Subject(s): Willie McCovey Sport: Baseball Location: San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA Unveiled: 5/5/2003 Sculptor: William Behrends Material: Bronze Status: In Situ Inscription(s): Inscribed on plinth: Willie McCovey Plaque 1: WILLIE LEE MCCOVEY. "STRETCH". SAN FRANCISCO, N.L., 1959-1972, 1977-1980. SAN DIEGO, N.L., 1974-1976. OAKLAND, A.L., 1976. TOP LEFT-HANDED HOME RUN HITTER IN N.L. HISTORY WITH 521. SECOND ONLY TO LOU GEHRIG WITH 18 CAREER GRAND SLAMS, LED N.L. IN HOMERS THREE TIMES AND RBI'S TWICE. N.L. ROOKIE OF YEAR IN 1959, MVP IN 1969 AND COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN '77. TEAMED WITH WILLIE MAYS FOR AWESOME 1-2 PUNCH IN GIANTS LINEUP. (This is a replica of the official inscription created for McCovey's Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1986 that is on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York). Plaque 2: WILLIE LEE McCOVEY. "Stretch" "Mac" "Big Mac". Born: January 10, 1938 (Mobile, Alabama). Signed by: Jesse Thomas and Alex Pompez, 1955. Major League Baseball Debut: July 30, 1959. Bats; Left. Throws: Left. Height: 6; 4". Weight: 210 lbs. CAREER BATTING STATISTICS. AVG .270. G 2,588. AB 8,197. R 1,229. H 2,211. 2B 358. 3B 46. HR 521. RBI 1,555. SB 26. BB 1,345. SO 1,550. OBP .374. SLG .515. HONORS. NL Rookie of the Year (1959), All-Star (1963, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971), All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1969), NL Most Valuable Player (1969), NL Comeback Player of the Year (1977). Hall of Fame (1986). Plaque 3: WILLIE LEE McCOVEY. Willie Lee McCovey was born on January 12, 1938 in Mobile, Alabama as the seventh of ten children of Frank and Ester McCovey. In 1986, Willie became just the 16th individual to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. During the 18 years in between, 22 of which were spent sculpting one of the greatest careers in baseball history, the soft-spoken man with the loud bat became known as both one of the most respected and feared hitters of his or any generation, and as one of the most beloved individuals to ever wear a San Francisco Giants uniform. During a career that spanned four decades, McCovey earned the respect and widespread admiration from his teammates and players throughout the game. In recognition of his quiet leadership, the Giants established the "Willie Mac Award" in 1980. The only Giants award ever named after a former player, the annual honor is voted on by the team and is bestowed upon the Giants player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership displayed by McCovey throughout his career. After belting 29 homers and hitting .372 during a three month stint in the Pacific Coast League, McCovey broke into the Major Leagues by going four-for-four off Philadelphia's Robin Roberts in his first ever big league game. He went on to hit .354 in 1959 and was chosen unanimously as the NL Rookie of the Year. By the time he retired in 1980, McCovey had been named an All-Star six times, had thrice led the NL in home runs and twice paced the circuit in RBI (becoming just the fifth player in history to win consecutive homer and RBI titles). The 1969 NL Most Valuable Player and 1977 Comeback Player of the Year belted an NL-record 18 grand slams (3rd all-time) and is the only player in baseball history to hit two home runs in the same inning on two different occasions. Also known for his glovework, he was nick-named "Stretch" for his ability to catch everything around first base. A stalwart in a powerful Giants lineup and a man who helped define baseball in Northern California, "Stretch" leads all San Francisco players in games (2,256), home runs (469) and RBI (1,388). On September 16, 1966, McCovey hit a 500-foot home run, reportedly the longest ever hit at Candlestick Park. McCovey clubbed his first career home run on August 2, 1959 against Pittsburgh, then joined baseball's hallowed 500-Home Run Club on June 30, 1978. His 521 career roundtrippers are tied with Ted Williams for 12th all-time and stood for over 21 years as the NL record for a left-handed batter. Williams honored his fellow left-handed power hitter by naming McCovey as one of the greatest hitters of all time and inducting him into the Ted Williams' Hitters Hall of Fame. McCovey was a player respected and even revered by teammates and opposing players alike, a man who endured and persevered through numerous injuries throughout his Hall of Fame career. His number 44 (which he wore in honor of his hero, Hank Aaron), has been retired by the Giants, while memories of Willie McCovey's powerful swing and graceful glove will live in the minds of baseball fans forever. Links: Sculptor