One of my earliest, and perhaps first sports hero. Perhaps the first real 5-tool threat.
Got to see him play during his final season when he came back to New York to play for the Mets against a Padres team that featured a rookie named Dave Winfield.
In 1954, Mays led the league with a .345 batting average and 12 triples and smashed 41 homers while driving in 110 runs.
But what’s perhaps most extraordinary about that 1954 season was prior to it, he did not play baseball. Mays spent most of 1952 and all of 1953 in the Army.
Willie is the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. He was a 6 tool player as his instincts on a baseball field were beyond compare. He would have hit close to 800 home runs in most ball parks.
I saw him score from first base on a single more than once. He would have stolen many more bases but in those days you didn't steal bases to break a record-only to win a game.
Say hey is now batting leadoff in the AllStar game somewhere in a cornfield!
Giants play the Cardinals at 4:15 West Coast time from Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama where Willie played for the Black Barons. Was already being presented as a tribute to the Negro Leagues, now it will be a little bittersweet but still memorable.
They had a blip on the news about him and he's was saying how he purposefully made sure his hat would fall off when he chased a ball because that's what the fans like.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Roarshock
Rest in peace!
Rest in peace!
Willie Mays was larger than life. Larger than baseball.
"Say, Hey!"
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
"Say Hey" Indeed. RIP to a le
"Say Hey" Indeed. RIP to a legend, perhaps the greatest ballplayer of all times.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
One of my earliest, and
One of my earliest, and perhaps first sports hero. Perhaps the first real 5-tool threat.
Got to see him play during his final season when he came back to New York to play for the Mets against a Padres team that featured a rookie named Dave Winfield.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lord Kalvert
The Greatest. Got to see him
The Greatest. Got to see him play many times at Candlestick Park in the 60's
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
I could write for an hour
I could write for an hour about the immensity of Willie Mays, but for now I'll just say this, which on this particular site should suffice...
Being in a stadium watching Willie Mays play baseball was like being in a venue listening to Jerry Garcia play guitar on a very good night.
He was more than just the best.
He was perfect.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Oh, and because it's me, and
Oh, because it's me, and as always for the sake of accuracy...
>>>
perhapssimply the greatest ballplayer of all times<<<Corrected that for you Woz.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
In 1954, Mays led the league
In 1954, Mays led the league with a .345 batting average and 12 triples and smashed 41 homers while driving in 110 runs.
But what’s perhaps most extraordinary about that 1954 season was prior to it, he did not play baseball. Mays spent most of 1952 and all of 1953 in the Army.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: krab
Would have well over 700
Would have well over 700 homers if he had not played his home games in Candelstick Park
Only player with 600 homers & 300 steals. Baseball puts those 2 juicers Bonds & Rodiriguez on the list, not me.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Andy
RIP Willie. In a league of
RIP Willie. In a league of your own.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: eyes>too
Willie is the GREATEST OF ALL
Willie is the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. He was a 6 tool player as his instincts on a baseball field were beyond compare. He would have hit close to 800 home runs in most ball parks.
I saw him score from first base on a single more than once. He would have stolen many more bases but in those days you didn't steal bases to break a record-only to win a game.
Say hey is now batting leadoff in the AllStar game somewhere in a cornfield!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
Giants play the Cardinals at
Giants play the Cardinals at 4:15 West Coast time from Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama where Willie played for the Black Barons. Was already being presented as a tribute to the Negro Leagues, now it will be a little bittersweet but still memorable.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Zzzzzz
They had a blip on the news
They had a blip on the news about him and he's was saying how he purposefully made sure his hat would fall off when he chased a ball because that's what the fans like.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
The Giants have opened Oracle
The Giants have opened Oracle Park for any San Francisco fans that want to watch the game on their big screen:
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/willie-mays-de...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: dimethyllovebeam
No...
No...
sports doctors/ specialized physical therapists
specialized hot tubs/ ice baths
sports nutritionists / GNC stores / optimized diets
sports weight trainers
ROIDS
megs-agents fighting for multi - kajillion dollar contracts
respect for a white player, at least, starting out
i only remember seeing him play on tv a bit, i was 8 when he retired, but i remember commentators speaking of him often in the years that passed.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
Mays and Aaron.
Mays and Aaron.
What an amazing duo to emerge from Alabama at similar time.