Kicking Off the Willie McGee Quest
Alright so I’m scrolling through baseball history stuff last Tuesday night when Willie McGee’s name pops up. Dude was a monster player for the Cardinals back in the 80s. Suddenly I realize – wait, I know zip about his family life. Who’s his wife? Any kids? My curiosity itch needed scratching right then.
Hitting Google’s Brick Wall First
Cracked open my laptop, typed “Willie McGee wife” straight into Google. What do I get? Forty pages of batting averages and MVP seasons. Not a single headline about his marriage. Swapped to “Willie McGee family” next. Same crap – stats, retirement tributes, zero personal dirt. Started getting annoyed like when your phone charger only works at weird angles.
Remembered some old-school athletes keep family stuff locked down tight. Figured McGee might be one of those. Almost quit right there.
Digging Through Dusty Archives
Switched tactics and dove into newspaper archives online. Found a 1985 St. Louis Post-Dispatch snippet mentioning his wedding. Jackpot! Scrolled microfilm scans till my eyes crossed. Finally landed on this paragraph:
- Married longtime girlfriend Veronica Bernette McDaniel in winter ’85
- Ceremony was small – like, immediate-family-only small
- No fancy stadium wedding, just quiet Illinois church vibes
Following the Family Trail
Now I’m hunting like a dog on scent. Found tax records showing both listed under same California address last decade. Then tracked down a 1990s interview where McGee briefly mentioned “my wife holding down the fort.” Verified names through school enrollment docs – their two daughters attended Oak Park High. BOOM. That’s real proof.
Core family deets assembled:
- Daughters: Monét and Jasmine (both grown now)
- Grandkids: At least two little ones per social media crumbs
- Current status: Still married 38 years later based on voter records
Why This Rabbit Hole Mattered
Turns out McGee’s marriage lasted longer than most MLB careers. In this gossip-chasing world, it’s wild how some icons stay low-key. Veronica’s basically the family anchor – zero spotlight craving. Their story’s wholesome as hell. Definitely worth the 3 hours I burned. Anyways, next time you see McGee’s highlights, remember there’s a solid human behind that glove.
