[Jane Long]

You’re back!!

[Mariner]

And I thought you were dying or somethin’.

[Chesterbelloc]

I’m very sad tonight. My Dad took me to see him play at Candlestick Park. I dressed up one Halloween as Willie.

[SaxxonWoods]

I just watched video of “The Catch” again.

Friend told me: “He almost always lost his cap (on purpose) when running the bases. He said the people were there to be entertained.”

[Uncle Miltie]

Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it’s time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I shall still be dreaming
I do not count the time

For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?

Sad deserted shore, your fickle friends are leaving
Oh, but then you know it’s time for them to go
But I shall still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I have no thought of time

For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?

And I am not alone while my love is near me
And I know it shall be so until it’s time to go
So come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring again
I do not fear the time

For who knows how my love grows?
And who knows where the time goes?

[waterhill]

I’ve been to the edge...

And there I stood and looked down
...
Ò

[markman46]

You need to stick around FRiend

[eyedigress]

Just take a break. Enjoy Life.

You will be OK.

[Dan in Wichita]

Mays was absolutely one of the greatest baseball players who ever lived. Unparalleled combination of speed, power, and skill.

[NFHale]

Sad news.

But we all have an expiration date…

RIP Willie. Thanks for the Game..,

[Major Matt Mason]

Only saw Mays in person once vs. the Pirates in Mays' last season (also Clemente's last season). Mays was obviously at the end of his career, but it was still cool to be able watch he and Clemente in person. RIP.

[FamiliarFace]

I hope that “just this once” means “just one more time” down the road. God bless you, Jim.

“Wherever that wind might blow
Wherever that river rolls”
FReepers will be there for you.

[kiryandil]

 

[sopo]

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day. Isaac Watts

[waterhill]

I still don’t like you.

[Rowdyone]

Being an L.A. Dodgers fan since 1958 I remember how Mays always struck fear in my heart when he came up to bat. But he could beat you in so many ways and very often did. He was the perfect blend of talent for a baseball player. So long Willie and thanks for the memories.

[Tymesup]

Bill James once rated players in 9 different areas. Mays and Ryne Sandberg were the only two he found who were above average in all 9.

Baseball banned Mays because he was working for a casino. Now baseball can’t get enough gambling.

Sorry to see you leave Free Republic.

[Fiji Hill]

I only saw Willie Mays once—at Dodger Stadium on May 31, 1968—and I was rooting against him. The Jints were our biggest rivals in the National League. Don Drysdale was the Dodger pitcher, and he was seeking a record number of consecutive shutouts.

The game was the most dramatic that I have ever watched. Dodger fans were cheering every pitch by Drysdale. At one point, when SF hitter Dick Dietz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, it looked as though Drysdale’s streak was over. But the umpire ruled that Dietz had leaned into the pitch. Whereupon the Giants’ manager exploded in rage and was ejected from the game.

Drysdale finally got out of the inning and finished the game standing on the mound. The Dodgers won, extending Drysdale’s string of shutouts in what was otherwise a mediocre season for the Bums. Incidentally, Mays didn’t do all that well, getting only one hit in four at-bats.

[Mears]

I thought you said good bye .

……..

[PerConPat]

Mr. W. Mays and Mr. T. Williams were the two greatest baseball players I was ever privileged to watch from a seat in a stadium.

They were great on and off the field, having missed games due to military service. RIP, Willie...