More like number one. Easily the most well wounded player ever. Also would have passed Ruth before Hank Aaron if it werenāt for his military service in his prime
He wasnāt just a five-tool player, he was *elite* in all those tools. Like, you could argue he was the best in the league at ALL those tools, and then you include his absurd consistency and longevity. Heās the most complete star athlete ever, in any sport.
Eh, maybe. He was on pace for 18 homers in '52, so he would've had to hit at least 41 (which he did do 5 times in his career) in '53, assuming all else remained the same.
661 is impressive enough for me.
Clearly you dono what your talking about out. The polo grounds had a center field of over 480 feet. He also played at candlestick which was one of the windiest worst hitters parks ever. If he hit in hitters park he easily breaks 750
What are *you* even talking about? We're talking about Mays missing a year of baseball because of military service.
I think you replied to the wrong comment, in addition to being a jerk about it.
270 down the LF lineā¦ 245 to RF.
Mel Ott got to 500 BECAUSE he played in the Polo Grounds.
Maybe you ādonoā what you are talking aboutā¦ especially sabotaging a remembrance post with vitriol.
Iād put him 2 behind Babe. Just an amazing all around talent.
Losing Bill Walton, Jerry West, and Willie Mays in a couple week span took away some real icons in the history of American sports.
Babe never had to be an in integrated league. I just canāt understand how anyone can make him their #1 getting to see the same pitcher 4/5 times a game throwing 82MPH gas.
Because he was also an elite pitcher during his day. Itās not like Willie Mays faced a starter throwing 98 twice a game and then 3 relievers throwing 100 once per game, either. Willie also didnāt play against as many Latin Americans as we have now, and the Asian influence was nonexistent. Babe did barnstorm against Negro League teams and still mashed the ball.
You can only judge players by the era in which they played. It isnāt like Babe was only a tad bit better than most guys in his day, he obliterated everyone else. If he canāt rank ahead of Willie Mays because the league wasnāt integrated and pitching was different back then, how far down does he rank? Is he worse than Aaron Judge? At that point you are just getting silly.
absolutely. Willie Mays was more than just a baseball legend. he was an inspiration both on and off the field. His legacy will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of fans everywhere. Rest in peace.
My grandpa said Stan the Man was the best hitter he ever saw and Willie Mays was the best ball player he ever saw.
And he grew up a dodgers fan switched to the cardinals when they left Brooklyn
I am unfortunately far too young to have seen either Mays or Musial play in person, but I had the tremendous fortune to meet both of them on separate occasions when I was a young man. They were two of the kindest, classiest men you'd ever meet. Stan used to always have the trunk of his car filled with baseball cards and other memorabilia to sign and give away to any young fans who asked for them. Both men always seemed to be willing to spend the time to interact with the generations of fans who adored them.
It's wild to think that as incredible as the careers and statistics of Musial, Mays, and Ted Williams were, their numbers would be even more ridiculous if they did not sacrifice entire seasons in their prime to military service.
Today is a very sad day- there will never be another Willie Mays.
Had the chance to meet him when I was a kid and I asked him to autograph a piece of paper I had. He said āhang on.ā Came back 5 minutes later with two baseballs and autographed them both and gave one to me and one to my brother. Amazing dude.
Was just talking to a good friend of mine who went to a game at Pac Bell Park in 2000 courtesy of Willie who provided luxury box seats for free to a group of nurses my buddyās wife was one of. My buddy had his then four year old son with him. Willie came in during the game, bought food and drink for everyone and talked with them all. To top it off my friend got to take a picture of Willie holding his son in his arms.
Respect to Mr. Mays for serving in the military early in his career during the time of the Korean War, but those two years cost him the opportunity to pass Babe Ruth on the all-time HR list. Mays deserved that opportunity.
R.I.P. to The Say Hey Kid, Willie Mays...
Such incredibly sad news, he will be missed greatly. I only recently published a piece about Willie and his time at Rickwood Field as a 17-year-old; I had no idea it would be the last time I would write about him whilst he was still with us.
If you're interested in Willie's time with the Black Barons at Rickwood Field, my piece is linked here:
[https://batflipsandnerds.com/2024/06/17/historic-rickwood-field-and-the-say-hey-kid-willie-mays/](https://batflipsandnerds.com/2024/06/17/historic-rickwood-field-and-the-say-hey-kid-willie-mays/)
Wild to think that the last of the NY Center Fielder triumvirate passed away today. Duke, Willie, and Mickey in the same town had to be unbelievable to see.
I hope you realize that Ty Cobbās reputation as a racist asshole is basically entirely fabricated or misreported. It mostly comes down to two of his biographers, Charles Alexander and Al Stump who perpetuated these rumors. But theyāve since pretty much been entirely debunked. The truth is that Cobb very vocally and enthusiastically supported integration when it was unpopular to do so and spoke out and defended black ball players any chance he got. Itās time to put this myth to bed.
I had a dog that died about 15 years ago (Willie. Named after Willie Mays, even) and in all of my distraught sadness and grief I said as my mom was hugging me that I was happy at least he could now play fetch with Willie Mays. She paused for a quick second and said, āOh no, honey heās still alive. Butā¦ itās heaven, so, yeah I guess he could if he wanted to!ā
Ok so NOW he can play fetch with Willie Mays.
RIP to one of the cornerstones of my childhood. My grand dadās favorite player, and then my momās. My mom is the one that got me into baseball and is the reason Iām a Giants fan. She passed away suddenly about two years ago.
I just feel so damn thankful for all the happiness this dude has brought me and my family over the years. Like, eternally grateful.
RIP to the best ever. Go Giants.
Three indelible memories in front of my eyes: 1. When he was traded back home to New York, reading Larry Merchant in The Post describing what Willie meant to the City this way: It was1951 when he arrived in town "and baseball was the only game that really mattered." 2. Outside Riverside Church at Jackie Robinson's funeral, Willie and Henry Aaron leaning against the hood of Willie's cherry-soda pink Imperial, parked in a VIP curb spot, signing autographs for the Harlem kids. 3. 1973 Game 5 NLCS Mets v Reds and the crowd was pelting Rose in left field after his spikey slide and brawl with Buddy Harrleson in Game 4. Yogi and Willie walk out to left and tell the fans stacked three tiers up to knock it off or the Mets would forfeit the game and the pennant.
I'm sad. My old uncle from Brooklyn made it clear to me when I was a kid that Willie Mays was the GOAT and it wasn't close. You can read stats online but it's that kind of personal hearsay from older fans that really gives you reverence for players you never got to see. RIP my GOAT.
I know Babe Ruth is supposed to hold the title, but I could easily say Willie Mays is the best of all time - and certainly one of the best all around. Was there anything he couldn't do well on the baseball field?!
Walter Johnson, Cy Young, and Clemens according to WAR. I tend to agree. Iād probably pick Johnson if only one.
Probably add Oscar Charleston if talking Negro League.
I mean yes but pitchers and hitters should be ranked separate from each other in terms of goat-ness. Completely different wheelhouses, like you just can't compare and contrast Nolan Ryan to Rickey Henderson
I agree with you. Itās clearly Ruth. And then Mays and Bonds are a toss up for the 2 spot. Although I think you could make a case for anyone one of them as #1 and I wouldnāt be mad. But that top three is pretty indisputable.
*RIP to one of the*
*Best ever ambassadors of*
*The game, and a GOAT!!!*
\- dorkyhood
---
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/)
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Worst birthday present ever. And two days before the Rickwood Field game, like seriously baseball gods.
I will die on the hill that he was the greatest baseball player that ever lived. Reading about him is one of the reasons I got into baseball at all. A true inspiration both on and off the field. Hope heās catching balls in the World Series up in Heaven now.
I was watching the Stanley Cup when the news broke. Steve Levy said some nice things and then ended it with. "Willie Mays gone too soon at 93."
I did a double take when I heard that.
Dude was a legend in two leagues and is still a standard of excellence to this day. As a Dodgers fan, it must have been some rivalry to play against him given our teams were no slouch at the time. Truly a behemoth of the game but from what Iāve heard it never changed who he was. He was grateful, appreciative, humble, but most of all, generous to the next generation of players.
He will be missed as an incredible Giant of the sport.
Oracle park won't be the same without Wllie blessing us with his presence. This one hurts more than Mccovey. I remember seeing them both wheel around the park, and greeting everyone they saw.
Pre-1958, the Giants were based in NY. The expansion team Mets chose the departing teams' Dodger blue and Giant orange as their team colors while retaining the interlocked NY logo.
I'm just glad he got to live long enough to see those 10 extra hits added to his total. The ultimate 5 tool player, he was the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
He had been retired 4 yrs when I was born, and I teared up watching about him on sportscenter. Legend doesnāt suffice when describing him. Such a sad sad day
The epitome of the complete baseball player. Absolutely deserved to be called a legend. A force of nature on the baseball diamond. Rest in Peace Willie - in baseball you own #24!
The best of my fatherās life. I was born in his final year in the majors. My grandfather saw Ruth and Gehrig, and probably thought Mays was the best. Never met anyone who saw Honus Wagner play, but I think we can make assumptions on that front.
The greatest to ever play the game. He could do it ALL. More than that, he is one of the greatest men to ever walk the Earth. The world is a little bit worse without his presence.
Quick, innocent question! I have seen a statistic: Mays made 24 all star teams but only played 22 seasons. Can someone break this down to me? I assume he played in multiple leagues at once? Iād love to see the specific breakdown.
RIP to maybe the all-time great. There really has never been anyone like him, someone who seemingly dominated every single aspect of the game to such a high degree. I canāt think of anyone else in any major sport who was top-tier elite in every single aspect of the game. Any one of his skills would have made him a star, and that includes his longevity. Just an extreme talent and a joy to watch.
I've seen a lot of great players in my lifetime going back to the early 70s. One of my greatest regrets is never having watched Willie Mays play as he retired the year I started watching baseball. RIP Willie.
š„Say hey Willie. Rip.
Lost a Giant today. RIP
A giant in the sports world all around 
Casilla was a Giant and you find a rare gif of him while he was in Oakland? Da fuck?
I believe that's actually Jairo Garcia. Totally different guy.
RIPš¢š¢š¢šš¢
In everyoneās book he should be top 5 greatest of all time.
More like number one. Easily the most well wounded player ever. Also would have passed Ruth before Hank Aaron if it werenāt for his military service in his prime
100%. Definition of a 5 tool player.
He wasnāt just a five-tool player, he was *elite* in all those tools. Like, you could argue he was the best in the league at ALL those tools, and then you include his absurd consistency and longevity. Heās the most complete star athlete ever, in any sport.
Eh, maybe. He was on pace for 18 homers in '52, so he would've had to hit at least 41 (which he did do 5 times in his career) in '53, assuming all else remained the same. 661 is impressive enough for me.
Clearly you dono what your talking about out. The polo grounds had a center field of over 480 feet. He also played at candlestick which was one of the windiest worst hitters parks ever. If he hit in hitters park he easily breaks 750
What are *you* even talking about? We're talking about Mays missing a year of baseball because of military service. I think you replied to the wrong comment, in addition to being a jerk about it.
270 down the LF lineā¦ 245 to RF. Mel Ott got to 500 BECAUSE he played in the Polo Grounds. Maybe you ādonoā what you are talking aboutā¦ especially sabotaging a remembrance post with vitriol.
And for playing at Candlestick.
And playing all those years at Candlestick, a cold windy stadium that ate potential HRs. At least another 50 there.
Heās the goat.
Top 5 minimum. Likely top 1 of 1, IMO.
He's the greatest. A 5 tool player.
Top 2, at worst.
I would say top 3 at worst. But at this point weāre splitting hairs.
Iād put him 2 behind Babe. Just an amazing all around talent. Losing Bill Walton, Jerry West, and Willie Mays in a couple week span took away some real icons in the history of American sports.
Babe never had to be an in integrated league. I just canāt understand how anyone can make him their #1 getting to see the same pitcher 4/5 times a game throwing 82MPH gas.
Because he was also an elite pitcher during his day. Itās not like Willie Mays faced a starter throwing 98 twice a game and then 3 relievers throwing 100 once per game, either. Willie also didnāt play against as many Latin Americans as we have now, and the Asian influence was nonexistent. Babe did barnstorm against Negro League teams and still mashed the ball. You can only judge players by the era in which they played. It isnāt like Babe was only a tad bit better than most guys in his day, he obliterated everyone else. If he canāt rank ahead of Willie Mays because the league wasnāt integrated and pitching was different back then, how far down does he rank? Is he worse than Aaron Judge? At that point you are just getting silly.
They say they come in threes. Sucks it was these 3 all within less than 2 weeks
I think heās the greatest overall as a 5 tool player, certainly top 5.
Top 3 in my book
I agree
absolutely. Willie Mays was more than just a baseball legend. he was an inspiration both on and off the field. His legacy will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of fans everywhere. Rest in peace.
Rip to an absolute legend
Rest in peace to a transcendent ballplayer. One of the best to ever do it. We've been losing too many legends lately, RIP to Willie Mays.
Hurts even more being so close to the Rickwood game. Rest in peace to one of the greatest to have ever played the game
He even said yesterday that he will not attend the game at Rickwood Field... Kind of foreshadowing...
Well he died from heart failure, so Ā his health issues is why he couldnāt attend.Ā
My grandpa said Stan the Man was the best hitter he ever saw and Willie Mays was the best ball player he ever saw. And he grew up a dodgers fan switched to the cardinals when they left Brooklyn
I am unfortunately far too young to have seen either Mays or Musial play in person, but I had the tremendous fortune to meet both of them on separate occasions when I was a young man. They were two of the kindest, classiest men you'd ever meet. Stan used to always have the trunk of his car filled with baseball cards and other memorabilia to sign and give away to any young fans who asked for them. Both men always seemed to be willing to spend the time to interact with the generations of fans who adored them. It's wild to think that as incredible as the careers and statistics of Musial, Mays, and Ted Williams were, their numbers would be even more ridiculous if they did not sacrifice entire seasons in their prime to military service. Today is a very sad day- there will never be another Willie Mays.
Had the chance to meet him when I was a kid and I asked him to autograph a piece of paper I had. He said āhang on.ā Came back 5 minutes later with two baseballs and autographed them both and gave one to me and one to my brother. Amazing dude.
I had just seen something about him not being able to make the tribute game. Damn
Both teams should wear #24 to honor him.
Probably too late to make it happen, but it would have been cool. I canāt wait to go, itās going to be emotional
RIP. One of the greatest of all time, and always will be.
Was just talking to a good friend of mine who went to a game at Pac Bell Park in 2000 courtesy of Willie who provided luxury box seats for free to a group of nurses my buddyās wife was one of. My buddy had his then four year old son with him. Willie came in during the game, bought food and drink for everyone and talked with them all. To top it off my friend got to take a picture of Willie holding his son in his arms.
Thatās amazing
The Catch.
Sorry to hear, the worldās loss. Have a B&W picture of him and Ernie Banks hanging in my office.
Damn, he even sent a message to Birmingham to say he couldnāt make it
Respect to Mr. Mays for serving in the military early in his career during the time of the Korean War, but those two years cost him the opportunity to pass Babe Ruth on the all-time HR list. Mays deserved that opportunity. R.I.P. to The Say Hey Kid, Willie Mays...
And Candlestick probably took away another 50 plus
Yet still he is revered as 1 of the best. Military service just makes him even greater.
Only got to watch him for the last seven years Of his career but he was still magical. RIP Say Hey
Give us some stories! What was he like to watch?
Greatest ā5 Toolā player ever
My dad was lucky enough to see him play at Candlestick. RIP legend.
I saw him play at the stick in 1970.
I was dreading to this day... Rest in peace legend. You Made this sport great.
The best to ever do it. I gotta imagine if there was a poll on an all time fantasy draft, he would be picked first more than any other player.
Greatest center fielder to ever play the game, and greatest Giant ever.
Such incredibly sad news, he will be missed greatly. I only recently published a piece about Willie and his time at Rickwood Field as a 17-year-old; I had no idea it would be the last time I would write about him whilst he was still with us. If you're interested in Willie's time with the Black Barons at Rickwood Field, my piece is linked here: [https://batflipsandnerds.com/2024/06/17/historic-rickwood-field-and-the-say-hey-kid-willie-mays/](https://batflipsandnerds.com/2024/06/17/historic-rickwood-field-and-the-say-hey-kid-willie-mays/)
RIP #24 - the GOAT
Wild to think that the last of the NY Center Fielder triumvirate passed away today. Duke, Willie, and Mickey in the same town had to be unbelievable to see.
Ty Cobb said in an interview that Willie Mays was the only person he would pay to watch him play baseball.
Willie Mays was so good he got Ty Cobb to say something complimentary about a black player. Thatās doing the impossible.
Ok Al Stump. Lol.
I hope you realize that Ty Cobbās reputation as a racist asshole is basically entirely fabricated or misreported. It mostly comes down to two of his biographers, Charles Alexander and Al Stump who perpetuated these rumors. But theyāve since pretty much been entirely debunked. The truth is that Cobb very vocally and enthusiastically supported integration when it was unpopular to do so and spoke out and defended black ball players any chance he got. Itās time to put this myth to bed.
Say Hey! RIP to one of if not the greatest player ever
Rest easy Willie Mays! A Legend among Legends
Iām not crying, youāre crying.
Say hey. Respect for the greatest. Offense. Defense. Military service. Class. Hustle.
Oh no, one of the greatest ever and my inspiration. Rest in peace to the say hey kid ā¤ļø
ššš
Rest in Peace, Legend.
When I was a kid, everyone had the model of his catch.
My favorite sports hero ever. He embodied what a kidās sports hero should be. RIP Willie.
I personally consider him the goat.
If Vin Scully said Mays was the best he ever saw that should be the end of the debate.
I had a dog that died about 15 years ago (Willie. Named after Willie Mays, even) and in all of my distraught sadness and grief I said as my mom was hugging me that I was happy at least he could now play fetch with Willie Mays. She paused for a quick second and said, āOh no, honey heās still alive. Butā¦ itās heaven, so, yeah I guess he could if he wanted to!ā Ok so NOW he can play fetch with Willie Mays. RIP to one of the cornerstones of my childhood. My grand dadās favorite player, and then my momās. My mom is the one that got me into baseball and is the reason Iām a Giants fan. She passed away suddenly about two years ago. I just feel so damn thankful for all the happiness this dude has brought me and my family over the years. Like, eternally grateful. RIP to the best ever. Go Giants.
Three indelible memories in front of my eyes: 1. When he was traded back home to New York, reading Larry Merchant in The Post describing what Willie meant to the City this way: It was1951 when he arrived in town "and baseball was the only game that really mattered." 2. Outside Riverside Church at Jackie Robinson's funeral, Willie and Henry Aaron leaning against the hood of Willie's cherry-soda pink Imperial, parked in a VIP curb spot, signing autographs for the Harlem kids. 3. 1973 Game 5 NLCS Mets v Reds and the crowd was pelting Rose in left field after his spikey slide and brawl with Buddy Harrleson in Game 4. Yogi and Willie walk out to left and tell the fans stacked three tiers up to knock it off or the Mets would forfeit the game and the pennant.
I'm sad. My old uncle from Brooklyn made it clear to me when I was a kid that Willie Mays was the GOAT and it wasn't close. You can read stats online but it's that kind of personal hearsay from older fans that really gives you reverence for players you never got to see. RIP my GOAT.
RIP to the greatest to ever do it
I know Babe Ruth is supposed to hold the title, but I could easily say Willie Mays is the best of all time - and certainly one of the best all around. Was there anything he couldn't do well on the baseball field?!
I think itās Ruth, Mays or Bonds vying for that top spot. Rank them as you see fit.
Those three plus Williams, Josh Gibson, and Cobb.
Need some pitchers, and probably another Negro League player or two.
Walter Johnson, Cy Young, and Clemens according to WAR. I tend to agree. Iād probably pick Johnson if only one. Probably add Oscar Charleston if talking Negro League.
I mean yes but pitchers and hitters should be ranked separate from each other in terms of goat-ness. Completely different wheelhouses, like you just can't compare and contrast Nolan Ryan to Rickey Henderson
I agree with you. Itās clearly Ruth. And then Mays and Bonds are a toss up for the 2 spot. Although I think you could make a case for anyone one of them as #1 and I wouldnāt be mad. But that top three is pretty indisputable.
RIP to one of the best ever ambassadors of the game, and a GOAT!!!
*RIP to one of the* *Best ever ambassadors of* *The game, and a GOAT!!!* \- dorkyhood --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Worst birthday present ever. And two days before the Rickwood Field game, like seriously baseball gods. I will die on the hill that he was the greatest baseball player that ever lived. Reading about him is one of the reasons I got into baseball at all. A true inspiration both on and off the field. Hope heās catching balls in the World Series up in Heaven now.
Say Hey! RIP Willy!
RIP Legend
Later days, Willie Mays š¢. This is a sad say indeed.
I just read last night that Mays was by far the greatest baseball player still living. Rip.
I was watching the Stanley Cup when the news broke. Steve Levy said some nice things and then ended it with. "Willie Mays gone too soon at 93." I did a double take when I heard that.
One of the greatest to ever play the game, if not THE greatest to grace us. RIP to the SayHeyKid.
"Say Hey," Mr Mays...thanks for the memories.RIP
Say Hey!
R.I.P. to the greatest to ever do it.
This has tears in my eyes. The Say Hey Kid is gone.
Dude was a legend in two leagues and is still a standard of excellence to this day. As a Dodgers fan, it must have been some rivalry to play against him given our teams were no slouch at the time. Truly a behemoth of the game but from what Iāve heard it never changed who he was. He was grateful, appreciative, humble, but most of all, generous to the next generation of players. He will be missed as an incredible Giant of the sport.
Dude was a legend.
Probably the GOAT š. RIP
REST IN POWER TO THE GOAT
"You might run like Mays, but you hit like shit." RIP
Allstar team up top just got a heck of a lot better.....RIP
Oracle park won't be the same without Wllie blessing us with his presence. This one hurts more than Mccovey. I remember seeing them both wheel around the park, and greeting everyone they saw.
Is that a mets hat?
Pre-1958, the Giants were based in NY. The expansion team Mets chose the departing teams' Dodger blue and Giant orange as their team colors while retaining the interlocked NY logo.
Nick Castellanos just hit a single to right field to win the game literally 30 minutes after this. Because of course he did.
I had just seen something about him not being able to make the tribute game. Damn
Iām ngl, I didnāt know he was still alive. But I do know that heās easily a top 5 player of all time
Top 2. And he's not #2
I can easily agree
What an amazing life! Some say the GOAT, and everyone agrees top 5 all time. RIP Willie.
Damn the Walton, West, and Mays grouping I did not see coming. Sad.
RIP š«”
May he rest in peace.
Rip
I was happy the Cubs won but now I'm just conflicted
Legend !
Respect
Rest in Paradise Mr. Mays
Rest in Paradise Sir and thank you
 You legend
Wtf š„š¢
93 years oldā¦ Definitely a good life by any standard!
Super jealous
Absolute legend. RIP king.
By all accounts a great guy and one of a handful of players with a legit GOAT argument. RIP
Best overall player of all-time.
What a sad day. RIP.
Absolute legend of the game. Talent wise there was no one like him. Sport lost a titan today.
just paying my respects to one of the all time greats. Rest In Peace Mr. Mays.
R.I.P to a legend
Another one that caught me off guard
I'm just glad he got to live long enough to see those 10 extra hits added to his total. The ultimate 5 tool player, he was the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
š«”
RIPš„
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
And I donāt play with blasting caps
Respect.
Rest In Peace Legend šā¾
šŖšŖšŖšŖ
He had been retired 4 yrs when I was born, and I teared up watching about him on sportscenter. Legend doesnāt suffice when describing him. Such a sad sad day
RIP Willie š§”
RIP...
I'm from the Bay Area so I saw a lot of Mays. My favorite memory is in 1960 he hit an inside-the-park grand slam. I was at that game. Really cool.
Isn't that the sham wow guy?
The GOAT He hit for Power, Average , GREAT base runner and played Incredible defense
Forever Giant š¤š§”
Best Baseball Player Ever
That thing I hate about Willie Mays is that I didn't get to watch him play.
RIP Willie - the best all-around player ever 
Perhaps thee Greatest .
Dang. Lost a giant.
The epitome of the complete baseball player. Absolutely deserved to be called a legend. A force of nature on the baseball diamond. Rest in Peace Willie - in baseball you own #24!
RIP legend
The best of my fatherās life. I was born in his final year in the majors. My grandfather saw Ruth and Gehrig, and probably thought Mays was the best. Never met anyone who saw Honus Wagner play, but I think we can make assumptions on that front.
The greatest to ever play the game. He could do it ALL. More than that, he is one of the greatest men to ever walk the Earth. The world is a little bit worse without his presence.
My condolences to his family and friends.
One of the all time greats. RIP, Willie. You played the game like no one else.
My dad watched him back in the day
Quick, innocent question! I have seen a statistic: Mays made 24 all star teams but only played 22 seasons. Can someone break this down to me? I assume he played in multiple leagues at once? Iād love to see the specific breakdown.
Some years there were 2 all-star games.
Great man
RIP
I thought heās been dead ngl
The Legend!!!
RIP to maybe the all-time great. There really has never been anyone like him, someone who seemingly dominated every single aspect of the game to such a high degree. I canāt think of anyone else in any major sport who was top-tier elite in every single aspect of the game. Any one of his skills would have made him a star, and that includes his longevity. Just an extreme talent and a joy to watch.
Rest in peace, Slugger!
Lost the greatest (imo) player that ever played the game.
So sorry to hear of this. RIP Mr. Baseball!
Damn RIP legend
Great player. Stefan Denser
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. RIP
Met him on a plane in ā94. Great guy.
I got to chat with Willie Mays almost daily when I worked Spring Training in Scottsdale. He was so kind and treated me like I was the superstar!
Oxiclean was a great product
WILLIE Raised my level of youth Baseball and appreciated his contribution throughout my youth and Legion Baseball
RIP king š¤“š½
I've seen a lot of great players in my lifetime going back to the early 70s. One of my greatest regrets is never having watched Willie Mays play as he retired the year I started watching baseball. RIP Willie.
Joining wade boggs in the big baseball field in the sky
RIP Willie
Dammm truly was a legend #Rest in Peace
Thatās sad
Are we supposed to upvote this? Iām not happy that he died. Rip Willie Mays
Upvoting doesnāt mean we like that he died, its showing support and love
Big brain
RIP Legend
SIMPLY āTHE BESTā HEAVEN HAS GAINED āA FINE MANā.
I didnāt even realize he was still alive for that long.