@digitalbyron yeah, and he seved 2 years in the armed forces during the Korean war. with those 2 years and an average of 30 homers a season, he would have been the homerun king
@avalsonline2 not to mention he played in the worst ballpark in history Candlestick park. Where Mays had to hit with the wind coming in from left AGREED homerun king
@rogermaris1961 before that he played in the polo grounds for at least 6 years. you could hit a homer if oyu pulled the ball well, but if you hit it toward center, forget it. I think willie managed to hit a coulple of homers over that center field wall. but still, thats 500 feet to strightaway center
I use to go to all his games. I had my picture with him in the san Francisco examiner in 1962, he also gave me my first xmas tree. He will always be my hero.
Great footage!! Willie Mays was my hero growing up... I was at the game when he hit his 600th in SD (9-22-69) and watched three of his rockets land near our seats in the first three games of 1971 - the third one hit the seat next to me, but I didn't get the ball! I'll never forget it... Love the inside -the-park HR at the end of this video with Campy and Jackie arguing afterward...thanks for the memories
@vlessinger willie was one of those " once in a lifetime players". rare by all accounts, having said that, ken griffey jr was fun to watch, nowadays you have guys like rickie weeks, brandon phillips and felix hernandez. great ball players, great gloves, great swings, hernandez is a hell of a pitcher, even if his team is stinking up the league.
In 1951, I became an instant Cleveland Indians fan when my Dad took me to a Washington Senators' game in DC, with front row first base box seats. Right in front of my eyes I saw a big man picked off at 1rst base. He was very angry with the Ump, arguing loudly and stomping. The man was black. I had not seen any black person standing up to a white man. It was Luke Easter, 6'4" with the Cleveland Indians. The rest is history.
@avalsonline2 That's one of the things they did to black stars back then. I wish he had been handicapped in army service - j/k. Not really, but I was wondering why there were no baseball cards of him those 2 years.
Have you seen the 1953 card of Luke Easter and read the back?
@avalsonline2 Those two missing years in his prime could have added at least 60-70+ home runs to his batting HOF record, say 730 - before Aaron hit #715 in 1974!
Why are sports and especially baseball full of "What if's"???
@avalsonline2 You have that right, for sure. I wonder what the "odds" are of someone going the entire distance - such as an Aaron - against thousands, if not more, who do not?
poor roy campanella is just a little upset there...
avalsonline2 2 weeks ago
willie mays hit 660 homeruns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
digitalbyron 2 weeks ago
@digitalbyron yeah, and he seved 2 years in the armed forces during the Korean war. with those 2 years and an average of 30 homers a season, he would have been the homerun king
avalsonline2 2 weeks ago
@avalsonline2 not to mention he played in the worst ballpark in history Candlestick park. Where Mays had to hit with the wind coming in from left AGREED homerun king
rogermaris1961 2 weeks ago
@rogermaris1961 before that he played in the polo grounds for at least 6 years. you could hit a homer if oyu pulled the ball well, but if you hit it toward center, forget it. I think willie managed to hit a coulple of homers over that center field wall. but still, thats 500 feet to strightaway center
avalsonline2 2 weeks ago
I use to go to all his games. I had my picture with him in the san Francisco examiner in 1962, he also gave me my first xmas tree. He will always be my hero.
1960DOTTIEMAE 4 months ago
Great footage!! Willie Mays was my hero growing up... I was at the game when he hit his 600th in SD (9-22-69) and watched three of his rockets land near our seats in the first three games of 1971 - the third one hit the seat next to me, but I didn't get the ball! I'll never forget it... Love the inside -the-park HR at the end of this video with Campy and Jackie arguing afterward...thanks for the memories
Bigslye5 1 year ago
Greatest player of my time. Was at the 1962 World Series, game 3, holding up a sign that read "Welcome Back Mays & Co. and Say Hey".
Fun to watch. How many players today can you say that about
vlessinger 1 year ago
@vlessinger willie was one of those " once in a lifetime players". rare by all accounts, having said that, ken griffey jr was fun to watch, nowadays you have guys like rickie weeks, brandon phillips and felix hernandez. great ball players, great gloves, great swings, hernandez is a hell of a pitcher, even if his team is stinking up the league.
avalsonline2 7 months ago
i like it. :]]]
totally do a swing to this...lol.
sportsgurl33 1 year ago
In 1951, I became an instant Cleveland Indians fan when my Dad took me to a Washington Senators' game in DC, with front row first base box seats. Right in front of my eyes I saw a big man picked off at 1rst base. He was very angry with the Ump, arguing loudly and stomping. The man was black. I had not seen any black person standing up to a white man. It was Luke Easter, 6'4" with the Cleveland Indians. The rest is history.
Rapappport 1 year ago
Undoubtedly the best all-around baseball layer in the history of Major League Baseball. 660 home runs also before he finally lost his zip..
Rapappport 1 year ago 2
@Rapappport plus he lost 4 years in the army. would have been a homerun king for sure
avalsonline2 1 year ago
@avalsonline2 4 years in Korea??? What army service?
Rapappport 1 year ago
@Rapappport i am sorry 2 years. 52 and 54. drafted in the army, though he never saw combat duty
avalsonline2 1 year ago
@avalsonline2 That's one of the things they did to black stars back then. I wish he had been handicapped in army service - j/k. Not really, but I was wondering why there were no baseball cards of him those 2 years.
Have you seen the 1953 card of Luke Easter and read the back?
Rapappport 1 year ago
@Rapappport no, i havent, what did it say?
avalsonline2 1 year ago
@avalsonline2 That he was a terror to pitchers
Rapappport 1 year ago
@avalsonline2 Sorry, it's his 1954 baseball card Bowman.
Rapappport 1 year ago
@avalsonline2 Those two missing years in his prime could have added at least 60-70+ home runs to his batting HOF record, say 730 - before Aaron hit #715 in 1974!
Why are sports and especially baseball full of "What if's"???
Rapappport 1 year ago
@Rapappport not just sports. life is that way as well
avalsonline2 1 year ago
@avalsonline2 You have that right, for sure. I wonder what the "odds" are of someone going the entire distance - such as an Aaron - against thousands, if not more, who do not?
Rapappport 1 year ago