McCovey Stretch Drive Bobblehead

Last year my favorite player from my youth, Willie McCovey passed away.  I don't recall ever addressing it in this blog, in all honesty it was a little hard to deal with when a hero of my youth passed away.  I think there were some thoughts of me approaching the half century mark coupled with some health issues that my doctor sprung on me that made me struggle a bit.

Lately my attitude has started to shift.  I have sought out some old articles about McCovey from his playing days, had some good discussions with my dad about some games we went to when I was a kid and spending more time celebrating his career and enjoying the memories.  I have also had some success on the health related front which may have helped a bit too.

I was watching a Giants game on mlb.tv a little while back and there was an ad for the Junior Giants fund.  It is a charity in the San Francisco area to help kids play baseball.  They were reaching the end of this year's Stretch Drive, a movement that McCovey helped start, to fund raise.  Based on your donation amount, you could qualify for a gift.  The combination of the good cause and the prize had me online quickly to make my donation.

A couple days back, my gift arrived and I am very happy to add this bobblehead to my McCovey collection:

Here is the front view of the bobblehead out of the box.  I don't have a ton of bobblehead as I don't have tons of display room but this McCovey has a spot right on my desk for now.

Here is a view of the back with his name and famous #44 across the back:

On one side of the box, there is some more info about the charity this supports.

I know my dad has made an annual donation to the Stretch Drive and I think I will start that up in honor and memory of my favorite player.  Gift or not it is a great cause in support of the legacy of a great man.