I have no memories of ever seeing Willie Mays playing for the San Francisco Giants.
In those early years of going to the ballpark for Sunday doubleheaders and Bat Day, my focus was more on whatever food Mom and Dad bought for us.
Later on, when I was maybe 10 or 11 years old, I began to pay attention more to the games, especially on TV when the Giants were lucky enough to be on in the days before cable TV. Not all games were televised.
And I do remember seeing Willie McCovey.
Even on TV, you could see how big this guy was, the way he towered over the umpire and catcher at the plate.
I remember learning about his 500th home run while we were in the Philippines in 1978.
In 1980, the Giants had a ‘good student’ program that allowed students with good grades to pick pairs tickets to maybe three home games. I got to pick that year, and I chose July 3rd as one of my games.
Later that year, Willie McCovey announced his retirement, with his last home game as… July 3rd.
I thought it was pretty cool that I happened to have tickets to that game.
I asked my Grandpa to go to the game with me.
Grandpa loved sports, especially Giants baseball and 49ers football. During either season, up until he passed away, you could find him holding a small pocket transistor radio, tuned in to whichever radio station was broadcasting the game. If the game was on TV, he’d be parked in his chair at his house or even ours. And if things were getting exciting, his foot would begin to stretch out as his leg moved.
Anyways, I can’t recall who dropped us off at the game, but I remember that I was carrying a bag of cheese-filled Pillsbury biscuits that I had made for the game. Grandpa did eat a couple.
The seats were in the upper deck, and I was a little mad at myself that I had dragged Grandpa to the game where he had to climb up the rows to our seats. But I don’t think he complained about it.
The rest of the day is lost to memory. I had to look up the details of the game, including who they were playing (the Reds), who pitched (Bob Knepper) and who won the game (Giants, 4-3, Greg Minton got the save).
I didn’t think it was such a big deal about bringing Grandpa, until I recently told the story to my cousin Rich, and he was impressed that a 13-year old kid would think of taking his Grandpa to such a special game.
At that point in time, Grandpa was the only one in the family that had gone to a Giants World Series game, in 1962. I’m not sure which game he went to, so I’m not sure if he saw McCovey line out to Bobby Richardson to end the series.
I just figured that Grandpa should see McCovey’s last home game, since he’d seen him throughout most, if not all, of his career.
I recall hearing the interview with McCovey when he announced his retirement on KNBR, and he said “It’s not a sad day.”
But today is.
Rest in peace, Stretch. Thanks for everything you’ve done.
