Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 72912 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 7:13 pm Post subject:
When Willie Mays caught Vic Wertz over the shoulder his throw into second base held Larry Doby and Cleveland to runners at first and third with one out. The catch is highlighted but the throw is glossed over.
The stories about him playing stickball with kids are true. When he visited Monty Irvin in Orange NJ he played with us. When we went to the Polo Grounds we usually sat in center field. He would throw baseballs to us. I got my hands on one. Willie was very affable. I was raised to call an older person Mr. Miss or Mrs. He insisted we call him Willie. RIP _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be
because we destroyed ourselves.
Last edited by jodeke on Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:57 am; edited 1 time in total
Mays was the greatest 5 tool player baseball has ever seen. While having over 600 HRs is impressive at face value, you have to realize that in the second half of his career he was playing in the thick, moist air at sea level, not to mention that Candlestick was no bandbox.
One fun fact: When Ralph Branca gave up the pennant-winning HR ("The Shot Heard Around the World") he was immediately criticized for not walking Bobby Thompson and going after the rookie sitting on deck. That criticism disappeared in the years that followed as that rookie was Willie Mays.
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