Willie McCovey, San Francisco Giants legend, dies at age 80

Willie McCovey, first-place Hall of Fame player who has played 19 of his 22 seasons with the San Francisco Giants and 521 career races, died Wednesday at age 80.

The Giants said McCovey had died of persistent health problems.

Nicknamed "Stretch" because of his 6-foot-4 frame, McCovey teamed up with Willie Mays to create a formidable 1-2 punch in Giants training for the 13 seasons they played together.

McCovey retired in 1980 with the highest number of homeruns ever beaten by a left-handed NHL hitter, which was maintained until 2001, when Barry Bonds, another giant, was the only player to win. broke. He finished his career with 18 Grand Slams (second in Lou Gehrig's position at the time) and led the league three times and points scored twice. On six occasions, he finished his career with a batting average of 0.270, 521 homers and 1,555 RBIs.

McCovey made his league debut in 1959, scoring 4 in 4 in his first game. He hit .354, with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs in 52 games this season, and was named Rookie of the Year.

One of McCovey's best seasons was held in 1969, when he won the most valuable player honors. That year, he led the league in home runs (45), points scored (126) and percentage based (.453).

McCovey was traded by the Giants to the San Diego Padres in 1973. He played in San Diego and Oakland before returning to San Francisco as a free agent for his last four seasons. He won the Sporting News NL Player of the Year award in his first season with the Giants in 1977.

An honor that escaped McCovey was a World Series ring. In 1962, he was the victim of a series of seven bitter games against the Yankees. McCovey went in with two outs in the ninth inning, his team down 1-0, with the runners on the second and third goals. McCovey managed a shot at the right field, which seemed to lead to victory, but was caught by Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson to end the match and the series. The moment was so iconic that it figured in a Peanuts comic book.

McCovey's legacy in San Francisco has endured throughout his career. Home runs hit over the right wall of AT & T Park are spreading in the waters of McCovey Cove and the "Willie Mac" award, awarded by players, coaches and coaching staff , is awarded annually by the Giants to reward player personnel.