Watching this tribute, I am reminded of two wonderful things. 1) Willie McCovey was a special kind of baseball legend and may be the most beloved San Francisco athlete of all time. 2) Mike Krukow is an absolute treasure. He is doing exactly what he was put on earth to do. We are beyond lucky to have him.
Mom just passed at 95. The only baseball player she ever talked about was Willie Mac. All of us would talk about this player, that one - but when mom joined the conversation, there was only one ball player worthy of discussion. Willie Mac. Thanks for the memories.
I saw Willie play a lot of times, although once I was a teen on a golf course playing with a Dodger fan cousin, listening to the Giants vs. Dodgers game on a transistor radio. McCovey couldn't play that day--an injury. Don Drysdale was pitching through the 7'th or 8th for the Dodgers. LA was ahead by two, but SF got two men on. McCovey was announced as a pinch hitter. Willie owned Drysdale, at that point hitting over .400 against him lifetime. I told my cousin, who was happy because LA was ahead, that McCovey was coming in to pinch hit. My cousin threw himself down and began punching the ground, screaming for manager Alston to take Drysdale out of the game. Sure enough, McCovey hit one over the fence and SF won the game. My cousin was perplexed with rage. I never had a better time as an SF fan.
I saw him towards the end of his career. The thing that seems to resonant with me is how despite his obstacles in life he still achieved great things and did it with a very low key and pleasant demeanor. It must have been tough for pitchers to face Mays/Mccovey back to back. Rip to a life well lived
I remember as if it were yesterday in 1973 when the Giants traded Willie to the Padres. My older brother was sitting on the end of his bed watching our black and white TV with tears streaming down his cheeks saddened at the thought of number 44 not being at first base. I was 10 at the time and my brother was 14. Our family has been devout Giants fans all our lives. Many great memories.
As a little kid, I was mesmerized by Willie McCovey. I'd mimic his closed stance, pretend that I could smack that ball, cool as a cucumber at the plate. A skinny little kid probably got a chuckle out of everyone. He was a true hero, who knew that kids looked up to him and he took that role seriously -- a wonderful player and even better human being -- though his baseball skills eventually eroded his human skills never did. I never met him but wish I did. THANK YOU MIKE KRUKOW. Like Willie, you are a legend and I admire you greatly.
I remember seeing Say Hey and Stretch as a kid at Shea. I was a Yankees fan but went to specifically see those two. If I sat on the first base/right field side, Willie Mac always looked HUGE with that #44, either at bat or playing first.
Was in Olympic Stadium in Montreal in 1978. Went to see Willie McCovey and the Giants. Big Mac did something rare for him -- he crushed a ball over the LEFT field fence for a home run. I can still see him circling the bases.
Much respect from a Dodger fan. Although I never got to watch him play (aside from highlights and looking at his stats), the name McCovey was one you bowed down to and respected. The history of the game is everything.
And that is the truth - Willie is a saint in heaven along with some of baseball's greats Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Ernie Banks and Lou Gehrig.
As a Dodger fan I can honestly say I not once had an ill thought directed at Willy McCovey . Every other Giant player I might have cursed at one time or another but , not him. I would just eventually force a grin and think "crap we will get him next time". That has to reflect what kind of player and ,I'm sure what kind of human being he really was. Not even Willy May's could bring about those kind of feelings in this baseball fans heart.
Yep. When they step away from the Giants’ broadcast booth, it’ll be like the dodgers when Vin Scully retired. Even considering the broadcasters the Giants have had…even Hank Greenwald, it’ll never be the same.
Can anyone identify the past Willie Mac winners in the background? I see Posey, Dave Dravecky, Nick Hundley, Shawn Dunston and Jack Clark. Does anyone recognize the remaining two?
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Watching this tribute, I am reminded of two wonderful things.
1) Willie McCovey was a special kind of baseball legend and may be the most beloved San Francisco athlete of all time.
2) Mike Krukow is an absolute treasure. He is doing exactly what he was put on earth to do. We are beyond lucky to have him.
Beyond lucky!!! Both are national treasures! Love my Giants!!! Our Giants!!
What a beautiful tribute to Stretch.
McCovey was my favorite player!! Then, now and always!! I’m glad that I saw him get inducted into Cooperstown!!
NOTHING written down.....right from the soul....fantastic.
Mom just passed at 95. The only baseball player she ever talked about was Willie Mac. All of us would talk about this player, that one - but when mom joined the conversation, there was only one ball player worthy of discussion. Willie Mac. Thanks for the memories.
I saw Willie play a lot of times, although once I was a teen on a golf course playing with a Dodger fan cousin, listening to the Giants vs. Dodgers game on a transistor radio. McCovey couldn't play that day--an injury. Don Drysdale was pitching through the 7'th or 8th for the Dodgers. LA was ahead by two, but SF got two men on. McCovey was announced as a pinch hitter. Willie owned Drysdale, at that point hitting over .400 against him lifetime. I told my cousin, who was happy because LA was ahead, that McCovey was coming in to pinch hit. My cousin threw himself down and began punching the ground, screaming for manager Alston to take Drysdale out of the game. Sure enough, McCovey hit one over the fence and SF won the game. My cousin was perplexed with rage. I never had a better time as an SF fan.
I saw him towards the end of his career. The thing that seems to resonant with me is how despite his obstacles in life he still achieved great things and did it with a very low key and pleasant demeanor. It must have been tough for pitchers to face Mays/Mccovey back to back. Rip to a life well lived
I remember as if it were yesterday in 1973 when the Giants traded Willie to the Padres. My older brother was sitting on the end of his bed watching our black and white TV with tears streaming down his cheeks saddened at the thought of number 44 not being at first base. I was 10 at the time and my brother was 14. Our family has been devout Giants fans all our lives. Many great memories.
Got to see him play against the Phillies a few time , tremendous player and person ,his swing was amazing
As a little kid, I was mesmerized by Willie McCovey. I'd mimic his closed stance, pretend that I could smack that ball, cool as a cucumber at the plate. A skinny little kid probably got a chuckle out of everyone. He was a true hero, who knew that kids looked up to him and he took that role seriously -- a wonderful player and even better human being -- though his baseball skills eventually eroded his human skills never did. I never met him but wish I did. THANK YOU MIKE KRUKOW. Like Willie, you are a legend and I admire you greatly.
I remember seeing Say Hey and Stretch as a kid at Shea. I was a Yankees fan but went to specifically see those two. If I sat on the first base/right field side, Willie Mac always looked HUGE with that #44, either at bat or playing first.
Was in Olympic Stadium in Montreal in 1978. Went to see Willie McCovey and the Giants. Big Mac did something rare for him -- he crushed a ball over the LEFT field fence for a home run. I can still see him circling the bases.
Thanks for doing this Mike...I want to be like Kruk
Jesus christ, this is so beautiful
Fantastic speechmike going to miss number 44
Willie Mac was part of a college report I did back in 1980 & I did well on it.
Much respect from a Dodger fan. Although I never got to watch him play (aside from highlights and looking at his stats), the name McCovey was one you bowed down to and respected. The history of the game is everything.
Thanks for that.
Cool tribute . ⚾️ rip willie
Great tribute, Mike. Thank you. RIP Willie.
#19 lol. Great story. Love Kruk.
Larger than life but humble as a saint.
And that is the truth - Willie is a saint in heaven along with some of baseball's greats Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Ernie Banks and Lou Gehrig.
Dravecky! 🤎🪂👍🏽💯
Kruk nailed it!
As a Dodger fan I can honestly say I not once had an ill thought directed at Willy McCovey . Every other Giant player I might have cursed at one time or another but , not him. I would just eventually force a grin and think "crap we will get him next time". That has to reflect what kind of player and ,I'm sure what kind of human being he really was. Not even Willy May's could bring about those kind of feelings in this baseball fans heart.
Love Mike Krukow my idol
to me kruk n kuip is baseball
Yep. When they step away from the Giants’ broadcast booth, it’ll be like the dodgers when Vin Scully retired. Even considering the broadcasters the Giants have had…even Hank Greenwald, it’ll never be the same.
Can anyone identify the past Willie Mac winners in the background?
I see Posey, Dave Dravecky, Nick Hundley, Shawn Dunston and Jack Clark. Does anyone recognize the remaining two?
Epic!
Go giants! Beat LA !
Krukow shouldn't aplogize for getting emotional
My name is covey I named after him him
GET 'EM 4's!!!
Who the fuck disliked this