Starting With A Bang

I remember this event from 61 years ago on this date.  Being a San Francisco Giants and Willie Mays fan I followed the team closely and I learned about it the next day when the New York papers reported on the explosive debut of rookie Willie McCovey.  It was the combination of going 4-4 with two triples that emblazoned in my memory.  And I've never forgot the opposing starting pitcher was Hall of Famer Robin Roberts.

Today In 1959: San Francisco Giants rookie Willie McCovey makes a sensational major league debut, going 4-for-4 with 2 triples vs. Philadelphia #Phillies pitcher Robin Roberts! #MLB #Baseball #History #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/BXyCQVkBVP

— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) July 30, 2020

Willie only played 52 games in 1959 but hitting .354 with power was enough for him to win Rookie of the Year honors.

McCovey ended up in Cooperstown but the start of his career began oddly for an eventual Hall of Famer.  The Giants already had Orlando Cepeda who could play first base.  They could play Cepeda or McCovey in the outfield but neither was particularly good.  In addition, the rap on McCovey, a left handed batter, was he couldn't hit left handed pitching.  The result is Willie was platooned during the 1960-62 and 1964 seasons, rarely facing left handers.  In 1965 the Giants came to their senses, playing him everday, and for the next six seasons he was one of the top sluggers in the National League.