Outside Topic Willie Mccovey RIP

Outside Topic Willie Mccovey RIP - Printable Version

+- The CardBoard (https://thecardboard.org/board)
+-- Forum: C-House! (https://thecardboard.org/board/forum-4.html)
+--- Forum: The CardBoard (https://thecardboard.org/board/forum-5.html)
+--- Thread: Outside Topic Willie Mccovey RIP (/thread-16703.html)

Pages: 1 2

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - Phogge - 11-01-2018

Mike Morgan.
Recent HOF Tim Raines.

A catcher and two lefties?

Wild guess... Jessie Orosco?

I am reaching down into the depths of my brain which is getting less deep as I age.

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - BobK - 11-01-2018

Vernon
Raines
Mike Morgan of all people
Jesse Orosco

That's 4 just 2 to go and no not Bill Dickey

Mostly thought of at least to me as a Dodger this lefty won 220 games

This Catcher hit 233 lifetime yet was the starter for one team 8 straight years.

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - Embo - 11-01-2018

This saddens me. A great deal.
I witnessed my first sporting event in 1966. At Candlestick Park, sitting in the wooden seats in the reserved section. Oh, the fresh air, green grass, the barking of the vendors, and the sound of the batted ball. And in front of me, such legends as Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Orlando Cepeda. And Willie McCovey was in a class by himself.

There is a reason McCovey was such a beloved figure in SF. No one - even opponents - can say a single bad word about him. He was a feared slugger, but he was humble, dignified in every way. I can even recall the way he retired. There was a rookie first baseman on the team - Rich Murray, the brother of Eddie - who McCovey felt was a "phenom". McCovey submitted his notice to retire in June 1980 as he didn't want to impede his progress. I had to go to McCovey's last game in Candlestick, which was a remarkable feat for our family - it was a weekday afternoon game, and somehow my father, sister (a big fan of Willie) and I were all able to get the day off. I can proudly say I saw his last base hit - a screaming single into right, versus the shift, bringing home Jack Clark, who had tripled just prior. And the following Sunday in LA, Willie had the last of his 1,555 RBIs against the Dodgers - a sacrifice fly. He commanded such respect that even the Dodgers fans gave him a standing ovation as he retreated to the dugout.

What a great player. And a greater statesman. This is baseball's loss.

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - CornFed - 11-01-2018

I was not much of a baseball fan until I got to Stanford in the Fall of 1970. In my freshman dorm I got to know a pitching phenom, Bob DiPietro, whose father, I think, had pitched for the Giants at some point. Bob was gracious enough to invite me to join him to a Giants game when he received some comp tickets from his dad or from the Giants. I had so much fun. Bob held court and provided play-by-play and color commentary to the great amusement and enjoyment of everyone within earshot. I had never realized how much was going on at all times during a baseball game. I had been one of those kinds of people who think the only interesting thing happening was when the ball was put in play. With Bob providing insight and humor, I had my first primer on the dynamics of a professional baseball game.

During that first game, McCovey hit a home run that spoiled my appreciation of power shots forever after (at least until I watched Barry Bonds). We were sitting in the lower level seats along the third base line. The sound of the contact was shocking. My eyes had a hard time picking up the ball, as it was hit so hard that I wasn't prepared to see it leave the field so quickly. Also, it isn't that the trajectory was so low. It was that there was virtually no trajectory. I seriously believe (though I'm sure my memory has enhanced this) that the ball was still rising when it hit the back of an empty seat in the upper deck in right field. The ball struck that surface with such force that the sound was clear and sharp, and it bounced off that seat and rebounded all the way back onto the field. I was dumbstruck.

And so began my long and gradual education about the joy of baseball. I moved back to SF in 1981. McCovey had retired the previous year, but he was a genial figure at Giants games and I actually had occasion to meet him during a charity golf event at the California Club. He had an infectious grin and a wonderfully open and friendly person. It always seemed to me that he was overshadowed by Willie Mays a bit, but he was a guy who seemed to live in gratitude and humility. Amazing for such an accomplished individual.

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - BobK - 11-01-2018

Pre Giants were the Seals and a hero both Phogge and I had was Bob DiPietro
In 1955 as the story below attests Bob was leading the league in hitting when he broke his ankle.

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/26f5483c

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - CornFed - 11-01-2018

I lost touch with young Bob. I think he went to the minors and I vaguely recall he might have had an arm injury. He was one of those important people in one's life who, despite the brevity of our acquaintance, he influenced my perspectives meaningfully and permanently.

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - SteveAztec - 11-01-2018

I grew up a brobdingnagian Dodger fan in NorCal (and I still am a brobdingnagian Dodger fan)...But I will never forget going to Candlestick often and watching Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Jimmy Ray Hart...And more than anybody a player that fascinated me...Willie McCovey.

I have been a big McCovey fan since the first time I saw him person.

He was simply the most feared hitter I ever saw...a real good person and was the ultimate description of Class.

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - BobK - 11-02-2018

Ok the last two 4 decade players
Jerry Ruess
Rick Dempsey

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - Mick - 11-02-2018

(10-31-2018, 06:42 PM)pefloresjr Wrote: Sad day. Stretch was always so beloved. At Candlestick and PacBell, Mays was always the last introduced on important occasions, but the love for McCovey ran just a little deeper. McCovey was ours and the love seemed to be mutual. McCovey was always completely genuine and will truly be missed by Giants fans. Glad I got to see him give out the Willie Mac Award this year. The letter from Larry Baer to fans says that condolences can be sent to Forever44@sfgiants.com. Forever 44 indeed.

Pete F.

Completely agree. My friends and I were always excited to get a Willie McCovey trading card. Nice to get Mays, but that was our Dad's generation.

First game I ever saw was an 8-0 victory over the Pirates, 8/23/72. Stretch made some good plays at first base and hit a home run. Garry Maddox made a diving play in CF. Jim Barr threw a curve ball to Willie Stargell that was so slow and Stargell swung so hard that Stargell spun around twice and fell on his butt. The highlight of the day, to this 9 year old. Bobby bonds had two hits and stole a base. Game done in 2:12, 8,330 attended. Been a fan ever since.

(11-01-2018, 08:54 PM)SteveAztec Wrote: I grew up a of immense proportions Dodger fan in NorCal (and I still am a of immense proportions Dodger fan)...But I will never forget going to Candlestick often and watching Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, Jimmy Ray Hart...And more than anybody a player that fascinated me...Willie McCovey.

I have been a big McCovey fan since the first time I saw him person.

He was simply the most feared hitter I ever saw...a real good person and was the ultimate description of Class.

McCovey hit .543 lifetime against Drysdale. Could you imagine?

And could you imagine the Giants' everyday lineup in 1962, with HRs listed below

Pagan, 3, SS
Kuenn, 10, LF
Mays, 49, CF
Cepeda, 35, 1B
McCovey, 20, LF
Alou, 25, RF
Davenport, 14, 3B
Catchers Tom Haller and Ed Bailey hit 35 HRs,
Hiller, 3, 2B

That team hit 204 HRs, scored 878 runs. Matty Alou as PH hit about .300. Six guys in the starting lineup hit .292 or better. Could you imagine pitching against that lineup? Starters were Marichal, McCormick, Odell, Sanford and Pierce, going a collective 82-43. Gaylord Perry was 23 years old and went 3-1. Stu Miller, 19 saves. Don Larsen of NYY fame was on the team as was 20 year old Bob Garibaldi, fresh from SCU. Best defensive efficiency in the league (on defense, 71% of balls hit turned into outs, tops in the league).

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - BobK - 11-02-2018

But if only McCovey had hot it 2 feet higher.

Peanuts cartoon 1962

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - Mick - 11-02-2018

(11-02-2018, 02:31 PM)BobK Wrote: But if only McCovey had hot it 2 feet higher.

Peanuts cartoon 1962

By the way, the Giants are one of just two teams with four players at more than 500 HRs or more:

Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Mel Ott.

Other team is the Red Sox; Williams, Foxx, Ramirez, Ortiz

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - Phogge - 11-02-2018

Maybe six or seven feet higher.

Once shot an interview with Crete Boyer. He was sure that Casey would walk Mac. He was scared to death that Cepeda would hit a screamer to third. He remembered thinking thank God when Terry pitched to McCovey.

Pierce was on the shelf for about a month in the season. McCormick took his place. When he got back they basically went to a four man rotation like any SANE team. And as a SANE team they threw a lot of CC’s unlike the puzzies that pitch today.

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - BobK - 11-02-2018

Billy O’Dell does recently. What a great trade to get him

Ok 3 feet higher

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - BobK - 11-02-2018

Billy O’Dell died recently. What a great trade to get him

Ok 3 feet higher

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - Phogge - 11-02-2018

Three feet higher Richardson catches it. I was there Bobbbbbbbbbbbb. Working.

lex24 - lex24 - 11-03-2018

(11-02-2018, 02:31 PM)BobK Wrote: But if only McCovey had hot it 2 feet higher.

Peanuts cartoon 1962

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - BobK - 11-03-2018

9 feet higher Maris catches it
One foot higher Richardson doesn’t get his other hand up for the catch and it goes right thru his glove

So there lol

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - Phogge - 11-03-2018

Maris saved the day with his throw to Richardson. If Mays had been on first and Matty Alou hit the double Willie would have scored.

RE: Willie Mccovey RIP - BobK - 11-03-2018

56 years later and no doubt Mays would have scored

lex24 - lex24 - 11-04-2018

If the field isn’t soggy, Willies double goes into the corner and Matty scores. Course if my grandmother .....