President Obama pardons Giants legend McCovey for tax evasion

San Francisco Giants legend Willie McCovey was issued a formal pardon Tuesday by President Barack Obama for charges of tax evasion issued to the Hall of Famer in 1995.

"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 in a statement, according to The Associated Press. "He will be deeply missed and I wish him all the best in the future.''

McCovey was originally charged after he knowingly failed to report $70,000 in income made from autographs and appearances between 1988-1990.

He was later fined $5,000 in 1996 and given two years' probation for the failure to report the income.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986, McCovey spent 19 of his 22 big-league seasons with the Giants, slashing .274/.377/.524 in 2,256 games with San Francisco. He also had stints with the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, though his presence is greatest in the Bay Area, with fans unofficially labeling the body of water behind AT&T Park "McCovey Cove" in his honor.