San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer Willie McCovey — for whom “McCovey Cove” in the waters beyond right field at AT&T Park was named — died Wednesday at the age of 80, the team announced.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie McCovey passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 80 after losing his battle with ongoing health issues,’’ the team wrote on Twitter.
In a 22-year career, 19 with the Giants, between 1959 and 1980, McCovey hit 521 home runs — tied with Frank Thomas and Ted Williams for 20th all time. Eighteen of his homers were grand slams, fifth all time.
The Giants traded him to the Padres in 1973, and he also played for the Athletics before returning to San Francisco as a free agent in 1977.
McCovey retired 20 years before AT&T Park opened, but had he played there, many blasts from the fearsome, lefty-swinging slugger surely would have landed in the waters beyond right field. Hence that area was dubbed “McCovey Cove.”
“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,” fellow Hall of Famer Henry Aaron once said.
The 6-foot-4 McCovey — nicknamed “Stretch” for his ability to save wild throws to first base while keeping his foot on the bag — also knocked in 1,555 runs, teaming with fellow Hall of Famer Willie Mays to give San Francisco a lethal, if never a championship, middle of the batting order.
McCovey batted .354 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs to win the 1959 NL Rookie of the Year award. He also was a six-time All-Star, the 1969 NL MVP and a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1986.
He had been getting around in a wheelchair in recent years. Four years ago, McCovey suffered a serious infection that nearly took his life. The San Francisco Chronicle said he had recently developed another infection and was hospitalized late last week.
McCovey attended the Giants’ final home game this past season, but had to be rushed to the hospital, according to reports.
Famously, McCovey hit a screaming line drive that ended up in Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson’s glove to end Game 7 of the 1962 World Series — the closest the Giants came to a title in the McCovey-Mays era.
The Giants, who lost that game 1-0, had runners on second and third when McCovey’s shot ended the game.
“I still think about it all the time,’’ McCovey recalled in 2014. “I still think, ‘If I could have hit it a little more.’ ”
McCovey was remembered Wednesday as much for being a gentleman as for that fearsome swing and immense power.
“Willie McCovey was one of our game’s greatest power hitters,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He won the National League MVP in 1969 and, alongside fellow Hall of Famer and Alabama native Willie Mays, was a key part of many memorable Giants’ teams. For 22 years on the field and many more after retiring, Willie was a superb ambassador for the Giants and our game.”
Said 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.”
— With wire reports