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San Francisco Giants legend Willie McCovey hospitalized

By Ed Carroll

Apr 6, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Hall of Fame outfielder Willie McCovey waves to the crowd during the MVP ceremonies before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Hall of Fame outfielder Willie McCovey waves to the crowd during the MVP ceremonies before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baseball Hall of Famer and San Francisco Giants legend Willie McCovey has reportedly been hospitalized to treat a serious infection, the Giants confirmed prior to Friday’s game.

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McCovey, 76, spent 19 of his 22 Major League seasons with the Giants, and has long been a fixture both at Giants home games and is known to at least watch every game by the team on television, and the Giants have a yearly award, named the “Willie Mac Award,” in McCovey’s honor.

“[McCovey] is being treated at a local hospital and his recovery is progressing every day,” read a statement released by the team. “The Giants remain in close contact with Willie and his family and urge all fans to keep Willie in their thoughts as he recovers.”

McCovey has had knee and back problems in the past few years, and has used the Willie Mac Award ceremony as incentive to complete rehab so he can attend the event in the past, most notably in 2010 after a spinal surgery. The award honors a Giants player with “competitive spirit, ability and leadership,” and its 2013 winner was outfielder Hunter Pence. The 2014 winner is scheduled to be recognized on Friday at AT&T Park.

McCovey’s playing career ended in 1980, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986. He hit 521 home runs in his career, 469 of them were with the Giants, and most were while McCovey was next to another baseball legend, Willie Mays, in the lineup.

The Giants have said fans can send get well wishes to McCovey at williemac@sfgiants.com or via snail mail letters to Willie McCovey c/o San Francisco Giants, San Francisco CA 94107.

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