Winter Auction 2016 Closing January 30th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
McCovey made his major-league debut on July 30, 1959 with a 4-for-4 performance that included 2 triples, 3 runs and 2 RBIs. The Giants won 9 of their next 11 games and McCovey hit lights-out for the rest of the season, racking up a blistering .354 average with 68 hits, 13 HRs, 32 runs and 38 RBIs—all in just 52 games. New York Times journalist John Drebinger declared, "It was Willie, called the Stretch because he towers above nearly everyone else, who burst out of virtually nowhere on July 30 and with his devastating bat breathed new life into the Giants." McCovey took Rookie of the Year honors and then worked as a car salesman during the off-season! This H&B 34.5", 31.3 oz. ash bat was wielded by Willie during his likewise brilliant 1959 season with the PCL's Phoenix Giants, just prior to being called up to the bigs. There, in 95 games, McCovey batted .372 with 29 HRs and 92 RBIs. The bat features a repaired handle crack; slight checking (grain swelling) on the right barrel; ball marks, stitch impressions and green bat rack marks; plus cleat impressions on the left barrel. McCovey's number "23" and nickname "Stretch" are notated on the knob. What's more, the barrel boasts McCovey's black-Sharpie "10" signature, "Best Wishes / Willie McCovey." LOA from PSA/DNA for GU 9 usage. LOA from JSA for signature.