Page "McCovey Cove" Paragraph 3

On game days, fans take to the water of McCovey Cove in boats and even in kayaks, often with fishing nets in the hope of collecting a home run ball.

This echoes what used to happen during McCovey's playing days.

Before Candlestick Park's upper deck was extended, the area behind right field was occupied by three small bleacher sections and a lot of open space.

Kids in those bleachers would gather behind the right field fence when " Stretch " would come to the plate.

There may also be a link to the fact that Willie McCovey was one of only a few that hit home runs over the scoreboard and into a public swimming pool at Montreal's Jarry Park ( Parc Jarry ), The Expos ' home from 1969 to 1976.

The fact that balls can be hit into a water basin over the right field wall in San Francisco is somewhat of a tribute / salute to Willie McCovey's legend when he visited Montreal.