Willie Mays, one of the all time greats, passed away

[Luv those Knicks]

Even though this is a b-ball forum, I thought this deserved a mention. 3rd all time among position players in WAR, ahead of Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron. Only players he's behind are Barry (asterisk) Bonds and the Babe.

A true 5 tool player. Could run, steal bases, hit for power, hit for average and field. One of the best fielders of all time. He missed 4 months in 1952 and the entire 1953 season for military service. If he'd played those 10 months, or 1 2/3rds years, there's no way to be sure, but he could easily have finished with over 700 homers. Perhaps giving Aaron a race to pass Babe in 1973. (Aaron beat Babe in 74, but I was alive in 73, and there was a ton of talk the year before). How cool would it have been to have two guys pushing for it, the way Mantle and Marris both pushed for 60 homers that one year on the Yankees.

Spent some time on the Mets in the twilight of his career. in 72, at 41 years old with NYM he had an OPB of .402 and an OPS+ of 145. Nobody looked at on base percentage back then, so he was overlooked a little.

Somebody could have probably written a better tribute, but I saw it wasn't posted yet. Such a great player. One of the best ever.

[nykballa2k4]

Passing of a true legend.

First West, now Mays. Sporting world is losing some big ones.

[2010]

RIP to the Say Hey Kid!

Arguably the best 5-tool player to ever grace the diamond.

[MrDollarBills]

May he rest well and gloriously. He lived one hell of a life

[F N 11]

Rip

A lot of legends lately Damn

[DOT]

Watch on YouTube

I know it says "overrated?" in the thumbnail, but the video is about how it's not overrated.

[mpharris36]

RIP arguably the best player to ever walk on a baseball diamond.

[moocow007]

[Daaaarryyl]

Watch on YouTube

I know it says "overrated?" in the thumbnail, but the video is about how it's not overrated.

Overrateed maybe by some who don't know the context and much of the history of that park.


Many mlb parks have a uniqueness to them and the Polo Grounds had a DEEP DEEP centerfield.

Legendarily deep, like almost 500 feet IIRC

Any ball hit over the centerfielders head was pretty much an inside the park home run.


Context: The Indians where on track to be considered an all time great team. The Giants where given little chance to beat that behemoth from Cleveland.

Best comp could be the Patriots and Giants coming off the undefeated season.

Game 1 is tied 2-2 in the 8th with runners on and this ball is clearly headed over the head of Mays and would be probably the deciding factor in the game.

Catch was unbelievable giving the fans hope they could actually beat this legendary team, which they did. Winning the game and the World Series.

[Clyde_Style]

Even though this is a b-ball forum, I thought this deserved a mention. 3rd all time among position players in WAR, ahead of Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron. Only players he's behind are Barry (asterisk) Bonds and the Babe.

A true 5 tool player. Could run, steal bases, hit for power, hit for average and field. One of the best fielders of all time. He missed 4 months in 1952 and the entire 1953 season for military service. If he'd played those 10 months, or 1 2/3rds years, there's no way to be sure, but he could easily have finished with over 700 homers. Perhaps giving Aaron a race to pass Babe in 1973. (Aaron beat Babe in 74, but I was alive in 73, and there was a ton of talk the year before). How cool would it have been to have two guys pushing for it, the way Mantle and Marris both pushed for 60 homers that one year on the Yankees.

Spent some time on the Mets in the twilight of his career. in 72, at 41 years old with NYM he had an OPB of .402 and an OPS+ of 145. Nobody looked at on base percentage back then, so he was overlooked a little.

Somebody could have probably written a better tribute, but I saw it wasn't posted yet. Such a great player. One of the best ever.

Certainly one of the most well-rounded ball players of all time and probably the best outfielder ever. Guy routinely tracked down balls and made catches no one else could make.

[Clyde_Style]

Willie was good people, a genuinely nice person

[Capn'O]

Passing of a true legend.

First West, now Mays. Sporting world is losing some big ones.

Incredible that we lost those two in a week. To make no mention of Walton and Chet Walker but those two were synonymous with their respective sports.

[Daaaarryyl]

Watch on YouTube

[HarthorneWingo]

I was at Shea Stadium on the Sunday afternoon to see Willie’s first game as a Met. He hit a HR and the Mets won 5-4. Say hey!

Oh, and they beat the Giants.