Happy 92nd Birthday Willie Mays!

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I have to presume you've read Don DeLillo's somewhat fictionalized account of the Shot Heard Round the World game?

I haven't but thanks for the reference Peter, I just looked it up and it looks like a fun read.

I did however have a drinking contest with Don Larsen in a bar when I was 20, let's just say he won and I felt like the Brooklyn Dodgers the next morning...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

I haven't but thanks for the reference Peter, I just looked it up and it looks like a fun read.

I did however have a drinking contest with Don Larsen in a bar when I was 20, let's just say he won and I felt like the Brooklyn Dodgers the next morning...

It's available as a free standing piece called Pafko at the Wall, or as the first section of his book Underworld. It's quite brilliant, weaving together various aspects of the game and the fans and the same-day hydrogen bomb test by the Soviet Union and the fate of the home run ball afterwards. Very much in line with your theme of there is no other sport even close to baseball. I'll tease you with a line about the home run, he talks about "the bolt of noise and joy when the ball went in."

[TUM301]

Speaking of birthdays or maybe some other festive occasion, here`s a snapshot of what appears to be a young Mays (early 50`s) meeting a young fan. Have some cards but enjoy pieces like this showing players in every day situations. And yes greatest ever, surely an extremely strong case. Happy birthday Sir.
Nice Wille Mays snapshot, mid 1950`s ? by Hugh Murphy, on Flickr

[esehombre]

What a great thread - his Coca Cola card is the perfect summation of his joy for the game