Date of Birth: January 10, 1938
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: October 31, 2018
Biography
Willie McCovey was an American professional baseball player, best known for his career as a first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on January 10, 1938, in Mobile, Alabama, McCovey began his professional career with the San Francisco Giants in 1959. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the most feared power hitters in the game, earning the nickname “Stretch” for his impressive 6-foot-4 frame and long reach. McCovey’s career spanned 22 seasons, primarily with the Giants, though he also played for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics. He was a six-time All-Star and was named the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year in 1959. One of his most notable achievements was winning the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in 1969, when he led the league in home runs and runs batted in (RBIs). McCovey retired in 1980 with 521 career home runs, ranking him among the top home run hitters of his era. In 1986, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot. After his playing days, McCovey remained involved with the Giants organization, serving in various capacities including as a special assistant to the general manager. Willie McCovey passed away on October 31, 2018, but his legacy as one of baseball’s all-time greats endures.
5 Interesting Facts about Willie McCovey
1. Willie McCovey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986.
2. He hit 521 career home runs, placing him among the top 20 home run hitters in MLB history at the time of his retirement.
3. McCovey won the National League MVP Award in 1969.
4. He was known as “Stretch” due to his impressive 6-foot-4 height and long reach.
5. The San Francisco Giants named their cove beyond the right-field wall at Oracle Park “McCovey Cove” in his honor.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Willie McCovey
1. “When you get to the plate, you have to be ready to hit the first pitch, because you might not get another one.”
2. “I never thought about being in the Hall of Fame. I was just trying to do my job.”
3. “I loved playing in San Francisco. The fans were tremendous, and it was a great place to play baseball.”
4. “Baseball is a game of adjustments, and you have to keep making them.”
5. “I’ve always said that if I had one guy to drive in runs, it would be Willie McCovey.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth Willie McCovey achieved was estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Willie McCovey had one daughter, Allison McCovey.
Relevant Links
1. [Baseball Hall of Fame – Willie McCovey](https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/mccovey-willie
2. [MLB.com – Willie McCovey](https://www.mlb.com/player/willie-mccovey-118014
3. [Wikipedia – Willie McCovey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_McCovey
4. [San Francisco Giants – Willie McCovey](https://www.mlb.com/giants/history/players/willie-mccovey
5. [ESPN – Willie McCovey](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/2118/willie-mccovey
