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Post by ferris1248 on Jun 19, 2024 6:07:51 GMT -5
"The center fielder was baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility, and in 1999 followed only Babe Ruth on The Sporting News’ list of the game’s top stars. The Giants retired his uniform number, 24, and set their AT&T Park in San Francisco on Willie Mays Plaza." "Over 23 major league seasons, virtually all with the New York/San Francisco Giants but also including one in the Negro Leagues, Mays batted .301, hit 660 home runs, totaled 3,293 hits, scored more than 2,000 runs and won 12 Gold Glove. He was Rookie of the Year in 1951, twice was named the Most Valuable Player and finished in the top 10 for the MVP 10 other times. His lightning sprint and over-the-shoulder grab of an apparent extra base hit in the 1954 World Series remains the most celebrated defensive play in baseball history." "Between 1954 and 1966, Mays drove in 100 or more runs 10 times, scored 100 or more 12 times, hit 40 or more homers six times, more than 50 homers twice and led the league in stolen bases four times. His numbers might have been bigger. He missed most of 1952 and all of 1953 because of military service, quite possibly costing him the chance to overtake Ruth’s career home run record of 714, an honor that first went to Henry Aaron; then Mays’ godson, Barry Bonds. He likely would have won more Gold Gloves if the award had been established before 1956. He insisted he would have led the league in steals more often had he tried." www.sfgate.com/sports/article/willie-mays-giants-electrifying-say-hey-19521469.php
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Post by conchydong on Jun 19, 2024 6:17:04 GMT -5
Probably the greatest all around baseball player ever. RIP Mr. Mays
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Post by slough on Jun 19, 2024 6:29:49 GMT -5
Say Hey, Rest in peace.
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Post by cadman on Jun 19, 2024 6:46:55 GMT -5
RIP Willie Mays
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Post by madm002 on Jun 19, 2024 7:00:13 GMT -5
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Post by swampdog on Jun 19, 2024 7:02:50 GMT -5
Willie Mays was my baseball idol growing up. I practiced my fielding just like him, even down to the basket catch. I think he’s probably the best all around player that ever played baseball. In the game he hit four homer’s he just missed the fifth one. Back when my son was into baseball cards, we went to a card show where Willie was the star attraction. We stood in line and when we got to Mr. Mays, he graciously signed a picture of his greatest catch and then shook hands with my son. My son said he had the biggest hands he’s ever seen. Other players would often get Willie to break in their new gloves as Willie was so strong and his hands so big and powerful. May he rest in peace.
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Post by olmucky on Jun 19, 2024 9:43:20 GMT -5
Probably the greatest all around baseball player ever. RIP Mr. Mays Yup. Man he could just flat out play.
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Post by tonyroma on Jun 19, 2024 9:50:20 GMT -5
Just heard an interesting stat on Willie. He finished his career with 660 home runs. At the peak of his playing career he stopped playing and did 2 years of military service. If not for those 2 years there was a good chance Willie would have broke Babe Ruth’s HR record before Hammerin Hank. Also one of only 3 players to have 600 HR’s and 300 stolen bases. The other 2 are Arod and Barry Bonds, both on the juice.
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Post by Mango Man on Jun 19, 2024 11:58:18 GMT -5
Saw this earlier (Net). Makes me feel like another small part of this earth ia gone.
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Post by nuevowavo on Jun 19, 2024 13:51:30 GMT -5
My Willie story:
A group of us from the bond business were on our way back to NYC from Lake Tahoe, flying out of Reno. Had to have been around 1990. The plane wasn't nearly full (remember those days?) and we had the back of the plane to ourselves. After the seat belt sign was turned off, Willie himself comes back from the front of the plane, sits down in a row near us, says hi to us, and starts looking at some paperwork. We chatted for a bit, and he was very gracious, joking around with us as he explained that he came back to the coach section because he had more room to spread out his papers.
As the meal service began, one of the stewardesses came back and asked, "Is there anything we can get for you, Mr. Mays?" Willie responded, "You know, I'd like some of that shrimp that you have up in 1st class".
My buddy Leo leans over and cracks "Hey Willie, one good catch and you get shrimp?"
Willie loved it. Very nice guy, sorry to hear of his passing.
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Post by gardawg on Jun 19, 2024 16:16:51 GMT -5
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