Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey pardoned by Obama

The Guardian ^ | Tuesday 17 January 2017 | Bryan Armen Graham

[Forgotten Amendments]

McCovey pleaded guilty to income tax-fraud conspiracy in 1995, alongside fellow baseball star Duke Snider, for failing to report thousands of dollars each in fees received from memorabilia and autograph shows.

The plea carried a sentence of up to seven months in jail. Both McCovey and Snider, who died in 2011, were given two years’ probation and a $5,000 fine in 1996.

[Forgotten Amendments]

I forgot McCovey was caught up in this. I just remember the outrage of sweet, OLD Duke Snider getting this crap from the IRS. They used to pick a celeb to crucify every year to keep us terrified.

Good for Obama for this cosmetic move. Of course, this is total hypocrisy. The DOJ should've been prosecuting the IRS for the past 5 years of misconduct.

Ironically, @ the end of his career, Duke had to pinch hit for an injured McCovey and had to face Koufax. He told a funny story about that.

[treetopsandroofs]

Cover for Sharpton?

[Tallguy]

Will Obama see Pete Rose into the Baseball HoF? Shoot this is getting ridiculous!

[TexasGator]

Duke was not pardoned?

[dsc]

Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
Cause I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet

Taxman!
Cause I’m the taxman, yeah I’m the taxman

Don’t ask me what I want it for (Aahh Mr. Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more (Aahh Mr. Heath)
Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Cause I’m the taxman, yeah, I’m the taxman

And you’re working for no one but me.
Taxman!

[StAntKnee]

The story does not say Duke Snider was pardoned. Only Chelsea (the not-guy) and Willie, the not-white guy.

Press bias? Or Obama bias?

Is there more to this story?

[Forgotten Amendments]

Joe Louis raised many million$ for the war effort. The IRS rewarded him by ruining him for back taxes. Shameful. And little has changed.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

If he were still alive, he would not have been pardoned.

[Hieronymus]

The story does, however, say that Snider is dead. He probably doesn’t have that much use for a pardon, so I’d give Obama a pass on this one.

[Michael.SF.]

Shoeless Joe should be pardoned.

[Mean Daddy]

Surprised Duke didn’t get the Medal of Freedom. Hell, I got one.

[LibFreeUSA]

Why not Pete Rose?

[doug from upland]

I saw McCovey’s last game which was at Dodger Stadium on Fan Appreciation Day. Of course, we Dodger fans absolutely hated him. He came in for his last ever at bat as a pinch hitter in the 8th or 9th and hit a sac fly. It was an amazing moment when the loyal Dodger fans gave the guy what seemed to be a standing O for at least 10 minutes.

[StAntKnee]

I stand corrected. I misread the bit and thought both died in 2011.

Gotta stop posting while drinking.

Jameson.

[jennychase]

Why not OJ?

[Red Badger]

POTUS can pardon only federal crimes, not state..........

[raccoonradio]

Youtube has a version of this sung by Obama pieced together from his speeches

[wardamneagle]

Just another Lefty. Dont get too excided.

[Gator113]

Why should Duke be pardoned, he was White?

[Hostage]

> “Of course, this is total hypocrisy. The DOJ should’ve been prosecuting the IRS for the past 5 years of misconduct.”

Yes.

> “Duke had to pinch hit for an injured McCovey and had to face Koufax. He told a funny story about that.”

There was nothing funny about facing Koufax. The odds of anyone facing him being struck out were 95 to 1.