What is the Willie Mac Award? Matt Chapman takes home the coveted award

SAN FRANCISCO – Matt Chapman has been named the 2024 Willie Mac Award winner in his first year with the Giants.

Voted by players, coaches, trainers and fans, the Willie Mac is the most coveted team award presented by the Giants each year. Previous winners include Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Brandon Crawford, JT Snow, Mike Krukow and Matt Cain.

The award, named after Willie McCovey, was established in 1980, marking the 44th anniversary of the Most Inspirational Giant award.

“It means a lot,” Chapman told reporters before the game. “I think the more I learn about it, the more I realize the significance of this award and how important it is to this organization. The fact that people I care about voted on this and that they care about me like that is pretty cool.”

The 31-year-old Chapman has hit 27 homers with three games remaining and ranks in the top 10 in the National League in wins above replacement. He played 151 games almost every night and earned a six-year, $151 million contract extension with his consistent two-way performance. He leads the Giants in hits, doubles, homers, RBI, walks, runs, extra bases, total bases and games played.

Chapman, one of the game's best defenders, could well win his fifth career Gold Glove this season.

Chapman joins current Giants Thairo Estrada (2023), Wilmer Flores (2022), LaMonte Wade Jr. (2021) and Mike Yastrzesmki (2020) in the Willie Mac club. Yastrzemski and Wade stood on the field at the pregame ceremony, joining Snow, Marvin Bernard, Dave Dravecky and other former winners as McCovey's family presented Chapman with the plaque.

“I know this season didn't end the way we wanted, but we're building here and we're going to finish strong,” Chapman said after accepting the award. “And next year we will start something and not stop.”

This month was particularly eventful for Chapman. He's on a hot streak after hitting six homers in 17 games, slowly breaking the franchise's 20-year losing streak with a 30-homer season. The Giants played their best ball, albeit after being eliminated from the postseason. He and his wife had their first child and signed the richest deal the Giants have made since Posey's contract extension in 2013.

“This is the culmination of a great month,” Chapman said. “Of course it would be better if we went to the playoffs – that is my goal and I will work this offseason to make it happen next year. But aside from not making the playoffs, it was a great month with my daughter, the contract and this award. I feel blessed.”