On Tuesday, President Obama commuted the sentences of 209 people, the most notable of which was undoubtedly Chelsea Manning. In addition to that, he pardoned 64 other people for past offenses. One of those 64 happened to be former San Francisco Giants legend/Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey.
McCovey, along with fellow Hall of Famer Duke Snider, pleaded guilty to evading his taxes back in 1995 after failing to report nearly $70,000 in income. Both men were convicted of failing to disclose the money they got for card/memorabilia shows from 1988 to 1990. For their transgressions they each got two years probation and a $5,000 fine. Snider died in 2011.
At the time, McCovey said the income discrepancies weren't intentional. "The only thing I'd like to say is, well, I've always tried to do the right things," he said to a judge during his 1996 sentencing hearing. "I have never willingly tried to cheat the government, and it's one of those things that was overlooked at the time and I do accept responsibility for it."
On Tuesday he thanked the man who struck the sentence from his record. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to President Obama not only for this kind gesture on my behalf, but also for his tireless service to all Americans," McCovey said, according to ESPN. "He will be deeply missed and I wish him all the best in the future."
McCovey is currently a senior adviser for the Giants. He turned 79 last week.
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