Saturday, March 9, 2024

1960S ALL-DECADE TEAM: N.L. FIRST BASEMAN WILLIE McCOVEY

Good day all!

On the blog today, my pick for the National league's first baseman of the 1960's, and I went with Hall of Fame slugger Willie McCovey:


McCovey, who did also see a significant amount of time over in the outfield between 1962 and 1964, put in just enough time at the first base position to get my pick for the decade honor.
All he did was lay down the foundation for a future Hall of Fame induction, leading the league in homers three times, runs batted in twice, slugging three twice, and also capping off the decade with an M.V.P. award in 1969.
He was so feared at the plate, that even in a line-up that featured other hitters like Willie Mays and Bobby Bonds, he was intentionally walked 45 times in 1969, setting the Major League record at the time (later obliterated by Barry Bonds decades later).
A Rookie of the Year in 1959, M.V.P. in 1969, and six-time all-star, "Stretch" was part of an incredible slugging trio during his early days in San Francisco, teaming up with two other future Hall of Famers, Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda.
By the time he retired in 1980, he crushed 521 home runs, collected over 2000 hits, drove in over 1500, and left his mark as one of the most feared sluggers of his generation.
In 1986, his first year of eligibility, he was voted into the Hall of Fame with 81.4% of the ballots cast.