If you never saw Willie McGee then you missed one of the most unique and gifted players of the 1980s. McGee was a switch-hitting outfielder with blazing speed and bug eyes.
He had a painful walk but few could run as fast around the bases.
McGee had a size 28 waist but he could hit the ball to the deep parts of the ballpark.
He was a rookie in 1982 but he played like a veteran.
Here’s a catch McGee made in Game Three of the 1982 World Series, robbing Gorman Thomas of the Brewers of a home run. It was only one of the amazing plays “ET” Willie McGee made in that game and the Fall Classic, which St. Louis won in seven thrilling games.
McGee played 18 seasons in the major leagues, 13 of them with the Cardinals, including the final four when he came back to St. Louis where he was loved.
