1959 HEADLINE: Willie McCovey Launches 1st Major League Home Run!!
On this day in 1959 Willie McCovey hit the first home run of his major league career.
Just 3 days after making his big league debut, McCovey made his first mark with the Giants. And nobody knew that 520 more bombs would follow over the next 22 seasons.
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary Mr. McCovey!!!
Willie McCovey 2014 Topps Archives – Base
Today marks the anniversary of Willie McCovey’s debut in the major leagues. That event occurred in 1959, 55 years ago!
So, why not feature another sweet card of ‘Stretch’ on this special day?
The card below is from this year’s Topps Archives set. The card design that McCovey is featured in is from the 1989 Topps flagship set.
Have a look:
Thus far, this is my favorite card from the 1989 Topps portion of the Archives release. Many feature non-action, close-up images. While this one does not offer action, it does give us a sense of the size and strength of McCovey as not too many skinny shortstops or second baseman can walk around the field with three pieces of fresh lumber on their shoulders…
I like it!
1959 HEADLINE: Willie McCovey Makes His Debut With The Giants
On this day in 1959, Willie McCovey made his major league debut with the San Francisco Giants in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
And I have to say that McCovey did pretty well in his debut – he went 4-for-4 while collecting 2 triples and 2 singles. Most importantly, the Giants beat the Pirates by a score of 7-2.
Back in ’59, who would have thought that ‘Stretch’ would go on to be a Hall of Famer with more than 500 home runs and 1,500 RBI on his resume.
Congratulations on a fantastic debut – and Happy Anniversary, Mr. McCovey!!!
Baseball Card Show Purchase #2 – Willie McCovey 2001 Fleer Greats
I’ve always been a sucker for the ‘Fleer Greats’ set. If I run into one that I don’t already have, I am pretty much guaranteed that I will be buying it.
Especially when the card is in a ‘Dime Bin’.
This time around, while sifting through modern cards, I found a card of Willie McCovey from the 2001 Fleer Greats set.
Have a look:
Lovin’ It!! I really like how the player’s image really stands out on these cards. And the bat and ball logo in the lower-left corner has always been a favorite of mine.
Give me a few hours – I nabbed another card from this set of one of my favorite hitters. It’s a doozie!
1980 HEADLINE: Willie McCovey Homers For The Last Time Of His Major League Career
On this day in 1980, slugger Willie McCovey hit the final home run of his amazing career. Spanning 22 years, McCovey blasted 521 round-trippers during his playing days. His 521 ranks on the all-time list at 18th place in major league history.
The shot, a blast off of Expos’ hurler Scott Sanderson, came in the 4th inning of the ballgame and was the difference in the Giant’s 3-2 win that day.
Happy Anniversary Mr. McCovey!!
2014 Topps Series 1 “Topps All Rookie Cup Team” – Willie McCovey
Topps’ All-Rookie Team means a lot of different things to a lot of different collectors. But, one thing is for certain – If your card is tagged with the All-Rookie Team logo, you did something during your first season in the big leagues to make yourself stand out from the rest.
And for that reason alone, I can totally support a set of cards that picks ‘The Best Of The Best’ from these teams.
In 2014, Topps issued a subset in their Series 1 release that took one player at each position, naming them to the ‘Topps All Rookie Cup Team’.
Representing the catcher is Willie McCovey:
Willie McCovey’s major league debut in 1959 was fantastic. His numbers in 54 games played was enough to draw the attention of major league baseball as he was awarded with the Rookie Of The Year Award.
His numbers in 1959: .354 batting average, .429 on-base percentage, 68 hits in 192 at-bats, 9 doubles, 5 triples, 13 home runs, 32 runs scored, 38 RBI, and just 35 strikeouts.
Not bad for a 21-year old kid.
Willie McCovey’s Classic & Highly Sought After 1960 Topps Rookie Card
I love vintage baseball cards. I appreciate vintage baseball cards.
I just wish that this was a better example of a vintage baseball card that I like…
And while I would never say ‘No’ to adding a rookie card of Mr. McCovey into my collection, it would definitely not qualify as one of the better looking cards from the 60’s in my collection.
It’s not his fault though… Topps just didn’t provide us with the best design or quality – that’s all.
The picture was obviously taken during Spring Training, and those empty bleachers don’t help the background. As for the Green and Yellow that overwhelm the right-side of the card, it is just a bit too bold and loud for me. The All-Star trophy helps calm it down – but not enough to win this collector over…
Still, when talking about the best rookie cards from the early 196o’s, Willie McCovey’s card from the ’61 Topps set is a ‘Must Have’.
I know that I wish I did…
Willie McCovey And His Hall Of Fame Plaque
The plaque reads:
“Top left handed home run hitter in NL history with 521. Second only to Lou Gehrig with 18 Grand Slams, Led NL in homers three times and RBI twice. NL 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.”
Willie McCovey’s Classic Signature
Not very artsy, but there is a solid flow to it, Willie McCovey offers us up a very solid signature.
And while not the most clear, especially his last name, the auto is still unmistakable.
And I am really digging the ‘Mc’ as the centerpiece!!!
I am so happy to have one of these in my collection!!!
Willie McCovey Has Statues & Bodies Of Water That Bear His Name!!!
Everyone in baseball knows about ‘McCovey Cove’. Heck, it’s the main reason that I want to go to San Francisco and take in a game.
Named, for Willie McCovey, I wonder how many home runs ‘Stretch’ would have hit had he played there…
One of the most unique and incredible scenes in all of baseball:
And then there is the statue of McCovey that is proudly on display for any and all visitors to the SF area to visit.
Easily one of the most picturesque statues if all of baseball, the statue is flanked by the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.
And the view is incredible!!!
Truly amazing.
I’ve got to get there!!!
