On October 25, 1973 — It’s all over for Willie McCovey and the San Francisco Giants. McCovey’s mighty bat will no longer terrorize Giants’ foes but will be still in action—for the San Diego Padres. The 35-year old McCovey, who has been bothered with arthritic knees the past couple of years, was traded to the Padres Thursday for left- handed pitcher Mike Caldwell. 24, a fastball specialist. The Giants also gave up Bernie Williams, a .313 hitter with their Phoenix farm club in the Pacific Coast League. McCovey, a 6-foot-4 slugger whose booming drives amazed fans because of their distance, began his National League career with San Francisco 14 years ago. The only time he was not in a Giants’ uniform was when he performed a brief stint with Tacoma in the PCL early in his career. “McCovey has given the Giants a great many years of service,” San Francisco Manager Charlie Fox said in Casa Grande, Ariz., where he* was playing in a golf tournament, “but there comes a time when you have to give way to the young people.” But the likable Willie doesn’t feel that his days are over. “I’m just 35 and I can still play three or four more years on the field,” McCovey said. “I feel in pretty good shape and stay in good shape.” Besides, he said, the warmer weather in San Diego will probably be better for his legs. And, he added, San Diego has promised him a hefty pay hike. “I’m over $100,000 but I’m not going to say how far,” he said.
