Willie Mays, 1931-2024 R.I.P.

What a life. A true baseball hero. Changed the game. A very solid argument for the best ever.

And seeing him at the Stick must have been awesome.

Because a big part of baseball is memories, a quick story. As a kid, who ate and breathed the game, I got to see his last hit. We didn't have much but my Dad somehow got two World Series tickets. A's and Mets. Seats were about ten rows apart but he wanted me to see a big game and, just as importantly, Willie Mays. He was my Dad's guy.

He could barely run at the time. Didn't matter. Even A's fans were pulling for him. He had an aura. I'll never forget it.

A little strange though. Just a couple of days ago I was looking at old sports stuff and randomly came across a photo of him playing stickball in Harlem when he was like 20. Great shot and led me to read a little about his initial stretch in the Big Leagues. So Say Hey Willie.

"The Catch"

When I read about his death, I found it hard to believe, even though rationally there would be no reason to be surprised. It's just that he was one of those iconic figures in American culture.

When I was growing up in New York in the 50's and 60's, a lot of people (both adults and kids) were Giants or Dodgers fans, as both of those teams moved from New York to California in the 50's. So we were all very conscious of Wille Mays.

Definitely a legend.
He raised the level of professional baseball play.

The first baseball game I got to see live was the SF Giants against the Mets at Shea Stadium....my grandfather (who had been a NY Giants fan) took me to see the game. Both Willie McCovey (who died in 2018) and Willie Mays both hit home runs.
RIP Willie Mays.

I loved watching him play, even if I was a Braves fan.

He changed game with his flip up style sunglasses on out in center field.
Willie took a lot flack behind that; what I like best about him, he kept his glasses on and didn’t back down from fan pressure.
Fast forward sun glasses are an essential part of the modern uniforms.
RIP to another great man and athlete.

A true baseball legend ⚾

I read that in his rookie year,after the game he played ball with kids (oh thats in the video-oops)

He waasa great player and a great man RIP:willie

Got the chance to see Mr. Mays when he played for the Mets....after all those years watching him on tv playing for SF.

Great memory being able to see your heros in person.

Great baseball player and man.

I met him at an autograph and card trading convention when I was a kid and he made me sit with him and have a coke at his autograph table after I rambled off his stats wide eyed.