Willie McCovey played 19 seasons for the Giants and his last season in 1980 was also the first season the award was given.
Willie Mac Award winners have rarely been the best players on the team. Pitcher Mike Krukow and catcher Bengi Molina have each won the award twice, but neither put up the numbers to compare with the best players since 1980.
Some winners, such as pitcher Dave Dravecky, didn’t pitch enough to have the numbers on the field. However, the very essence of this award is to honor the players that inspire the other 24 to play at a higher level.