A good friend and former teammate had a 10 year career in the majors. He was a pitcher and always said that Willie McCovey was his “toughest out.” A big, free swinger, guy that would hit a waste pitch out if he could get his bat on the ball. RIP Willie.
I too remember the ABJECT FEAR when that man came to the plate. I literally cannot think of any other player that brought that fear. (Willie Mays came across as simply too nice of a guy to instill that level of fear)