NFT- RIP Willie Mays

[AZGiantFan]

As a die hard Red Sox/MLB fan, I truly appreciate the context.  Mays was well before my time; however, I'm well versed in his legend.

@MightyGiants I assumed Mays had passed too. Odd, because it appears he was active with the Giants well into his upper 80s.

While Willie was the greatest player of all time, for my money Ted Williams was the greatest hitter of all time.  Were it not for military service they both would have broken Ruth's HR record, IMO.

[Rosehill Jimmy]

It's tough losing childhood heroes and Willie was #1 for me. I first saw him as a 7 year old during the Giants last year in Polo Grounds and it didn't take long to see why he was my Dad's favorite and why he became mine as well. I couldn't take my eyes off him. He covered the massive center field with balletic grace and ease and I was awestruck by his basket catch. How does he do that? His ability to float through the outfield stood in stark contrast to the powerful energy he displayed while swinging the bat and running the bases.  He stood out.  There was no one who played the game with his energy, enthusiasm, instincts and pure joy.  I was lucky to see a lot of excellent ball players including Aaron, Frank Robinson, Mantle, Clemente and Kaline. Great players all but not quite as good as the Say Hey Kid. RIP

BTW, Giants beat the Cubs 3-2 in 16 innings and the Chicago starter, Bob Rush, pitched the entire game. So much for being on a pitch count!

[LennG]

For myself the only player who was comparitable to Willie was Jackie Robinson. Willie may have had more power but Jackie was every part his equal in most other categories.