MLB: Giants legend deceased at the age of 80

Willie McCovey died. The Hall-of-Famer, who spent 19 of his 22 years in the MLB with the San Francisco Giants, died on Wednesday at the age of 80.

As the Giants explained, McCovey died “peacefully” after struggling with ongoing health problems.

“San Francisco and the entire baseball society have lost a were gentleman and a legend. Our hearts are broken,” said Giants President and CEO Larry Baer in a statement. “Willie was a beloved figure during his active time and beyond. The many people he has touched will miss him very much.”

The flags in AT&T Park, the home of the Giants, were half-masted in honor of McCovey. McCovey played in the MLB from 1959 to 1980 and spent his entire career with the Giants except for a few side trips to the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, where he formed a feared 1-2 punch with Willie Mays.

McCovey hit 521 home runs and came in his career on a 147 OPS+. The bay along the tribune in the Right Field of AT&T Park is named after him – McCovey Cove.

McCovey also held the record for most left-handed home runs in the National League until 2001, before Barry Bonds broke it. The same man reacted to the death of the legend on Twitter: “I cry because I lost you even though you told me not to. Uncle Mac, thank you for your mentorship and unconditional love for me and my family. You’re sorely missed.”

This article was published without prior review by Major League Baseball.