San Francisco Giants first baseman Willie “Stretch” McCovey had an incredible career with the ball club. He played 22 seasons of professional baseball, was a six-time All-Star and the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1969. During his career, McCovey hit 521 home runs, 18 of which were grand slams, which is a National League record.
For the first time, his trophies, rings, and plaques will be offered at auction during Heritage’s Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction on August 21-22, 2021. The auction features around 210 lots from the Willie McCovey Collection as the centerpiece of the event.
Among them is the 1980 career achievements “44” ring presented to McCovey by his teammates when he retired. “Stretch” is stamped in the 14-karat gold ring, which also includes “1959-1980” for the years he played, along with his previously mentioned stats.
Highlights in the auction include accolades from when he was a Pacific Coast League All-Star and the Topps Rookie of the Year in 1959, the National League Home Run Champion in 1963, the Baseball Writers Association of America’s Slugger of the Year in 1968, and the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1969. It also includes items from when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986 and when he became a member of Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team in 1999.
“Willie McCovey was, quite simply, one of the greatest to ever play the game,” Chris Ivy, founder and president of Heritage Auctions’ Sports category, said. “It is an absolute privilege to work with his family to present his collectibles to fans from around the globe who will cherish them for decades to come.”
According to Estela, McCovey’s widow, he kept everything he ever won or was given. More of those items that’ll be in the auction include the 2012 San Francisco Giants World Series championship ring, the first baseman’s glove he used from 1975 until 1980, the regal “Babe Ruth Crown” he received in 1982, the battered batting helmet that survived three years, game-worn jerseys and caps, bats and ball signed by McCovey and his fellow Hall of Famers, and President Obama’s handwritten letter and signed presidential pardon following McCovey’s tax-evasion conviction.
“It’s hard for me to part with these things, but the memories are more important to me,” Estela said. “He never threw anything away – even used nails.” She laughs. “It took a while for me to organize everything, but thank God I loved doing it. This is for the fans. They have been so good to me. They write me, tell me stories about him. I know he was very much loved.”