Willie Mays, Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ has died at 93
6 months ago

Willie Mays, Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ has died at 93

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. “Willie Mays took his all-around brilliance from the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League to the historic Giants franchise. Mays himself would proudly point out that “the throw” was as important as “the catch.” “Soon as it got hit, I knew I’d catch the ball,” Mays told biographer James S. Hirsch, whose book came out in 2010. “All the time I’m running back, I’m thinking, ‘Willie, you’ve got to get this ball back to the infield.’” Mays was Rookie of the Year in 1951, twice was named the Most Valuable Player and finished in the top 10 for the MVP 10 other times.

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History of this topic

The Remembering Willie Mays Edition
5 months, 4 weeks ago

The Remembering Willie Mays Edition

Slate  

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin share their thoughts on baseball legend Willie Mays, who died last week at age 93. The New York Times’ obituary for Willie Mays, who died last week at 93. Vin Scully and Willie Mays remembering Mays’ catch against Bobby Morgan in 1952. The Athletic: “Reggie Jackson, on live TV from Rickwood Field, shares …

Jim Murray: In praise of the wonderful Willie Mays
6 months ago

Jim Murray: In praise of the wonderful Willie Mays

LA Times  

Willie Mays, star outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, arrives on Feb. 4, 1962, at a San Francisco public playground equipped for a workout. Leo Durocher started to drool the first time he saw Willie Mays, and he hasn’t stopped since. This makes strong men cover their ears because around the rest of the league they figure anyone who would …

Column: Baseball legend Willie Mays instrumental in California fight against housing discrimination
6 months ago

Column: Baseball legend Willie Mays instrumental in California fight against housing discrimination

LA Times  

Giants great Willie Mays in 1957, discussing neighborhood opposition that helped block him from buying a home in San Francisco. The change was aided significantly by Mays’ indirect help, according to another legendary Willie from San Francisco — former mayor and longtime state Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. People smiled.” Brown continued: “The fair housing law of San Francisco was passed …

Donovan homers, Cardinals beat Giants 6-5 in game at Rickwood Field honoring Mays and Negro Leagues
6 months ago

Donovan homers, Cardinals beat Giants 6-5 in game at Rickwood Field honoring Mays and Negro Leagues

Associated Press  

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Brendan Donovan hit a two-run homer and a double and the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-5 in the Negro Leagues tribute game at Rickwood Field on Thursday night. The 114-year-old Rickwood Field is the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S. and former home to baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays and the Birmingham …

Willie Mays Appreciation: The ‘Say Hey Kid’ inspired generations with talent and exuberance
6 months ago

Willie Mays Appreciation: The ‘Say Hey Kid’ inspired generations with talent and exuberance

Associated Press  

SAN FRANCISCO — Long after “The Catch” and his 660 home runs, and the daring sprints around the bases with his hat falling off, Willie Mays could still command a room like no other. He was simply the “Say Hey Kid” from his days patrolling center field at the Polo Grounds in the 1950s, when baseball ruled New York City, …

Willie Mays dies at 93: MLB legend ‘passed away peacefully’, son says
6 months ago

Willie Mays dies at 93: MLB legend ‘passed away peacefully’, son says

Hindustan Times  

Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He inspired a handful of songs and was named first in Terry Cashman’s 1980s novelty hit, “Talkin’ Baseball,” a tribute in part to the brief era when New York had three future Hall …

Willie Mays, the Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ dies at 93
6 months ago

Willie Mays, the Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ dies at 93

Associated Press  

Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. “All the time I’m running back, I’m thinking, ‘Willie, you’ve got to get this ball back to the infield.’” Willie Mays is surrounded by children from the Boys and Girls Club of San …

Willie Mays, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball legend, has died
6 months ago

Willie Mays, Hall of Fame Major League Baseball legend, has died

LA Times  

It came to be known simply as “The Catch,” and is, perhaps, the most recognized defensive play in baseball’s long and storied history, the play that made rising star Willie Mays famous. It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of …

Hall of Famer Willie Mays will not be in attendance for Negro League tribute game at Rickwood Field
6 months ago

Hall of Famer Willie Mays will not be in attendance for Negro League tribute game at Rickwood Field

Associated Press  

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Willie Mays will not be in attendance when the San Francisco Giants face the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field on Thursday in a game honoring him and the Negro Leagues. Mays, who began his career in Alabama with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues and played for the Giants from 1951-72, told the San …

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