Willie Mays: The Complete Ballplayer
When discussing the all-time greats of Major League Baseball, Willie Mays' name inevitably rises to the top. His prowess at the plate, in the field, and on the bases, coupled with his charismatic personality, made him one of the most revered figures in baseball history. Let's delve into what made "The Say Hey Kid" so special.
The Bat
Willie Mays was a formidable presence at the plate. With 660 home runs, he currently ranks sixth on the all-time home run list. His career total of 3,283 hits places him 11th in that category, and he maintained an impressive .302 batting average throughout his career.
"It was a different sound off his bat. One day I got to the ballpark very early just to check out his bats. I went to the other dugout to see if they were different. They were heavy; they weren't different. He was different," recalls Bobby Valentine.
Pete Rose also chimed in, "I felt sorry for Willie in a way, having to play at that s---hole Candlestick. If he played today in the bandboxes in Cincinnati and Philadelphia and some other places, he'd hit 70 homers a year. He was a good hitter. He loved to talk hitting."
Joe Torre shared a unique interaction from his playing days: "Willie didn't like to wait in the box. He wants you to throw the ball right now. One time, I tried to distract him by talking to him. I asked him a question at the plate, and while answering, he hit the ball out of the ballpark. Then he sort of made a half turn to me as he started to first base and told me, 'I'll finish the story later.'
The Glove
Mays is equally legendary for his defensive prowess, having won 12 Gold Gloves throughout his career. Many argue he could have won even more. His speed, range, and baseball instincts set him apart in center field.
Steve Stone remarked, "He was the best center fielder in the game when he was 39 years old. It's truly amazing how long he was able to maintain his skills."
Tim McCarver compared him to another great: "Curt Flood was the best I've ever seen against the wall. But Curt played deep. Willie didn't play deep; he played shallow. Willie was the wall."
According to Baker, "Chris Speier told me Willie was calling pitches from center field for the pitcher to throw to a certain hitter. Those guys studied all the hitters back then. They didn't need a scout."
The Arm
Mays' arm strength was another hallmark of his game. His throws were both powerful and accurate, a critical trait for a center fielder.
"You already knew there were guys that you never, ever ran on. You had respect for those guys. Willie charged the ball as well as anyone," noted Bench.
Tim McCarver echoed similar sentiments, saying, "Johnny Keane, the Cardinals manager, told us in meetings, 'Don't run on Willie; he will throw you out. He's baiting you. He wants you to think he can't, and then he does.' Willie figured it out."
Orlando Cepeda shared an unforgettable moment: "Willie caught the ball at the 390-foot sign in right-center field, and he threw a low throw, on the line, in the air, all the way to third base. Willie had the greatest throwing arm I've ever seen, even better than Roberto Clemente's arm."
The Legs
Mays' baserunning skills were unparalleled, often setting him apart from other power hitters. His speed and instincts made him a terror on the bases.
"He was a terror on the bases," emphasized Tim McCarver.
According to Baker, "Willie would start to run to second on a wild pitch or a passed ball. Willie had great instincts on the bases."
Bench added, "You can say 29th in steals when he retired, but he could have easily moved into the top 10."
Reggie Jackson commented on Mays' potential, "Oh, hell, 40-40? That's nothing. I could have done 50-50 any time. I wanted to steal my bases when it mattered, for the team."
Orlando Cepeda summed it up perfectly: "The greatest baserunner I've ever seen. I tried to mimic him, to do what he did on the bases. But I couldn't. No one could."
The Say Hey Kid
Beyond his talents on the field, Willie Mays was known for his charisma and character. Revered by teammates and opponents alike, he left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Ken Griffey Jr. recalled his first encounter with Mays: "The first time I met him, I was 17, playing in the Instructional League. I missed the first two innings of the game because I was talking to Willie Mays. But my manager didn't care. He said, 'He's going to learn more talking to Willie Mays than he's going to learn playing in his damn game today. Let him talk as long as he likes.'
Joe Torre shared a humorous incident: "Willie came to the door and said, 'Who is this?' Bill said, 'Willie, this is Bob Gibson.' Willie didn't say hello; he said, 'You wear glasses!? And you don't wear them when you pitch? Are you crazy? You're going to hurt somebody!
Juan Marichal also felt Mays' kindness: "The first time I met Willie was the day I was called up to the big leagues. He was so good to me, but he was so good to everyone."
Reggie Jackson recalled a memorable moment in his rookie year: "Willie came over to the A's bench and said, 'Where's Reggie Jackson? I want to see Reggie Jackson.' I met him. That was a huge deal for me, for him to come to our dugout and ask for me. I got to shake his hand."
Even Tim McCarver had his own amusing story: "I wrote in my book that Willie had the thickest fingers I have ever seen, and he buffed his fingernails every day. He came up to me and said, in that high-pitched voice, 'I heard that you said that I buffed my nails every day. You're right, I do!'"
Willie Mays wasn't just a great player; he was a complete ballplayer, excelling in every aspect of the game. His legacy endures, a testament to his immense talent and the indelible mark he left on the sport.