[81alum]

RIP. Willie died today.   One of my hero’s.    I wasn’t there for his first Gabe but was when he returned in the 70s
Sad day

Indeed.

I saw him play on May 28, 1978--my very first professional sports game I ever attended, with the Dodgers against the Giants at Candlestick.  I wasn't knowledgeable about baseball, but when I heard his name I recognized it and was surprised that he was still playing.  I remember thinking "someday I will be able to say I saw Willie McCovey play."  Well, old 81 to young 81: today is that day.

Sadly, he had a mediocre day, with no hits.  The Giants called up a new pinch hitter, Mike Ivie, who proceeded to hit a grand slam to beat the Dodgers, and that overshadowed everything else.  My seat was so bad that I couldn't see where the balls landed--every fly ball looked like it might be a home run when it disappeared out of my line of sight.  But the crowd told me what I needed to know.

[81alum]

RIP. Willie died today.   One of my hero’s.    I wasn’t there for his first Gabe but was when he returned in the 70s
Sad day

Indeed.

I saw him play on May 28, 1978--my very first professional sports game I ever attended, with the Dodgers against the Giants at Candlestick.  I wasn't knowledgeable about baseball, but when I heard his name I recognized it and was surprised that he was still playing.  I remember thinking "someday I will be able to say I saw Willie McCovey play."  Well, old 81 to young 81: today is that day.

Sadly, he had a mediocre day, with no hits.  The Giants called up a new pinch hitter, Mike Ivie, who proceeded to hit a grand slam to beat the Dodgers, and that overshadowed everything else.  My seat was so bad that I couldn't see where the balls landed--every fly ball looked like it might be a home run when it disappeared out of my line of sight.  But the crowd told me what I needed to know.