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When you think of the Giants, the player most synonymous with that name today is Willie McCovey. Number 44 is putting on a San Francisco uniform for the 17th time in his 24-year career. Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda, and Whitey Lackman were all big names in baseball when

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McCovey attended his first Giants training camp in 1958. I was pretty excited being down here because, uh, that was my first big league camp 20 years ago with the Giants, and, uh. I was just all excited being around all these major leaguers that all I'd ever

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done was read about and it was, you know, quite a thrill for me just to be here. Some people consider what they do a job. Others like Willie McCovey reflect upon their chosen profession as a love. Well, I'm one of those fortunate few, I guess, who

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at the age of about 6 or 7, knew what he wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be a Major League ballplayer and that's all I've ever wanted to do. So I feel fortunate that I've been able to do the only thing I've ever wanted

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to do for 20 years. And uh, I, I love the game, you know, and when you have a love for something, you don't want to just, uh, walk away from it. I mean, baseball has been my whole life.

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The question most asked of Willie McCovey is when will he retire? Mac's answer: Why should I quit something I still love? That's number 44, the giant and the man. I'm Ron Barr, News Center 4 Sports.