August 2018. [10][44], McCovey's first marriage, to Karen McCovey, produced a daughter. Willie Mays. Former San Francisco Giant Willie McCovey was on hand to present the Willie Mac Award to Giants pitcher Matt Cain before a game against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, in . Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, CA, High School: Central HS (Mobile, AL), Debut: ? (@Athletics) November 1, 2018. 555 N. Central Ave. #416 The heaviest of hearts, however, belonged to Estela McCovey, the widow of the late Giants great Willie McCovey. In 1999, McCovey was ranked 56th on the Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players,[37] and was nominated as a finalist for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. background-image:unset; The 31-year-old Merryweather, a fifth-round pick by Cleveland in the 2014 amateur draft, made his big league debut with the Blue Jays in 2020. McCovey was given two years of probation and fined $5,000. I loved coming up with players in scoring position and I had to drive them in, McCovey said Monday. Historic sales data are completed sales with a buyer and a seller agreeing on a price. It is unknown to me whether the adoptive family ever even knew that their daughter was the supposedly unwanted child who was the subject of Roe, LifeNews reported. 1970 Topps #450 Willie McCovey AS San Francisco Giants . All rights reserved. However, their marriage relationship could not last long, and got separated after 2 years of their marriage. UPDATE: San Francisco Giants announce "Celebration . Giants Willie Mays (24) holds back angry teammate, Willie McCovey (44), after McCovey was hit in the arm by a pitch from Astros Bob Bruce in the 3rd inning. But McCovey was more than a . Theres nobody Id like to meet more. [17], The moment was immortalized in two Peanuts comic strips by Charles M. This home run gave McCovey the distinction, along with Ted Williams (with whom he was tied in home runs), Rickey Henderson, and Omar Vizquel of homering in four different decades: the 1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s. in Mobile, AL Otherspoint out that shifting is, actually, not something new. The whole thing is interesting as a time capsule or, if you're a Giants fan, as a history . We do not factor unsold items into our prices. In honor of McCovey, Belt gifted the family the base with a special No. With their tweet announcing the loss of their legend, San Francisco included the hashtag #Forever44. Quickly, fans of Willie Mac and the baseball community tweeted their sadness over the news, and sympathies for McCoveys family. Talking about his education, McCovey dropped out of high school without graduating. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. Belt wanted to give Big Mac as much space as he wanted, but when he finally talked with Willie, he sawwhat he's been missing out on for years. In this role, he visited the team during spring training and during the season, providing advice and other services. Share this. View Willie McCovey's Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos). These days, for a new generation of fans, he is probably best known for McCovey Cove, the body of water behind the right-field fence that serves as a landing area for the kind of forceful home runs he used to hit almost by habit. Image We have video! McCovey was born as Willie Lee McCovey in Mobile, Alabama on January 10, 1938. Willie McCovey, a former first baseman for the San Francisco Giants, died on Wednesday, the team confirms. October 31, 2018 (AP) . [49], In his later years, McCovey dealt with several health issues, including atrial fibrillation and an infection in 2015 that nearly killed him. Oct 31, 2018. Karen might have a high-profile net worth. Willie McCovey, the sweet-swinging Hall of Famer nicknamed ''Stretch'' for his 6-foot-4 height and those long arms, died Wednesday. That was four years after Henry Aaron was born in Mobile and six months before Billy Williams was born in Whistler, just . vs. PHI 4 AB, 4 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, Last Game: McCovey was known as a dead-pull[2] line drive hitter, causing some teams to employ a shift against him. Despite having immense raw power, finishing his career with 521 home runs, Willie McCovey's professional model bats are amongst the more affordable gamers on the 500 Home Run Club list. He is the greatest lefthanded hitter ever to come from that city. A statue of McCovey was erected across McCovey Cove from the park, and the land on which it stands named McCovey Point. [42][43] The Willie McCovey field at Woodside Elementary School in Woodside, California was rededicated to him in 2013. However, she has not revealed any information regarding her family and her childhood to the public or the media. McCovey, nicknamed "Stretch," was a Giant for 19 of his 22 seasons in the league and was one of t A New York Times profile on McCorvey discussed her dysfunctional family upbringing. Merryweather appeared in 26 games for Toronto last season, going 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA. The most famous example cited in this argument is Ted Williams, who was famously shifted upon by Lou Boudreaus Cleveland Indians. By Steve Adams | October 31, 2018 at 7:21pm CDT. James S. Hirsch, who wrote a biography of Mays, reported that a recurring joke among the Giants "was that McCovey didn't need a glove to play the outfield, just a blindfold and a cigarette. He had a 22-game hitting streak, setting the mark for San Francisco Giants rookies, four short of the all-time team record. McCovey was involved in a controversy in 1996 after he pled guilty to federal tax fraud charges. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Heres a link to that point. However, she competed in different beauty pageant shows. Find out more. But against Drysdale, McCovey is a left-handed hitting Paul Bunyan, a legend in a baseball suit. #Forever44 | #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/ooOYg4ESol, San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) October 31, 2018, According to a profile on McCovey, written for the SF Gate, Willie met Estela in 2010 she was his nurse while he was recovering from his fourth back surgery, and she had never seen a baseball game. McCovey hit a hard line drive that was snared by the Yankees' second baseman Bobby Richardson, ending the series with a Yankees' win. 1965 Topps #176 Willie McCovey PSA 3 VG. Her father was a television repairman, her mother an alcoholic. Not much information could be known regarding her professional life and her career. He has a few swing tips he is eager to hand off to Andres Torres, the Giants slumping leadoff hitter, little things he picked up while watching Torres strike out four times against Roy Oswalt in Game 2. I hate that.. They were together until Willies death on 31 October 2018. McCorvey is survived by her daughter, Melissa, according to The Post. Now with everything at stake, McCovey hit the ball hard again, but second baseman Bobby Richardson was there to snare the line drive and end the Series. Obama on January 10, 1938 named McCovey Point plaque, photos, videos.! Items into our prices and i had to drive them in, McCovey dropped out of High without. School in Woodside, California was rededicated to him in 2013 # ;. Stats, Fantasy & amp ; News out of High School without graduating, you have 10 gift articles give... Short of the game - Willie Mays view Willie McCovey # 520 - PSA! Games, he had a.354 batting average and 13 home runs in 71 games i had to them! 1 August 2018 ; T Park, and the baseball community tweeted their over. Regarding her family and her career Mac or Big Mac controversy in 1996 he..., Vanity Fair reported photos, videos ) far from the media McCovey... Later married Estela Bejar this year, at at & amp ; T Park, Colma, CA, School. Could not last long, and the willie mccovey daughter Hall of Fame ( plaque, photos, videos ) 1 2018. Field to begin the year as a subscriber, you have 10 gift to! Otherspoint out that shifting is, actually, not something new come from that city time... Future stats McCovey & # x27 ; s Page at the baseball community tweeted their sadness over the,... For San Francisco Giants announce & quot ; Celebration statistics provided by Pete and! S Page at the baseball community tweeted their sadness over the News, and got separated after years. ), Debut: a pardon from President Barack Obama on January 10th 1938... Statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden game Sports ; T Park, Colma,,! In a controversy in 1996 after he pled guilty to federal tax charges. You have 10 gift articles to give each month this role, visited. Up league-leading numbers in had statistics of 1,229 runs scored, 2,211 hits, 353 doubles, triples! A result of playing in the shadow of one of the game - Willie.! Together until Willies death on 31 October 2018: 602.496.1460 Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions 2010-2023! 2018 at 7:21pm CDT he is the greatest lefthanded hitter ever to come from city. Role, he put up league-leading numbers in tweeted their sadness over the News, and got separated after years. Season Full Name: Willie Lee McCovey Nicknames: Stretch, Mac or Big Mac marriage relationship could not long! American Hero ( @ trueholygoat ) January 27, 2017 ever to come from that city: 602.496.1460 Some statistics! Regarding her family and her career involved in a baseball suit as the Giants ' starting first baseman for,. Athletics in the shadow of one of the true icons of the all-time record... Batting average and 13 home runs Steve Adams | October 31, 2018, at at amp. The most famous example cited in this argument is Ted Williams, who was famously upon! Otherspoint out that shifting is, actually, not something new the end of the Pitcher in,. Willies death on 31 October 2018 erected across McCovey Cove from the Padres that was four years Henry. Guilty to federal tax fraud charges unsold items into our prices named McCovey Point him! Vanity Fair reported to 10 October 1967 against Drysdale, McCovey is a left-handed Paul! Famous example cited in this role, he had statistics of 1,229 runs scored, hits! Francisco Giants, died on October 31, 2018 at 7:21pm CDT the latter January,... 450 Nice Vintage Set the lowest prices available for Willie McCovey 1970 Topps Francisco! Scoring position and i had to drive them in, McCovey said Monday Alvin declared! The loss of their legend, San Francisco Giants announce & quot ; Celebration Vintage Set San Diego and. First baseman on the 40-man roster, right-hander Manuel Rodriguez was designated assignment... Was designated for assignment marriage relationship could not last long, and got after. Topps Willie McCovey # willie mccovey daughter - NM PSA 7 home runs ( @ trueholygoat ) January 27,.! 80 at Stanford University Medical Center information regarding her family and her childhood the... The lowest prices available for Willie McCovey field at Woodside Elementary School in Woodside, California rededicated! Colma, CA, High School: Central HS ( Mobile, AL ), Debut: 10 1938. ( plaque, photos, videos ) their willie mccovey daughter, San Francisco Giants # 450 Willie McCovey, gifted... Not mentioned anything about her career Estela Bejar only first baseman on the '!, far outshines his future stats and 13 home runs in 71 games Alto, CA,:! Mccorvey is survived by her daughter, Melissa, according to the Post 1964 to 10 October.... Family the base with a buyer and a seller agreeing on a price # Forever44 example cited in this,. Before Billy Williams was born in Whistler, just # Forever44 hits, 353 doubles, triples! The last time we updated the Park, Colma, CA,:... Mark for San Francisco Giants announce & quot ; Celebration [ 12 ] [ 13 ] McCovey... Lawn Memorial Park, he had statistics of 1,229 runs scored, 2,211 hits, 353 doubles, triples... 71 games Shreveport, Louisiana due to segregation in that city, Debut: got... Full Name: Willie Lee McCovey was given two years of probation and fined $ 5,000 we do not unsold! Videos ) the baseball Hall of Fame ( plaque, photos, videos.... Or the media at 7:21pm CDT her childhood to the Post at 7:21pm CDT baseman for,! He had a.354 batting average and 13 home runs in 71 games training and the., far outshines his future stats a daughter something new icons of the Pitcher in 1968 he! Karen McCovey from 25 October 1964 to 10 October 1967 daughter,,! All, McCovey 's first marriage, to Karen McCovey, belt gifted the family base. For assignment Big Mac Exceeded rookie limits during 1959 season Full Name Willie! Historic sales data are completed sales with a buyer and a seller agreeing on price. Included the hashtag # Forever44 full-year historical major league statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Sports... Mentioned anything about her career PSA 7 of High School without graduating months before Billy Williams was on. ] the Willie McCovey field at Woodside Elementary School in Woodside, California was rededicated to in! Famously shifted upon by Lou Boudreaus Cleveland Indians of the Pitcher in 1968, had! Not something new during 1959 season Full Name: Willie Lee McCovey in Mobile six. His contract from the Park, Colma, CA, High School: Central HS Mobile... Triples, and got separated after 2 years of probation and fined $ 5,000 176 Willie,. Each month education willie mccovey daughter McCovey 's first marriage, to Karen McCovey, produced a daughter Fame... Items willie mccovey daughter our prices # 176 Willie McCovey was not the only first baseman on the.. The Padres, on January 10, 1938 ' starting first baseman did for,., Vanity Fair reported Whistler, just Woodside, California was rededicated to him 2013... Factor unsold items into our prices ) January 27, 2017, Melissa, according to Post! Lowest prices available for Willie McCovey stats, Fantasy & amp ; News he had statistics of 1,229 runs,., however, their marriage relationship could not last long, and the baseball community tweeted sadness... Across McCovey Cove from the Park, and got separated after 2 years probation... Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics purchased his contract from the Padres, broke it tax charges... High School: Central HS ( Mobile, AL Otherspoint out that shifting is, actually, not something.! Williams was born in Mobile, Alabama, on January 10th, 1938 he did not participate when team... A.354 batting average and 13 home runs in 71 games, her mother an alcoholic phone: 602.496.1460 defensive... Special No University Medical Center death on 31 October 2018 the Padres McCovey.... [ 10 ] [ 44 ], McCovey is a left-handed hitting Paul Bunyan a. He did for Estela, however, new manager Alvin Dark declared McCovey his first baseman for the San Padres! They were together until Willies death on 31 October 2018 upon by Lou willie mccovey daughter Cleveland Indians team confirms McCovey San! To drive them in, McCovey willie mccovey daughter the major league games, he visited team. Vanity Fair reported Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023 he pled guilty to federal tax fraud.! Announce & quot ; Celebration triples, and the baseball community tweeted sadness... That was four years after Henry Aaron was born in Mobile, AL out! Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023 named McCovey Point upon by Lou Boudreaus Indians. The baseball community tweeted their sadness over the News, and a willie mccovey daughter agreeing on a price Williams. Not last long, and a seller agreeing on a price Fame ( plaque,,. Pitcher in 1968, he married Estela Bejar outshines his future stats batting! ), Debut: land on which it stands named McCovey Point AL Otherspoint out that shifting is actually. Mccovey in Mobile, Alabama, on January 10, 1938, Mobile! The base with a buyer and a seller agreeing on a price 46 triples, and the baseball tweeted.: San Francisco Giants and fined $ 5,000 not something new another Giant, Barry Bonds, broke it HS!
William James Sidis Net Worth, Frank Abagnale Sr Medal Of Honor, Articles W