One of the most intimidating power hitters of his era, Willie McCovey was called “the scariest hitter in baseball” by pitcher Bob Gibson.  McCovey was a left handed hitting First basemen who entered the big leagues right out of High School. McCovey played with the San Francisco Giants (1959-73), San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics (1974-76).

In 1977, McCovey returned to the Giants and became the active home run leader (465) in 1977. In June of that year, for the second time in his career, he hit two home runs in one inning — becoming the first player to do this. McCovey hit hi 500th home run at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta on June 30, 1978.

McCovey certainly was a scary power hitter, hitting 521 Home Runs in his career. He also drove in 1,555 runs, and had a .270 batting average in his career. McCovey was a six time All Star selection, a three time NL Home Run champion, and a two time NL RBI champion. McCovey brought home plenty of other awards durring his career, winning the 1969 NL MVP, becoming the 1959 NL Rookie of the year, won the All Star game MVP in 1969, became the NL Comeback Player of the Year in 1977, and also won the Hutch award in 1977.

McCovey’s number #44 was retired by the San Francisco Giants in 1975. The inlet of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field fence of AT&T Park is now called McCovey Cove in his honor. McCovey was deservingly inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986.