OT: A gift from Alabama

[Bama fan]

On this day in 1931 Willie Mays was born in Westfield, Alabama. It is a little section of town near Birmingham and located adjacent to what was once the fully integrated steel mill in Fairfield,Al. Say Hey, y'all.

 

[Rixxx]

One of baseball's greatest five tool players.

 

[FeloniousMonk]

As a Dodger fan as a kid I always feared him. I didn’t really appreciate him until much later.

 

[oldude]

Mays over the head catch of Vic Wertz drive at the Polo Grounds during the 1st game of the 1954 series is considered to be the greatest catch ever by many baseball fans. But Mays subsequently told people he had it all the way, which is born out by one simple action. As Mays runs down the ball he pounds his glove, something he did whenever he knew he was going to catch a fly ball. Just another routine catch for the Say-Hey Kid.

 

[Tonyc]

Growing up Wille was my idol the Mick was second. I loved the Giants

 

[Steelerone]

If Willie were playing in todays major league he would have to play for two teams bacause just one owner would not be able to afford him. And as icing on the cake he also appeared to take such great joy in the game.
One of the greatest of the five tool players.

 

[pspr11]

The say hay kid! That catch killed the Indians!

 

[bantamlaker]

 

[JonathanXIV]

Willie Mays was a close to a perfect baseball player as we are ever likely to see.

 

[Jingo]

Willie Mays was a close to a perfect baseball player as we are ever likely to see.

He was a gr8 stickball player too and routinely played with the kids up in Harlem .. stickball was my game in the early 50s and I emulated Willie ...

 

[Gus Mahler]

Would one of you mind listing the five tools? Was Clemente a five-tool player?

I liked Willie, too. A lot. Wish he hadn't gone to the Mets, or Bally.

 

[Zanzman]

I would consider Clemente a four tool player he had only 240 career homers but he was great great play

 

[rvwsleep]

Would one of you mind listing the five tools? Was Clemente a five-tool player?

I liked Willie, too. A lot. Wish he hadn't gone to the Mets, or Bally.

Hit, hit with power, run, throw and field.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Would one of you mind listing the five tools? Was Clemente a five-tool player?

I liked Willie, too. A lot. Wish he hadn't gone to the Mets, or Bally.

In baseball, a five-tool player is one who can hit for average, hit for power, run, field and throw. Willie was a lifetime .302 hitter who lead the league in hitting, hit 660 home runs, lead the league in stolen bases four consecutive years (and was 29th all-time in SBs when he retired), won 12 Golden Gloves, and had a cannon for an arm (10+ assists in 9 years, including 23 in one year). God only made one Willie Mays.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Hit, hit with power, run, throw and field.

Ha! That's what I guessed. Maybe I once knew. Thanks, rvwsleep.

 

[Gus Mahler]

In baseball, a five-tool player is one who can hit for average, hit for power, run, field and throw. Willie was a lifetime .302 hitter who lead the league in hitting, hit 660 home runs, lead the league in stolen bases four consecutive years (and was 29th all-time in SBs when he retired), won 12 Golden Gloves, and had a cannon for an arm (10+ assists in 9 years, including 23 in one year). God only made one Willie Mays.

Well said, and thank you.

 

[Carnac]

If Willie were playing in todays major league he would have to play for two teams bacause just one owner would not be able to afford him. And as icing on the cake he also appeared to take such great joy in the game.
One of the greatest of the five tool players.

Growing up in Los Angeles, naturally I was Dodger fan. The Giants were our hated rivals, especially after the Marichal-Roseboro incident. Despite this, Willie Mays was always my favorite player. I had my Dodger favorites, but none of them rivaled the affinity I had for Mays. I made sure to attend at least 1 game during a series when they came to town. I would love to meet him while we’re both still topside.

 

[and one]

I was a Giants fan as a kid, and when they moved West became a Mets fan, so I got to see and root for Willie at both ends of his career. Could anyone play the game of baseball better than Say Hey? Nope.

 

[Old Jim]

Could there ever be a better time for centerfield Willie, Duke & Mickey.

 

[pspr11]

Anyone remember Willie, Mickey and the Duke song.

 

[oldude]

Anyone remember Willie, Mickey and the Duke song.

Willie, Mickey & The Duke was a song by Terry Cashman in 1981. The 3 great centerfielders were also featured prominently in another song/music video by John Fogarty in 1985, Centerfield.

 

[eebmg]

Willie, Mickey & The Duke was a song by Terry Cashman in 1981. The 3 great centerfielders were also featured prominently in another song/music video by John Fogarty in 1985, Centerfield.

 

[baggerbob]

In baseball, a five-tool player is one who can hit for average, hit for power, run, field and throw. Willie was a lifetime .302 hitter who lead the league in hitting, hit 660 home runs, lead the league in stolen bases four consecutive years (and was 29th all-time in SBs when he retired), won 12 Golden Gloves, and had a cannon for an arm (10+ assists in 9 years, including 23 in one year). God only made one Willie Mays.

New York had 3 great center fielders at the same time Giants with Willie Mays, Dodgers with Duke Snider, and Yankees With Mantle. A great time to be a kid growing up.

 

[Rixxx]

IMO, Candlestick Park night games did not help Willie's career.