SAN FRANCISCO – Willie Mays was approaching the halfway level of what could be an illustrious 23-year MLB profession in 1962 when Steve Malcoun and his Little League workforce from Stockton obtained an opportunity to see him play dwell on a visit to Candlestick Park.
“He was only a phenomenon past his time,” stated Malcoun, now 70, stated of Mays on Friday at Oracle Park. “He may do something. He had velocity, he had energy, he may catch the ball, he may run quicker than anyone. He was a complete athlete.”
Mays, the oldest dwelling member of the Baseball Corridor of Fame and the best Giants participant of all time, turned 92 on Saturday as San Francisco beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1. Mays, who performed for the Giants from 1951-72, briefly attended the sport.
Nonetheless, regardless of retiring near 50 years in the past, the Say Hey Child’s feats on the baseball diamond are remembered with awe by those that obtained to see him play in individual, notably throughout his tenure in San Francisco the place he cemented his standing as one of many biggest gamers of all time.
Mays’s profession included two Nationwide League MVP awards, 12 Gold Gloves, a Rookie of the 12 months award in 1951, a World Collection title in 1954, two All-Star Recreation MVPs, and in the end election to the Corridor of Fame in 1979.
“Willie is possibly the best participant that ever lived,” Giants supervisor Gabe Kapler stated.
Mays doesn't attend Giants video games as continuously as he used to, notably after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless it’s clear he had an affect on some present members of the group who did meet him.
Brandon Crawford, the longest-tenured Giants participant, stated it blew him away to be taught that Mays knew who he was after the 2 first met.
“I most likely didn’t discuss to him the primary couple of instances he got here (into the Giants clubhouse) simply because I used to be a younger man and I figured, let the opposite guys discuss to him,” Crawford stated. “I assumed it was simply cool that he was there. Ultimately, I labored up the braveness to only no less than introduce myself and discuss to him and he already knew who I used to be, so I assumed that was actually cool.
“You form of notice simply how regular of a man he's regardless of being probably the greatest baseball gamers of all time.”
Giants fan Michael Doyle, 68, of Carmel estimated that he noticed Mays play at Candlestick within the late Sixties when his standing as one of many sport’s biggest gamers had already been established. In 1968, when Mays turned 37, he nonetheless had 79 RBIs with a .860 OPS in 498 at-bats over 148 video games.
“At the moment, he was simply greater than life. Simply him being on the sphere was superb,” Doyle stated. “I’d say it was like watching Barry Bonds play. I imply, it was the identical aura. It was superb. Willie Mays was fairly a participant.”
Mike Pechner, 76, a former on-air meteorologist, notably at KCBS, stated he can keep in mind watching Mays when the Giants performed at Seals Stadium in 1958 and 1959 after the group moved to the Bay Space from New York.
Pechner stated he used to ship the Marin Unbiased-Journal as a child and if a month glided by with none complaints or missed deliveries, he would obtain a free ticket to a Friday evening sport at Candlestick.
Mays was the principle attraction on Giants groups of that period that additionally featured Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, the Alou brothers and Juan Marichal.
“He's my idol. Yeah, little doubt about it, and I used to be sufficiently old to appreciate what an awesome participant he was,” stated Pechner, who now works in visitor providers on the park. “My father took us to Candlestick Park, however I additionally went to a few video games at Seals Stadium when the Giants first got here right here.
“Simply to see (Mays’) flash, to see how he performed the sport. It’s not that I don’t suppose youthful folks can admire him, however I believe the older you're, you admire him. I admire Barry Bonds simply as a lot. If Willie Mays was the best participant to play the sport, which he could possibly be, Barry Bonds could be second.”
Malcoun stated he wasn’t capable of get Mays’ autograph when he went to that Giants sport in 1962. However about 10 years when he and a few pals went to Arizona to see some video games throughout spring coaching, he noticed Mays at a restaurant and was capable of shake his hand.
“If he was enjoying as we speak, he’d be making $15-20 million a 12 months,” Malcoun stated. “I imply, he’d be on the high of the market.”
Pechner stated he attended roughly 5 - 6 Giants video games monthly.
“I’m lucky to have seen him,” Pechner stated, “and I’m glad that he’s nonetheless alive.”
