Via San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants legend and Hall of Famer Willie McCovey passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon at the age of 80 after losing his battle with ongoing health issues.
Following the announcement of his passing, one of the greatest Giants of all time received an outpouring of love from the MLB family on Twitter.
I HEAR YOU.
Mac, I am crying over losing you even when you told me not to. I remember asking you what I would do without all of you around. You told me when that day comes – and it will one day – to keep the tradition of Giants baseball living forever.
— Barry L Bonds (@BarryBonds) November 1, 2018
Rest peacefully my brother. #Forever44 #ForeverGiant pic.twitter.com/NO7ZCeWMpx
— Orlando Cepeda (@OrlandoCepeda30) November 1, 2018
I will cherish the time I spent with you. To talk to an all time great like Willie McCovey was a dream. May you rest in Peace ?? pic.twitter.com/kTELZxYMij
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) November 1, 2018
Willie McCovey- the spirit of baseball lives in you. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/g7FxZYJXdy
— Hunter Pence (@hunterpence) November 1, 2018
Was honored to have been awarded the Willie Mac award from Willie McCovey himself. Something I will cherish forever. May he Rest In Peace. #ForeverGiant #GiantsLegend #HOF @ Georgia https://t.co/Yb2cIKDp4s
— Will Smith (@White_Willy13) November 1, 2018
Cheers to one of the all time greats. Always nice seeing your face around the ballpark. Rest in peace, Stretch. pic.twitter.com/dGHZv2O9Jt
— Mark Melancon (@Mark_Melancon_) November 1, 2018
Today we lost a @sfgiants legend. Our hearts and prayers go out to WIllie McCovey’s family.
— Robb Nen (@robbnen31) November 1, 2018
Hoy perdimos una leyenda, uno de los más grandes, Willie McCovey. Mis pensamientos y oraciones están con la familia McCovey. | Today we lost a legend, one of the greats, Willie McCovey. My thoughts and prayers are with the McCovey Family. pic.twitter.com/hfrACqQu8B
— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) November 1, 2018
Wow my heart hurts so much and I’m so sad to hear one of the best players ever and one of the nicest humble human being I’ve ever met in my life has died!!?? SO SAD!!?Prayers to his family!! @MLB #RIPWILLIEMCCOVEY #Forever44 #SFGiants @SFGiants pic.twitter.com/PX0XsZ0Mly
— Bengie Molina (@BengieMolina1) November 1, 2018
We lost not only one of the great baseball players of all time, but Willie was respected by all who knew him. Willie was the most generous man you could ever meet..my heart goes out to Willie’s spouse Estella and his whole family..Willie McCovey #44
— Marty Lurie (@baseballmarty) November 1, 2018
How intimidating was the late, great Willie McCovey? Long before the arrival of Barry Bonds, it was McCovey who was the first man in history to get intentionally walked 40 times in a season (in 1979). Before that no NL hitter had ever even drawn 30 in a season! https://t.co/4YYjVe4siA
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) November 1, 2018
The Giants have announced that Willie McCovey passed away today. Not just a franchise legend, but a baseball legend. He always brought a big smile to the ballpark.
— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) November 1, 2018
.@ATTPark flags at half-staff after the passing of #SFGiants legend Willie McCovey. He was 80. https://t.co/cPkjyfhlJG #Forever44 pic.twitter.com/jXuiL3fkuu
— Kristofer Noceda (@krisnoceda) November 1, 2018
Getting to know Willie McCovey is not just a highlight of my career, but my life. When he would be taken to his car through the tunnel after games, fans who might have seen him play and those who surely didn’t seemed awed. They have to pay their respects. Even the young ones…
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) November 1, 2018
Absolutely crushed by this news! Being a Giant history is always around you, but with both Willies always around legends seemed to always be WITH you. Willie McCovey was a damn fine ball player I never saw. But what a man, thank you for treating me like I was something! #stretch https://t.co/QXzTMVhuDX
— Kevin Frandsen (@KevinFrandsen) November 1, 2018
RIP to the great Willie McCovey. It was a true pleasure to get to spend time and talk to one of the greatest to ever play the game. #Forever44
— Christian Arroyo (@arroyo_c) November 1, 2018
R.I.P. Willie McCovey. So intimidating at the plate, so kind and gentle off the field.
— Tim Kurkjian (@Kurkjian_ESPN) November 1, 2018
Giants announced that Willie McCovey passed away this afternoon. One of the all-time greats. He was still at the ballpark all the time this season despite health issues.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) November 1, 2018
#SFGiants…if you grew up in the Bay Area loving sports, WILLIE McCovey was one of our heroes. RIP Stretch.
— Gary Radnich (@GaryRadnich) November 1, 2018
Willie McCovey was my first sporting hero. Rest in peace, Stretch.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 1, 2018
Willie McCovey straddled my youth and my professional career. He was my favorite athlete, and was one of my main inspirations to become a sportswriter This interview here? My knees were knocking, but I cherish the photo with a great player and human being. RIP Willie Mac pic.twitter.com/NSR8L4VHuO
— Carl Steward (@stewardsfolly) November 1, 2018
I’m extremely sad to hear of the passing of my dear friend @SFGiants Legend Willie McCovey. I will always have fond memories of him. Our thoughts are with his family. #RIP My friend #Forever44 #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/IfNyEEszPW
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) November 1, 2018
Willie McCovey was my 1st #SFGiants’ hero growing up. I used to watch his every move from his smooth practice swings to his warm up infield throws between innings. He hit some legendary line drives at Candlestick. Crazy bat speed. a gentle giant and a true gentleman #Forever44
— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryknbr) November 1, 2018
Wonderful obituary, with a legendary line from Casey Stengel.
Still having trouble processing a world without Willie McCovey. #SFGiants #RIPWillieMcCovey https://t.co/3L2okQZ4C2
— Brian Murphy (@knbrmurph) November 1, 2018