Willie McCovey

[barrysloate]

As a lifetime Giants fan, McCovey was just about my favorite player. Know he had been dealing with health problems for a long time. Sad day.

[D.P.Johnson]

RIP Willie......

[Vintageclout]

Bobby Richardson always said that McCovey’s line drive to end the 1962 World Series was by far the hardest hit ball he ever caught. Only a handful of hitters could hit a ball as hard as McCovey. I’ll never forget in the early 70’s he hit a gigantic home run off of Tom Seaver into the right field THIRD DECK at Shea Stadium. Never saw another left handed hitter accomplish that (Agee hit one into the left field third deck). One of the most fearsome hitters who ever stepped into a batters box. RIP Stretch.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Vintageclout

Bobby Richardson always said that McCovey’s line drive to end the 1962 World Series was by far the hardest hit ball he ever caught. Only a handful of hitters could hit a ball as hard as McCovey. I’ll never forget in the early 70’s he hit a gigantic home run off of Tom Seaver into the right field THIRD DECK at Shea Stadium. Never saw another left handed hitter accomplish that (Agee hit one into the left field third deck). One of the most fearsome hitters who ever stepped into a batters box. RIP Stretch.

Just read a great quote in his obit. When he was asked late in life what he would like to best be remembered for, he responded: "I would like to be remembered as the guy who hit the line drive over Bobby Richardson's head."

[Kawika]

I was a nine year old Giants fan and I remember the buzz about the rookie. He hit two triples off Robin Roberts in his first MLB game. Mays, McCovey and Cepeda presented a tough top-of-the-order for many years. Seemed like he always had a smile on his face. You had to love the guy. A sad day for all of us.



Another Giants luminary, at least in my book, passed away recently. Hank Greenwald could call a baseball game. Had a lot of knowledge and an affable style, and knew when to be quiet (unlike the motormouths we do not suffer gladly today). The Giants typically played day games on Wednesday back in the '80's when I lived in the Bay Area. What a treat it was to listen to the ball game while I toiled away drawing survey maps. Made work fun. Those days are a nice memory for me. RIP

[Fred]

Stretch was always good about signing for kids. He's the type of player that made baseball and the organization he played for look good. Total class act.

RIP Stretch.

[ALR-bishop]

From the Topps Rookie Banquet program, October 29, 1959 at the Hotel Manhattan. It was the first such Topps banquet and resulted in the rookie trophy awards for those who would appear in the 1960 set

[Exhibitman]

RIP Willie