LaMonte Wade Jr. is the 2021 Willie Mac Award winner.
The prestigious award, named after slugger Willie McCovey, recognizes individual achievement as well as competitive spirit and leadership. Players, coaches, and training staff have voted on it since 1980. The pregame pre-taped video featured former winners Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner. Mike Krukow, Dave Dravecky, J.T. Snow and Hunter Pence also participated in the presentation.
Mike Yastrzemski was recognized in 2020, and passed the baton to his outfield mate Wade Jr. McCovey’s daughter Allison handed Wade Jr. his plaque. As soon as it became clear Wade Jr. would be the recipient, fans cheered “Let’s Go Wade!” and clapped.
In his speech, Wade Jr. thanked his family, teammates, coaches and training staff after shaking hands with each presenting former winner. He also shouted out Giants fans, then watched a video compilation of his season — including videos of his parents reacting to his highlights.
Then he caught the ceremonial first pitch from his mom.
So much of this unforgettable season comes back to LaMonte Wade Jr.‘a late-inning performances. He’s engineered six game-tying or go-ahead hits in the eighth inning or later. He’s recorded an ungodly 1.409 OPS in 24 ninth-inning plate appearances.
There was the towering two-run homer in the Coliseum to beat the Athletics. The clutch single at Coors Field to put the Giants over the Rockies. Most recently: a walk-off single to give the Giants their 105th win of the season.
His clutch hitting has earned him several monikers. Late Night LaMonte. Late Game LaMonte. Late Inning LaMonte. Take your pick.
The outfielder is slashing .256/.331/.491 with 18 home runs in 2021. His previous career high was two.
After connecting with his upper-cut swing, Wade leans back and admires his deep shots. During home run trots, Wade Jr. often looks back at first base coach Antoan Richardson and then Ron Wotus as he heads home. Every time manager Gabe Kapler sees that, he says he gets goosebumps.
Wade Jr.’s contributions to the Giants have gone beyond the field, too. He’s an upbeat presence in the clubhouse, often the first on the field to stretch and take batting practice. The calm, poised hitter in the batter’s box is an even-keeled teammate out of it.
The 27-year-old came to San Francisco this offseason in the Shaun Anderson trade. His name will now be etched on a plaque at the base of Willie McCovey’s statue outside Oracle Park forever.