McCovey's career got off to a strong start, as he was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1959. He then went on to post a .250 batting average with 44 home runs, and 126 RBIs in his first full season. McCovey would be a regular fixture in the National League's home run leaderboards, topping the league in four separate seasons.
McCovey was also known for his plate discipline and his ability to hit for power and average. He had a career batting average of .270, and finished with 521 home runs. He was also a consistent threat to draw walks, as he had 1,229 bases on balls during his career.
McCovey was a feared hitter and a fan-favorite wherever he went. He was a part of the San Francisco Giants for the majority of his career, and would even have a day dedicated to him by the team in 1980, his final season. McCovey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest hitters of all time.
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3 minutes
2018
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum mourns the passing of Class of 1986...
The Baseball Hall of Fame Remembers Willie McCovey / The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum mourns the passing of Class of 1986 member Willie McCovey. January 10, 1938 – October 31, 2018.
2½ hours
May 4, 1980May 4, 1980
On a sunny day at Stade Olympique on May 4, 1980, the San Francisco Giants...
1980 San Francisco Giants vs Montreal Expos - Radio Broadcast / On a sunny day at Stade Olympique on May 4, 1980, the San Francisco Giants faced off against the Montreal Expos in a match that saw starting pitchers John Montefusco for the Giants and Steve Rogers for the Expos. At this point in the season, both teams were aiming to improve their standings, with the Giants looking to leverage their offensive strengths and the Expos hoping to capitalize on their home-field advantage. The game not only featured these seasoned pitchers but also notable players like Jack Clark and Willie McCovey for the Giants, each bringing a season of mixed successes and challenges that added layers to the day’s expectations.
The game unfolded with the Giants setting a strong pace, initiating their scoring in the very first inning and gradually building their lead. Key offensive plays included a double by Terry Whitfield that drove in two runs early, setting the tone for the Giants. The middle innings remained relatively quiet, with both teams' pitchers working hard to stifle batters. However, the Giants broke through again in the seventh and eighth innings, significantly extending their lead thanks to strategic hits and capitalizing on an error by the Expos’ Warren Cromartie. This surge was highlighted by important RBIs from players like Jack Clark, who continued to be instrumental throughout the game.
The final score of 8-4 reflected a well-earned victory for the Giants, with the Expos unable to close the gap despite late efforts including a double by Ron LeFlore that spurred a brief rally. This game mirrored broader seasonal trends for both teams, with the Giants showing flashes of the potential that often went unrealized throughout the season, while the Expos grappled with consistency.
2½ hours
Sep 17, 1966Sep 17, 1966
On Saturday, September 17, 1966, the San Francisco Giants faced off against the...
New York Mets vs San Francisco Giants - Radio Broadcast / On Saturday, September 17, 1966, the San Francisco Giants faced off against the New York Mets at Candlestick Park. The Giants handed the ball to their ace, Juan Marichal, while the Mets countered with Dennis Ribant. The 1966 season had been a challenging one for the Mets, who were still in the early years of their franchise and struggling to find consistent success. The Giants, on the other hand, were a more established team with a solid roster, including the legendary Willie Mays and the power-hitting first baseman Willie McCovey. As for the broader context of the season, the Baltimore Orioles were the team to beat in the American League, while the National League was being dominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The game started off as a pitching duel, with both Marichal and Ribant holding their respective opponents scoreless through the first three innings. The Giants broke the deadlock in the fourth, with McCovey launching a solo home run. He would add another solo shot in the fifth, giving the Giants a 3-0 lead. The Mets, however, would not go quietly. In the sixth inning, Ken Boyer and Al Luplow each hit solo home runs to cut the Giants' lead to one. Luplow would again come through in the clutch in the eighth, hitting a two-run homer to tie the game at 4-4.
The game remained tied until the tenth inning. Jim Hart led off the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to give the Giants a one-run lead. McCovey then solidified the Giants' victory with his third home run of the game, a two-run shot that sealed the 6-4 win for the Giants. The Mets' late-game rally, highlighted by Luplow's two home runs, was an exciting twist, but ultimately fell short.
In the grand scheme of the 1966 season, this game was a microcosm of the experiences of both teams. The Mets showed flashes of potential but struggled to put it all together, finishing the season in ninth place in the National League. The Giants, meanwhile, finished in second place in the National League, just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers. McCovey's three-home run performance was a highlight of his impressive season, in which he hit .295 with 36 home runs and 96 RBIs. Despite their strong season, the Giants fell short of the postseason, with the Dodgers representing the National League in the World Series against the Orioles.
16 minutes
Jul 12, 1966Jul 12, 1966
The 1966 MLB All-Star Game was held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The...
1966 MLB All Star Game Highlights / The 1966 MLB All-Star Game was held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The National League defeated the American League 2-1 in 10 innings. Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles hit a solo home run for the AL, while Tim McCarver of the St. Louis Cardinals hit a game-winning RBI double for the NL.
2 hours
Jul 15, 1962Jul 15, 1962
In the 1962 season, both the New York Giants and the New York Mets experienced...
San Francisco Giants vs New York Mets - Radio Broadcast / In the 1962 season, both the New York Giants and the New York Mets experienced contrasting fortunes in Major League Baseball. The Giants, led by manager Alvin Dark, showcased a strong performance, finishing the regular season with a commendable record of 103 wins and 62 losses. They featured standout players such as Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda, who contributed significantly to their success. However, despite their remarkable regular season, the Giants fell short in the World Series, losing to the American League champions, the New York Yankees, in a tightly contested seven-game series.
On the other hand, the newly formed New York Mets had a difficult inaugural season. Managed by Casey Stengel, the Mets struggled to find their footing, concluding the season with a disappointing record of 40 wins and 120 losses. Plagued by inconsistent performances and a lack of experienced players, the Mets faced significant challenges throughout the year. Despite the team's struggles, the 1962 season laid the groundwork for the Mets' future development and eventual rise to success in the years to come.
30 minutes
1926–2007
In a unique twist on the classic Home Run Derby, the San Francisco Giants are...
All-Time San Francisco Giants Home Run Derby Simulation / In a unique twist on the classic Home Run Derby, the San Francisco Giants are set to stage an epic showdown featuring four of their most legendary sluggers: Mel Ott, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, and Barry Bonds. This virtual matchup, made possible through the magic of modern gaming technology, pits these icons against each other, each in their prime, and promises a thrilling spectacle for fans of all generations. It's a contest that spans the rich history of the franchise, from Ott's tenure in the 1930s and '40s, through Mays and McCovey's era in the '60s and '70s, to Bonds' record-setting reign in the late '90s and 2000s. Given the historical context, this event is more than just a game; it's a celebration of the Giants' legacy, a tribute to the power hitters who've left their mark not just on the team, but on the sport itself.