SSHoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown."
Posts: 19,142
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Post by SSHoya on Jun 18, 2024 20:11:47 GMT -5
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Nevada Hoya
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Post by Nevada Hoya on Jun 19, 2024 0:11:30 GMT -5
I was brought up in the era of Mays, Mantle, and Snider, all on NY teams. There were always rivalries about who was the best of the lot. Willie did not get to go to all the World Series that Mantle and Snider went to, but Willie had his chance to shine in 1954, showcased by his catch of Vic Wertz's fly to deep center in the Polo Grounds (over 400 feet). May Willie RIP.
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Elvado
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Posts: 10,689
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Post by Elvado on Jun 19, 2024 6:16:04 GMT -5
Willie Mays played the GAME of baseball with unbridled joy.
That he did it better than anyone else ever has or ever will is just gravy.
He was the embodiment of the Five tool player. But for 2 years of military service he is the first to 715. RIP to the last of my baseball heroes.
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SSHoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown."
Posts: 19,142
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Post by SSHoya on Jun 19, 2024 7:34:15 GMT -5
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SSHoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown."
Posts: 19,142
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Post by SSHoya on Jun 19, 2024 8:46:11 GMT -5
I was brought up in the era of Mays, Mantle, and Snider, all on NY teams. There were always rivalries about who was the best of the lot. Willie did not get to go to all the World Series that Mantle and Snider went to, but Willie had his chance to shine in 1954, showcased by his catch of Vic Wertz's fly to deep center in the Polo Grounds (over 400 feet). May Willie RIP. I had the West Coast rivalry of Dodgers v Giants in the early 1960s. Mays with McCovey, Marichal, the Alou brothers, v. Koufax, Drysdale, Roseboro, Wills, etc. Also remember when the Giants signed Murakami in 1965 who lasted only a year. No Japanese players coming to the US in those days. Great times of my youth.
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,434
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Post by hoyarooter on Jun 19, 2024 19:10:22 GMT -5
I was brought up in the era of Mays, Mantle, and Snider, all on NY teams. There were always rivalries about who was the best of the lot. Willie did not get to go to all the World Series that Mantle and Snider went to, but Willie had his chance to shine in 1954, showcased by his catch of Vic Wertz's fly to deep center in the Polo Grounds (over 400 feet). May Willie RIP. I had the West Coast rivalry of Dodgers v Giants in the early 1960s. Mays with McCovey, Marichal, the Alou brothers, v. Koufax, Drysdale, Roseboro, Wills, etc. Also remember when the Giants signed Murakami in 1965 who lasted only a year. No Japanese players coming to the US in those days. Great times of my youth. Me, too. Saw my share of Dodger/Giant games, including the famous Dick Dietz game, where a call by umpire Harry Wendelstedt preserved Don Drysdale's scoreless innings streak.
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,434
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Post by hoyarooter on Jun 19, 2024 19:13:26 GMT -5
Willie Mays played the GAME of baseball with unbridled joy. That he did it better than anyone else ever has or ever will is just gravy. He was the embodiment of the Five tool player. But for 2 years of military service he is the first to 715. RIP to the last of my baseball heroes. I've actually always thought that Ted Williams would have gotten to 715 but for all the time he lost to two wars. But yes, Willie would very likely have done it but for his lost time. But then again, how many home runs would the Babe have hit if he had started as an outfielder rather than a pitcher? Have to add, this has been a really tough last few days.
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SSHoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown."
Posts: 19,142
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Post by SSHoya on Jun 19, 2024 19:33:27 GMT -5
Willie Mays played the GAME of baseball with unbridled joy. That he did it better than anyone else ever has or ever will is just gravy. He was the embodiment of the Five tool player. But for 2 years of military service he is the first to 715. RIP to the last of my baseball heroes. I've actually always thought that Ted Williams would have gotten to 715 but for all the time he lost to two wars. But yes, Willie would very likely have done it but for his lost time. But then again, how many home runs would the Babe have hit if he had started as an outfielder rather than a pitcher? Have to add, this has been a really tough last few days. Plus playing in Candlestick probably robbed Mays of many HRs aside from his 2 years in the Army right after his rookie season.
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,434
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Post by hoyarooter on Jun 19, 2024 20:08:03 GMT -5
I've actually always thought that Ted Williams would have gotten to 715 but for all the time he lost to two wars. But yes, Willie would very likely have done it but for his lost time. But then again, how many home runs would the Babe have hit if he had started as an outfielder rather than a pitcher? Have to add, this has been a really tough last few days. Plus playing in Candlestick probably robbed Mays of many HRs aside from his 2 years in the Army right after his rookie season. Yes, that's absolutely true.
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