Willie McCovey
| Birthdate | 1/10/1938 |
| Death Date | 10/31/2018 |
| Debut Year | 1959 |
| Year of Induction | 1986 |
| Teams | Athletics, Giants, Padres |
| Position | First Base |
Willie McCovey was a six-time All Star and won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1959, and the NL MVP and All Star MVP Awards in 1969.
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Willie McCovey earned the 1959 Rookie of the Year Award
Willie McCovey earned the 1959 Rookie of the Year Award
Willie McCovey broke into the big leagues and made an immediate impact. Voted the NL’s Rookie of the Year in 1959, he was an All Star by ’63. That season his 44 homers led the Senior Circuit.
As pitchers dominated the 1960s, McCovey hit exactly 300 homers in the decade. In the Year of the Pitcher in 1968, he put up league-leading numbers in homers (36), RBI (105), slugging percentage (.545), and OPS (923). Stretch was even better in ’69 when earned the Most Valuable Player Award. The big first baseman hit .320 with career bests in homers with 45 and RBI with 126. Opposing pitchers intentionally walked McCovey an NL high 45 times. His OPS+ was an astounding 209.
Though his production declined as the next decade progressed, he still averaged more than 20 homers per season in the 1970s. When he retired after the 1980 campaign McCovey had 521 homers and 1,555 RBI.
In the collection is this contract between McCovey and the Autographed Ball Company. For years in souvenir stands at MLB stadiums offered baseballs with stamped signatures of the home team. McCovey agrees to appear on those balls.
The terms of the contract? Stretch received one cent per ball sold. McCovey signed this contract on March 15, 1959 a full four months before making his big league debut.
McCovey earned MVP votes in 10 seasons and won it in 1969
McCovey earned MVP votes in 10 seasons and won it in 1969
Willie McCovey’s name is found in MVP voting totals for ten different seasons. His first year of big league baseball garnered him consideration in 1959. Writers also gave him votes in 1963 then in every season from ’65-’71 and again in ’77.
Shown here is an autographed 1970 Topps card of McCovey. Flipping the card over reveals 1969 as his latest season. And what a season it was!
McCovey was voted the National League’s Most Valuable Player after hitting .320 with 45 homers and 126 RBI. He led the league that season in homers, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and intentional walks.
When he retired, McCovey's 521 homers ranked 7th all time
When he retired, McCovey's 521 homers ranked 7th all time
When Willie McCovey retired in 1980 he was in elite company. He left the game with 521 career home runs, tied with Ted Williams for 8th all-time.
The seven sluggers with more were Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Mickey Mantle, and Jimmie Foxx.
Since then, a dozen more men have passed the Giants first baseman. McCovey now ranks 20th in career home runs.
The above lineup card is from the July 29, 2008 contest when Jim Thome hit his 522nd home run to pass McCovey and Williams. For more on Thome, click here.
Among lefties, only Babe Ruth had more homers than McCovey when he retired
Among lefties, only Babe Ruth had more homers than McCovey when he retired
There was Babe and then there was Willie. When Willie McCovey retired in 1980, only Babe Ruth had more home runs as a left-handed hitter.
Shown here is a photo signed by the Bambino in theyear of his death in 1948.
Since McCovey’s retirement, six more postsiders have eclipsed his total of 521 home runs. They include Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome, Rafael Palmeiro, Reggie Jackson, and David Ortiz.
Hall of Fame induction day came on 8/3/86 for Willie McCovey
Hall of Fame induction day came on 8/3/86 for Willie McCovey
Six All Star appearances, an MVP Award and 521 career homers makes Willie McCovey a no-doubt Hall of Famer. In 1986 he became the 23rd first-ballot selection for Cooperstown.
That year the Veterans Committee also selected Ernie Lombardi and Red Sox second baseman Bobby Doerr to receive baseball’s highest honor. Together the three men were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on August 3, 1986.
Shown here is an invitation to the ceremony. Doerr’s signature appears at the bottom.
