Giants Hall of Famer Willie McCovey dies

Baseball Hall of Famer Willie McCovey died Wednesday at the age of 80. The San Francisco Giants announced McCovey’s death, saying the fearsome hitter, nicknamed “Stretch” for his 6-foot-4 frame and long arms, passed peacefully “after losing his battle with ongoing health issues.” McCovey, a former first baseman and left fielder, spent nearly his entire career with the Giants. He also played for the San Diego Padres and the Oakland A’s. McCovey was a career .270 hitter with 521 home runs and 1,555 RBIs over 22 big league seasons. He retired in 1980 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame six years later.

McCovey is survived by his wife, Estela, whom he married in August, and his daughter from his first marriage, Allison, and her three children.