Posted on 10/31/2018 5:26:12 PM PDT by CaliforniaCraftBeer
“If you pitch to him, he’ll ruin a baseball,’’ rival manager Sparky Anderson once said. “There’s no comparison between McCovey and anybody else in the league.” He was the National League rookie of the year in 1959, the league’s MVP in 1969 and the comeback player of the year in 1977 when he kicked off a late-career renaissance by returning to the Giants after a three-year absence. In all, McCovey was a six-time All-Star whose career home run total ties him with Ted Williams for 18th on the all-time list. Before Barry Bonds passed him, McCovey had more home runs than any other left-handed hitter in N.L history. McCovey’s total includes 18 grand slams, a figure topped by only three players. He was inducted into Cooperstown on his first ballot, in 1986..
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
RIP
RIP.
Mays, McCovey, and Stargell .... the Willies ....
WOW! One of the all time greats. Condolences to family and friends of Willie McCovey. R.I.P., sir. Thanks.
Back in the 1960’s as a kid I followed baseball to some degree, it was great. Watched the game of the week with Pee Wee Reese and Dizzy Dean. Those were the days, good games and great players, and Willie was one of them.
Truly.
I remember him from the 70s.
Game Called - Grantland Rice
Game Called. Across the field of play
the dusk has come, the hour is late.
The fight is done and lost or won,
the player files out through the gate.
The tumult dies, the cheer is hushed,
the stands are bare, the park is still.
But through the night there shines the light,
home beyond the silent hill.
Game Called. Where in the golden light
the bugle rolled the reveille.
The shadows creep where night falls deep,
and taps has called the end of play.
The game is done, the score is in,
the final cheer and jeer have passed.
But in the night, beyond the fight,
the player finds his rest at last.
Game Called. Upon the field of life
the darkness gathers far and wide,
the dream is done, the score is spun
that stands forever in the guide.
Nor victory, nor yet defeat
is chalked against the players name.
But down the roll, the final scroll,
shows only how he played the game.
I saw Stretch play many, many times when he came to Wrigley Field. I can say with assurance that he was the most feared, intimidating slugger in the National League. No one hit the ball harder or farther.
RIP, Stretch.
He didn’t look well in an on field appearance this season. RIP.
From memory: Red Schiendienst(Mgr - STL)
Matty Alou - CF (PIT)
Don Kessinger - SS (CHI)
Hank Aaron - RF (ATL)
Willie McCovey - 1B (SF)
Ron Santo - 3B (CHI)
Cleon Jones - LF (NYM)
Johnny Bench - C (CIN)
Felix Millan - 2B (ATL)
So long, Stretch. You were one of the best.
Beautiful poem,thanks-——my uncle,a newspaperman,was a huge admirer of Grantland Rice.
.
That I love.
The kid in that photo looks like a young Kurt Russell.
Rip
Him and Willie....thst was a helluva team then...I remember it well
Gaylord Perry and Bobby Bonds and Juan Marichal
RIP
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.