[Engraved-on-His-hands]

I am 69 years old. He was the greatest of my lifetime.

Side note: He missed 266 games while serving in the military.

[FamiliarFace]

I didn’t know that. Thanks.

[Vigilanteman]

Few players were the complete package of Willie Mays. He could do it all. Hit for power AND average, run and steal bases and play centerfield probably only second to Tris Speaker.

Very similar fielding statistics for both of these greats and I give Speaker a slight edge only because of equipment advances between gloves of the 1920s versus 40 years later.

If I were to select 25 players for the greatest of all time roster, it would most certainly include Willie Mays.

[shotgun]

My dad was his teammate during his time in the service. In 1967 we moved to Vallejo, California. My dad took us to several Giants games and we got to meet Willie. We had so much swag after those games. Baseball bats, cards, and baseballs from Willie, Juan Marichal, and McCovey.

If course being dumb kids we used it all in our local pick up games.