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Willie Mays: Say Hey Kid" Goes Home to Stay.

DawgCrazy76

Willie Mays, one of baseball's greatest players in the Golden Era of Baseball has died of heart failure he was a splendid all-around player and person off the field. I loved watching him how fluid, fleet of foot seemingly effortlessly man he could play with tenacity. I wasn't a fan of the teams he played for, but I was a fan of him 2nd and only to Hank 'The Hammer 'Aaron. So, so long Mr. Willie Mays you will be missed sir, Goodbye to the "Say Hey Kid". 😎

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Comments

donniem

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/34678/willie-mays-say-hey-kid-goes-home-to-stay

having grown up a Giants fan, he was my all-time favorite. He is one of the best to EVER play the game. He can now make all the basket catches he wants in heaven.

MarkBoknecht

Mays and Aaron. Two of the greats. Willie Mays hit 660 homeruns in his career and would have hit many more if not for that famous wind coming off of San Francisco Bay.

Rest in Peace Willie Mays.

christopherules

May he rest in peace. What a great player he was!!! A joy to watch him play the game!!!

how2fish

Great player and role model, R.I.P !

donniem

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751794#Comment_751794

Agree, but I do recall reading way back when that he was alleged to have used what was called "red juice" - some sort of stimulant that was commonly used during his time. I also recall being shocked when I saw a picture of Mickey Mantle smoking a cigarette in the dugout…how could that be my young self asked.

swilkerson7317

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751782#Comment_751782

In his day most thought Mays would break Ruth's record of 714 homers. Mays fell off a bit and Aaron just kept going.

In his prime though Mays was probably the best baseball player ever. Certainly in the Top 5.

donniem

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751806#Comment_751806

Couldn't agree more, especially if all facets of the game are considered- offense, defense, baserunning, throwing arm etc. He could do it all. Had the pleasure of playing a round of golf in the foursome behind him one day in Phoenix. Let's just say baseball skills are not necessarily transferrable to golf.

swilkerson7317

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751810#Comment_751810

Ha. Good story.

Yes Mays was the original 5 tool guy. Hit, Hit for power, Throw, Run, Field.

One thing I didn't realize watching a thing on him last night on MLB Network. He lost two years when he was drafted. Didn't realize he had served because he was a bit after WWII.

donniem

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751811#Comment_751811

Yeah, both he and the splendid splinter lost some prime time due to military service. One can wonder what might have been accomplished in those missed years. I'm sure there are others as well. Did Warren Spahn serve too?

swilkerson7317

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751815#Comment_751815

Yes he did.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/spahnwa01.shtml

'43 '44 and '45. Three years.

DawgCrazy76

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751815#Comment_751815

Willie Mays served from 1951-1954 drafted for the Korean war he missed 266 games as a result of his service. Warren Spahn served from 1942-1945 276th Engineer Combat Battalion, 1159th Engineer Combat Group US Army. He was awarded the Purple Heart, during combat under constant withering fire from the Germans in Remagen at the Ludendorff Bridge [the only bridge remaining on the Rhine.]😎

swilkerson7317

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751820#Comment_751820

The years I listed are ones he missed the MLB season. Wont match up exactly with the years he served.

DawgCrazy76

Gone but not forgotten. 😎

MarkBoknecht

Mays, Aaron, and Clemente. Arguably, the three greatest players from the modern era.

Great picture

donniem

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/751918#Comment_751918

That is some serious talent, right there. If they were all in the same outfield, I'd bet even @Kasey could pitch for that team and have success!!