Willie McCovey
|
|
Willie Lee McCovey (born January 10, 1938 in Mobile, Alabama), nicknamed "Big Mac" and "Stretch", is a former slugger and first baseman who played Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics between 1959 and 1980.
In his 22-year career (19 with the Giants), McCovey batted .270, with 521 home runs and 1555 RBI, 1229 runs scored, 2211 hits, 353 doubles, 46 triples, a .374 on base percentage and a .515 slugging average.
McCovey Cove behind the outfield wall of the Giants' SBC Park was named after him. McCovey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986, his first year of eligibility.
In September 2003, McCovey and a business partner opened McCovey's Restaurant, a baseball-themed sports bar and restaurant, located in Walnut Creek, California.
Highlights
- National League Rookie of the Year (1959)
- NL MVP Award (1969)
- 6-time All-Star (1963, 1966, 1968-71)
- MVP of All-Star Game (1969)
- 3-times led NL in home runs (1963, 1968-69)
- 2-times led NL in RBI (1968-69)
- 3-times led NL in slugging average (1968-70)
- 3-times led NL in OPS (1968-70)
- 18 grand slams in his career (ranking third to Lou Gehrig's 23 and Eddie Murray's 19)
See also
External links
- Baseball Hall of Fame (http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers%5Fand%5Fhonorees/hofer%5Fbios/mccovey%5Fwillie.htm)
- Template:Baseball-reference
- Baseball Library (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/M/McCovey_Willie.stm)
- McCovey's Restaurant (http://www.mccoveys.com)
Categories: Baseball Hall of Fame | 1963 National League All-Stars | 1966 National League All-Stars | 1968 National League All-Stars | 1969 National League All-Stars | 1970 National League All-Stars | 1971 National League All-Stars | Oakland Athletics players | San Diego Padres players | San Francisco Giants players | Major league first basemen | 1938 births | People from Alabama | Rookies of the Year