Posted on 06/18/2024 6:12:28 PM PDT by texanyankee
RIP Willie. You inspired a lot of kids to play ball. Wonder if there’s any relation to Willie Mays Hayes.
I consider him to be the greatest.
New York had three of the best center fielders of the day to play at the same time, Mays, Mantle, and Snider. I grew up in Chicago, but it must have been incredible to be able to watch those three in the same city at the same time.
RIP to one of the great ones.
Willie always made time to visit with the kids after games. he was very nice with the kids and would toss baseballs to them and even play a little catch
and he never ever charged for signing their casts or pictures
a real pro
I know, I'm ripping off a quote from Mickey Mantle.
Imagine how many home runs he would have hit if Fenway Park was his home field.
One of the All Time Greats.
RIP
Hit the ball Willie!
My favorite player as a kid.
We all have our own. Before my time but my favorite based on the first book I ever read...... Lou Gehrig.
RIP Willie Mays, you created something great as well.
Tapping the glove, thanks for the memories
KC
RIP
I would say Ruth first, because he was such a good Pitcher.
But Mays was a better fielder.
I always gave the edge to Ruth because he was also an excellent pitcher, and he dominated the game more than Mays did. Tough to compare across different eras.
He started his career with only one hit in his first 26 at-bats then tearfully asked his manager to send him back to the minors. Leo Durocher told him as long as he was in charge Willie was his center fielder. Mays relaxed and went on a hitting tear. Rookie of the Year in 1951.
Biden will probably be claiming he played ball with Willie Mays, like he claimed he hit a ball 368 feet in his 2nd Congressional Baseball game in 1974:
Lying Joe Biden Makes Up Story About Baseball Glory Days, Gets Completely Debunked by Fact-Checker
Talkin’ Baseball by Terry Cashman
The Whiz Kids had won it,
Bobby Thomson had done it,
And Yogi read the comics all the while.
Rock ‘n roll was being born,
Marijuana, we would scorn,
So down on the corner,
The national past-time went on trial.
We’re talkin’ baseball!
Kluszewski, Campanella.
Talkin’ baseball!
The Man and Bobby Feller.
The Scooter, the Barber, and the Newc,
They knew ‘em all from Boston to Dubuque.
Especially Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Well, Casey was winning,
Hank Aaron was beginning,
One Robbie going out, one coming in.
Kiner and Midget Gaedel,
The Thumper and Mel Parnell,
And Ike was the only one winning down in Washington.
We’re talkin’ baseball!
Kluszewski, Campanella.
Talkin’ baseball!
The Man and Bobby Feller.
The Scooter, the Barber, and the Newc,
They knew ‘em all from Boston to Dubuque.
Especially Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Now my old friend, The Bachelor,
Well, he swore he was the Oklahoma Kid.
And Cookie played hooky,
To go and see the Duke.
And me, I always loved Willie Mays,
Those were the days!
Well, now it’s the 80’s,
And Brett is the greatest,
And Bobby Bonds can play for everyone.
Rose is at the Vet,
And Rusty again is a Met,
And the great Alexander is pitchin’ again in Washington.
I’m talkin’ baseball!
Like Reggie, Quisenberry.
Talkin’ baseball!
Carew and Gaylord Perry,
Seaver, Garvey, Schmidt and Vida Blue,
If Cooperstown is calling, it’s no fluke.
They’ll be with Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.
Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
It was Willie, Mickey and the Duke (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
I’m talkin’ Willie, Mickey and the Duke (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
Say Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. (Say hey, say hey, say hey)
God needed a center fielder, so Willie is safe at home today.
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