[kenyan_cheena]

THE ALABAMA TIMES

Wednesday 16 June 1959

YANKEES ROOKIE MCCOVEY HOMERS
IN FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE AT-BAT

Story by James Williamson

Mobile-born New York Yankees rookie Willie McCovey made his Major League debut yesterday and it was certainly one to remember, the 21 year-old hitting a two-out, two-run home run in his first at-bat in the 8th inning. McCovey's blast tied the scores at 6-6 and while the Yankees went on to lose 7-6 to the Red Sox in ten innings it was the talented rookie that everyone at Yankee Stadium was talking about. McCovey had been spoken of in glowing terms when signed during the off-season and after batting .300 with twelve homers and thirty RBI in sixty minor league appearances he was called up this past Sunday.

"I'm disappointed that we couldn't get the win," McCovey said. "That would have made it perfect but I have to say it was a real blast hitting that homer. Felt like I was dreaming when I rounded the bases, all those people in the crowd cheering."

In an exciting matchup Red Sox 3rd baseman Frank Malzone was named Player of the Game as he batted 4-for-5, smashing a two-run homer in the 1st. Hank Bauer (3-for-5, 2 R) and Andy Carey (3-for-5, 2 RBI) both excelled for the Yankees while starting pitcher Bobby Shantz took the loss after going 9.2 innings, giving up a career-high thirteen hits while throwing 134 pitches. Tom Brewer went eight innings for Boston but it was reliever Leo Kiely who recorded the win after 1.2 faultless innings, accounting for New York's final five batters on fifteen pitches.

There are many in the Yankees organisation who believe that McCovey has the potential to be a future MVP candidate. With that in mind it will be fascinating to follow his progress during the remainder of the season.