The baseball world on Wednesday hailed the late Willie McCovey for being a Hall of Fame person as well as a Hall of Fame player. McCovey died earlier in the day at age 80, after years of suffering from multiple ailments.
A sample of the testimonials for McCovey:
PHOTOS: Notable sports deaths of 2018
Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins:
Today we lost another outstanding @baseballhall in Willie McCovey. He was great on the field & a true gentleman off the field. I had a lot of respect for Wllie as he was a dangerous hitter. He once hit a home run off of me in Candlestick that might still be flying. #Forever44 https://t.co/jXmDsdUc4V
— Fergie Jenkins (@31fergiejenkins) November 1, 2018
Hall of Famer pitcher Jim Palmer:
So sad to hear Willie McCovey has died. Gentle Giant literally and figuratively. Over 500 HR’s one of the greatest left handed sluggers. #RIPStretch @masnOrioles @Orioles @MLB @baseballhall
— Jim Palmer (@Jim22Palmer) November 1, 2018
Longtime Giants outfielder Hunter Pence:
Willie McCovey- the spirit of baseball lives in you. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/g7FxZYJXdy
— Hunter Pence (@hunterpence) November 1, 2018
Former Giants coach Tim Flannery, a former big league infielder:
I lost a hero tonight....RIP Stretch....thank you.
— Tim Flannery (@TimFlannery2) November 1, 2018
Giants pitcher Will Smith, the 2018 recipient of the annual "Willie Mac" Award given to the most inspirational Giants player:
Was honored to have been awarded the Willie Mac award from Willie McCovey himself. Something I will cherish forever. May he Rest In Peace. #ForeverGiant #GiantsLegend #HOF @ Georgia https://t.co/Yb2cIKDp4s
— Will Smith (@White_Willy13) November 1, 2018
Outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who played for the Giants in 2018:
I will cherish the time I spent with you. To talk to an all time great like Willie McCovey was a dream. May you rest in Peace 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/kTELZxYMij
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) November 1, 2018
Former Giants infielder Kevin Frandsen:
Absolutely crushed by this news! Being a Giant history is always around you, but with both Willies always around legends seemed to always be WITH you. Willie McCovey was a damn fine ball player I never saw. But what a man, thank you for treating me like I was something! #stretch https://t.co/QXzTMVhuDX
— Kevin Frandsen (@KevinFrandsen) November 1, 2018