Honor buoys Hundley

Nick Hundley is considered a good teammate and clubhouse leader, and there can’t be enough of those on a team having a horrible season.

Friday night, Hundley received the Willie Mac Award as the most inspirational Giant in front of many past winners including Jack Clark, the first recipient, in 1980.

“We have a new person in the family this year,” Hall of Famer Willie McCovey told the AT&T Park crowd. “His name is Nick Hundley.”

Among other former winners in attendance: Dave Dravecky, Ellis Burks, Larry Herndon, Ryan Vogelsong and Mike Krukow, who was at the microphone. Plus, retiring Matt Cain, who received big cheers a night before making his final start.

“This is pretty overwhelming to be standing here with Giants legends,” Hundley said, “and to be mentioned in the same company with Willie McCovey and these guys up here, who I have tremendous respect for … it’s incredible.”

Hundley thanked his teammates, coaches, trainers — “everybody who has been grinding it out this year. The fans, too. We know it hasn’t been the best record-wise, but you guys have been staying with us the entire year.”

Noting the Giants flew his family in for the event, Hundley said they’ve “taken care of us better than any place I’ve ever been.” One of his former employers were the Padres, the team in the other dugout.

The award is voted on by players, coaches, trainers, clubbies, fans (on the Internet) and McCovey.

Hundley, 34, the first backup catcher to win the award, is hitting .243 with nine homers, 23 doubles and 34 RBIs in 100 games, including 64 starts.

He signed a one-year, $2 million contract in January and will be a free agent after the season. Briefly: Outfielder Austin Slater, who had been diagnosed with a sports hernia, underwent core muscle surgery and requires six to eight weeks to recover . ... Third-base coach Phil Nevin was linked by the MLB Network to the open manager’s job in Detroit, and manager Bruce Bochy said, “He’s got a great eye for the game. He sees it like a manager.”