Baseball Legends: Willie McCovey (Giants 1959-1973, 1977-1980, Padres 1974-1976, A’s 1976)

He may not be the most famous Giant, but Willie McCovey deserves a great deal of consideration when talking about the greatest players in baseball history. Overshadowed throughout most of his career by the other Willie on his team, McCovey was a true team player and rose above any petty bickering or bitter jealousy that may have eaten away at a lesser man.

Baseball Legends: Gaylord Perry (Giants 1962-1971, Indians 1972-1975, Rangers 1975-1977, 1980, Padres 1978-1979, Yankees 1980, Braves 1981, Mariners 1982-1983, Royals 1983)

“He should be in the Hall of Fame with a tube of KY Jelly attached to his plaque.” ~ Gene Mauch

Bob Gibson will forever be remembered for his 1968 season. Nolan Ryan for his seven no-hitters and 5000 strikeouts. Don Larsen for his perfect game in the World Series. And Gaylord Perry for his spitball.

The stories about Perry’s doctored pitch abound, even from former teammates. Catcher Gene Tenace said, “I can remember a couple of occasions when I couldn’t throw the ball back to him because it was so greasy that it slipped out of my hands. I just walked out to the mound and flipped the ball back to him.” Despite the anecdotal evidence, he was not ejected from a game for doctoring the ball until 1982, near the end of his career. For that incident, he was suspended for ten games.

Baseball Legends: Warren Spahn (Braves 1942, 1946-1964, Mets 1965, Giants 1965)

“Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing.” ~ Warren Spahn

The winningest left-hander in big league history with 363 victories, Warren Spahn ranks sixth on the all-time wins list. Those ahead of him on the list–Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Pete Alexander, Christy Mathewson and Pud Galvin–all played prior to the live-ball era. Thirteen times in his 21-year career he won more than 20 games in a season.

Spahn’s baseball career did not start with distinction; he was demoted to the minor leagues by Boston Braves manager Casey Stengel after refusing to throw at a batter. After the 1942 season concluded, he enlisted in the United States Army. During his tenure in the military, Spahn was honored with the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for bravery. He was the only major leaguer who earned a battlefield commission during World War II.

Baseball Legends: Steve Carlton (Cardinals 1965-71, Phillies 1972-86, Giants 1986, White Sox 1986, Indians 1987, Twins 1987-88)

“Lefty was a craftsman, an artist. He was a perfectionist. He painted a ballgame. Stroke, stroke, stroke, and when he got through (pitching a game) it was a masterpiece.” – Richie Ashburn

Steve Carlton broke into the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. He saw action in the World Series in both 1967 ad 1968. In 1968 Carlton received his first of 10 All-Star selections. It was in the off season following that year that Steve started experimenting with the slider. The pitch would elevate him to another level. That next year his ERA went down by 0.82 and his strikeouts increased by 48. The highlight of the 1969 season was his 19 strikeout performance against the Mets. He won 17 games in 1969, then lost 19 in 1970, but turned around and won 20 in 1971. The end of his career with the Cardinals was clouded by his disagreements with management.

Baseball Legends: Gary Carter (Expos 1974-1984, 1992, Mets 1985-1989, Giants 1990, Dodgers 1991)

Gary Carter stands as one of the prime examples of what happens when you play in Canada: you are largely ignored. Carter’s best years came while wearing a Montreal uniform, as he spent his first eleven seasons there. However, he was overshadowed by Johnny Bench’s play in Cincinnati as the best catcher in the National League in the 1970s, and it was not until the 1980s that he began to receive the recognition he deserved.

After being selected as a reserve catcher for the All-Star team in 1975, 1979, and 1980, Carter received the fan vote to start 1981-1984 and 1986-1988. In 1981 and 1984 he was honored as the All-Star Game MVP. He was also named to the roster in 1985, but did not play that year.

Baseball Legends: Mel Ott (Giants 1926-1947 player, 1942-1948 manager)

Mel Ott was my grandfather’s favorite player. All other players were compared to him. My dad’s favorite player was Minnie Minoso. According to my grandfather Minnie was not good. My favorite player was Carlton Fisk. I used to sit at his house and listen to how Carlton was a horrible catcher. As far as my grandfather was concerned after 1947 there were no good ball players anymore.

Mel was one of those players that played (and managed) his entire career with one team. He played his entire 22 year career with the New York Giants. In those 22 years he hit .304 with 511 home runs and 1860 RBIs. He did play at the Polo Grounds though. Being a left handed batter he only had to hit the ball 258 feet to right field. Of his 511 home runs 323 of them came at home. He may have had a short porch to aim for in right, but center field was 505 feet away.

Baseball Legends: Juan Marichal (Giants 1960-1973, Red Sox 1974, Dodgers 1975)

I have heard the legend of Juan Marichal all my life. He played minor league ball in Michigan City, Indiana, for a local minor league team. I looked into his career because of that and found out how great it really was.

He won 243 games in his career posting a 2.89 ERA and striking out 2,303. He made his Major League debut on July 19, 1960 against the Phillies. Juan made his presence known right off the bat by pitching a one hit shutout striking out 12 in the process. Three years later on June 15, 1963 he threw his only no-hitter. Just under a month later on July 2, 1963 he matched up against Warren Spahn in a great pitchers duel. Both pitchers went the distance in a sixteen inning game. Willie Mays hit a home run off of Spahn to end the game 1-0. What a day it must have been to see two great pitchers duel for 16 innings.