Willie Mays

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I grew up in an AL city, Washington, but saw Willie at an all star game towards the end of his career. As a kid, it was a thrill.

Th only time I saw him was in 72 or 73 I believe? I'd have to check ticket stubs and box scores. I went to every Sunday day game at Dodger Game with my Grandfather from 71-76. Field Level, row 4 behind the dugout looking up the 3rd baseline.

I'll always remember my Grand Pa turned to me and whispered, "That's Willie Mays". Pointing him out as if I needed to know who he was for some reason. (Like he did the day they retired the big 3-Dodger's numbers and I sat next to Casey Stengel). I remember Mays dropped a fly ball in center and got picked off first base that day, LOL.

I read somewhere he only dropped 2 fly balls in his career. I have been truly blessed in this life. Good times.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Fuddjcal

Th only time I saw him was in 72 or 73 I believe? I'd have to check ticket stubs and box scores. I went to every Sunday day game at Dodger Game with my Grandfather from 71-76. Field Level, row 4 behind the dugout looking up the 3rd baseline.

I'll always remember my Grand Pa turned to me and whispered, "That's Willie Mays". Pointing him out as if I needed to know who he was for some reason. (Like he did the day they retired the big 3-Dodger's numbers and I sat next to Casey Stengel). I remember Mays dropped a fly ball in center and got picked off first base that day, LOL.

I read somewhere he only dropped 2 fly balls in his career. I have been truly blessed in this life. Good times.

That’s amazing. Reminds me of when I went to see Ripken in Camden with my family when I was a kid. We are from Rochester which was the longtime AAA affiliate of the Orioles so my brother loved Cal. He went 0-3 through the first 6 innings, all bad looking strikeouts. My dad, not a baseball fan, said they pay this guy how much?!? Well sure enough the got up in the 9th and just killed one. I still remember the crack of his bat. Sounded powerful.

[egri]

I've posted this here before, but my only Mays:

[IMG] [/IMG]

[bnorth]

Here is my newest addition. At one time I had the Topps playing days run minus the 1952 in lower grade. On my list he is 5th behind Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, and Babe Ruth.

[Casey2296]

Very nice Ben!

[Vintagedeputy]

I found this Willie in the wild a few months ago.

[Big Red Machine]

This has always been my favorite Mays.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Here is my newest addition. At one time I had the Topps playing days run minus the 1952 in lower grade. On my list he is 5th behind Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, and Babe Ruth.

Ben, I think Willie would really enjoy your artistic ability. You should post it to him, if that is possible.

[Leon]

My only Mays card. Always liked it.

[jb67]

Fun thread to follow. Here are couple of my favorites.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Ben, I think Willie would really enjoy your artistic ability. You should post it to him, if that is possible.

I didn't make that. The artist and fellow member John English made it. It arrived at my house about an hour ago. I will get it and the 51 Bowman Mickey Mantle framed in the next few days.

[Jersey City Giants]

My father saw him play in Trenton before he got called up. Said he was the best player he ever saw play. Plus when Ty Cobb was old he said he was the only player he would pay to see. Those two opinions are good enough for me!

[JollyElm]

Love this one...

1971toppsgreatestmomentsmays.jpg


Created this one...

1972williemaystraded07.jpg


Grabbed these ones recently*...

1967mays1969mays.jpg


*Pardon the grammar.

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

Posting this one because I don't think it's made an appearance in this thread, and it's one of my favorites. Notoriously difficult to find centered, which is why I "settled" for this one.

1952 Bowman is the set I'm most familiar with, and I'll say I think Mays has closed the gap a little bit in this set over the last five years...and honestly he should. The Mays card is a more scarce High# in 1952 Bowman and has a lower population overall. Wouldn't surprise me if the Mays card eventually catches Mantle in this set for that very reason.

Mays.JPG

[Johnny630]

1955 Topps Willie Mays :-)

[Svabinsky78]

There are just some players that get more hobby love than others........Ruth, Cobb, Mantle, Speaker, Mathewson, Walter J, Clemente, Gehrig, Ted Williams, Koufax.....

There are some baffling examples though of greats who don't get as much hobby love as they really deserve....the most glaring example to me is Frank Robinson....he truly was one of the great players of the game (check out his HR, hit, RBI totals) yet his cards can be picked up on the cheap, relative to his contemporaries.....which is great for collectors