Willie McCovey’s presence was one of a kind
A certain arrogance accompanied many of baseball’s most feared hitters over the years, the likes of Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Barry Bonds inviting controversy with a roguish persona. Willie McCovey was the gentleman superstar, often described as a man without enemies.
McCovey, who died at the age of 80 on Wednesday afternoon, was among the classiest athletes ever to grace the Bay Area. Humble and soft-spoken, always clearly grateful of the life he was able to live, he stepped to the plate and cast a giant shadow over the proceedings - particularly the opposing dugout. In the wake of his titanic, tape-measure shots, a number of pitchers figured the most clever strategy was to just deliver four balls and let him walk.