Willie McCovey was one of 273 people to be pardoned or have their sentences commuted by Barack Obama on Tuesday.

"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. "He will be deeply missed and I wish him all the best in the future."

McCovey pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 1995 and received two years probation and a $5,000 fine. The charge stemmed from unreported income received from memorabilia shows.

"The only thing I'd like to say is, well, I've always tried to do the right things," McCovey told a federal judge at his sentencing hearing in 1996. "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."

McCovey, now a senior adviser for the San Francisco Giants, turned 79 on Jan. 10.