We performed a site update on April 16, 2013. Please let the admin know if you User_talk:Admin#APRIL_16.2C_2013 encounter any issues. All updates have been performed.
Wes Covington
From BR Bullpen
John Wesley Covington
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 205 lb.
- Debut April 19, 1956
- Final Game October 2, 1966
- Born March 27, 1932 in Laurinburg, NC USA
- Died July 4, 2011 in Edmonton, AB Canada
[edit] Biographical Information
Wes Covington was an above-average player who was in the major leagues from 1956 to 1966.
Signed by the Boston Braves in 1952, Covington missed the 1954 season due to military service, then made it to the bigs in 1956 with the Braves when they had moved to Milwaukee. He played on the Milwaukee teams that won the pennant in 1957 and 1958, winning the World Series in 1957. Although Covington appeared in less than 100 games each season in 1957 and 1958, he hit over 20 home runs each year. He was also 5th in the league in triples in 1957.
In 1961, he played for four teams: the Braves, White Sox, Athletics, and Phillies. He then stayed with the Phillies from 1962 to 1965, hitting .303 with 17 home runs in 1963. The Phillies were rebuilding at the time, and in 1964 missed winning the pennant by only one game after an infamous late-season collapse.
He finished out his career in 1966 playing a few games with the Cubs and Dodgers. His last major league appearance was in the 1966 World Series with the Dodgers.
The most similar player in terms of career numbers is Jerry Lynch, the player who became famous as a pinch-hitter in the latter part of his career.
After his playing career, Covington moved to Canada. He worked for nearly 20 years for the Edmonton Sun newspaper, and then for the Edmonton Trappers baseball team. In 2003, he returned to Milwaukee for the first time in nearly 40 years, according to an article at www.baseballsavvy.com.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1957 & 1958)
- Won a World Series with the Milwaukee Braves in 1957
