1989 San Francisco Giants National League Championship Ring Presented to Willie McCovey from The Willie McCovey Collection....

Description

1989 San Francisco Giants National League Championship Ring Presented to Willie McCovey from The Willie McCovey Collection. This October showdown between the Giants and the Oakland A's began as the "Battle of the Bay" but was immortalized as the "Earthquake Series" when a massive seismic jolt struck moments before the start of Game Three. The American Leaguers would ultimately sweep in four games, leaving the Giants with rings like the one offered here, issued to Hall of Fame slugger Willie McCovey.

Ring face boldly reports, "Giants, National League Champions" atop a circular design composed of genuine diamonds. Left shank announces "McCovey" and team logo along with the results of the National League Championship Series. Right shank heralds "1989" along with the World Series logo. Interior band is stamped "LGB 10K." Measures to a size of eleven and a quarter (11.25) and weighs forty-one grams (41 g.). Fine condition. Letter of provenance from Willie McCovey's widow.

More Information: The Willie McCovey Collection

He was called "the scariest hitter in baseball" by Bob Gibson (the game’s scariest pitcher), leading the National League in intentional walks four times, and twice claiming two-thirds of the National League Triple Crown. After twenty-two seasons in the Majors—nineteen in San Francisco--McCovey retired second only to the great Babe Ruth in left-handed homers (521). He’d enter the Hall of Fame on his first ballot, only the sixteenth player to enjoy such an expeditious Cooperstown induction. Though McCovey spent much of his career haunted by his 1962 World Series-ending liner—a ball that almost certainly would have provided his Giants a walk-off victory had it eluded Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson’s grasp—he remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history. Long homers to right field—the kind which Stretch supplied in droves—now land in a cove named for McCovey at the Giants’ home ballpark.

The pages that follow contain the most impressive and comprehensive assembly of McCovey memorabilia that exists, consigned to auction by his widow, who will provide a letter of provenance for each lot. Highlights include his 1969 National League MVP Award, his 1982 "Babe Ruth Crown," his 1986 Hall of Fame induction ring and plaque, and his better-late-than-never World Championship ring for his front office contributions to the winning cause of the 2014 San Francisco Giants.