More Than Just Stats

In this episode, More Than Just Stats: The Enduring Impact of Willie Mays . . .

Welcome back to On the Fly! Today, we're dedicating this episode to a true giant of Baseball, the one and only Willie Mays, the "Say Hey Kid.”

The passing of Willie Mays on June 18, 2024, has deeply saddened baseball fans everywhere. However, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy. To honor him, we can't discuss Willie Mays without acknowledging his fellow New York baseball legends, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider. These three outfielders dominated the baseball scene in the 1950s and 60s, creating a golden age for baseball in New York City.

We’re talkin’ baseball . . . Especially “Willie, Mickey & The Duke."

As a young little league player, I vividly recall the day my mother purchased my first baseball bat. It was a special moment when we visited our local True Value Hardware store. There, we chose an “autographed” Mickey Mantle bat. This bat became more than just a piece of equipment; it became my gateway to baseball and introduced me to legendary players like Willie, Mickey, and the Duke.

But let's do a little rewind. Born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, Willie Mays showed his baseball talent early on. His professional baseball career began in 1948 at 17 when he played for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues before he had finished high school. He signed with the New York Giants after graduating high school in 1950 and earned his call-up to the majors in May 1951, barely a year of playing in the minors. In 1951, his rookie year, he won Rookie of the Year honors.

From the testimonials of many who saw him play, Mays' athleticism was truly special. He could hit for average, hit for power (crushing 660 home runs throughout his career), and make highlight-reel catches in center field night after night. This dominance earned him a record-tying 24 All-Star Game selections, a testament to his consistency and brilliance.

Although I didn't have the chance to experience these three players in action while growing up in Illinois, the Ken Burns documentary series–Baseball has given me a deeper appreciation for their impact on baseball history and passion for the game.

Back to Willie, his infectious energy and flamboyant style earned him the nickname "The Say Hey Kid." He brought joy to the professional game, both on and off the field. Let's not forget some of his most iconic moments! The over-the-shoulder catch in 1954, the moonshot home runs, and the clutch hit in the World Series. He was a true game-changer.

Willie Mays was integral to the Giants' two World Series championship teams in 1954 and 1962. His leadership and clutch performances were instrumental in those victories. Beyond his success, he was a role model for young African American players. He broke barriers and paved the way for future generations.

After returning to New York to play for the New York Mets, Willie Mays concluded his illustrious career in 1974. His enduring influence on the game reverberates to this day. He boasts numerous records:

Played for the New York/San Francisco Giants (1951-1972) and the New York Mets (1972-1974).
Won Two World Series championships (1954, 1962).
Holds the record for most career catches in center field (1,283).
Lifetime batting average: .302, Home Runs: 660, RBIs: 1,903.
Won 12 Gold Glove Awards for his outstanding defense.
Selected to the All-Star Game - 24 times.
Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.

Willie Mays is widely regarded as the greatest all-around baseball player in history. Explore the link to relive some of his greatest hits, witness his awe-inspiring catches, and listen to tributes from fellow baseball legends discussing his profound impact on the sport (narrated by John Miller).

Willie Mays was an icon, a champion, and a true baseball legend.

If you missed it, visit YouTube and search for Rickwood Field to see the tributes to Willie Mays and the Negro Leagues.

I’m Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. Until next time, play ball!

Mom Was Right

In this episode: Mom Was Right (Again!) . . . Remember that old saying, "Mom knows best?" Well, this week, it resonated profoundly. I vividly recall my mother's steadfast remedy for the common cold, which was ingrained in my 1960s childhood: "Rest in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and take aspirin to reduce pain and fever." . . . Or now that I think about it, this may have been a Bayer aspirin commercial–Simple . . . Fast-forward to the age of AI and endless medical information at our fingertips, and guess what? Not much has changed. Yet, somehow, this week, Lori and I were blindsided by a cold—the first in over five years. My incredulous "How could this be?" quickly morphed into a dawning realization. Our company's annual meeting, a melting pot of colleagues from Illinois, Texas, Vietnam, Colorado, Northern California, and the Central Valley, was a veritable petri dish of germs. And, oh, the germs found me! Getting sick, especially after a long str...

Whispers of Spring

In this episode, Whispers of Spring . . . Spring has a way of sneaking in when you’re not looking. One day, you’re shaking off the last chill of winter, and the next, you realize the light has shifted, stretching shadows just a little longer. It didn’t make a big fuss about it—no dramatic entrance, no trumpets—just a quiet unfolding, like an old dog settling into a sunny spot on the porch. Last week, Daylight Saving Time kicked in, which meant we all fumbled with our clocks, grumbled a bit, and then, like frogs taken aback by a warm rain, leapt forward into longer evenings. The sun now lingers, in no rush to set, hanging in the sky like a tossed coin that refuses to fall. With the extra daylight, we find ourselves drawn outside once again, migrating to the back patio like folks are drawn to a warm campfire. The lawn chairs are right where we left them, waiting like old friends. The air hums with wind chimes, their tuned cylinders catching the breeze and weaving together something that...

Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It?

In this episode: Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It? (And a Little Baseball Nonsense) Welcome, fellow baseball aficionados and purveyors of the peculiar, to a very special, dare we say unpredictable, issue of On the Fly! Today, the air is thick with . . . well, probably just regular air, but a specific mischievous something is buzzing around. Can you feel it? Does that tingling sensation make you double-check your shoelaces and suspiciously eye any unusual packages? Yes, dear readers, it’s April 1st! A day steeped in mystery, shrouded in playful deception, and frankly, a day where you shouldn't believe anything you read (except maybe this . . .maybe). But before we descend into a whirlwind of whimsical falsehoods (don’t worry, we’ll mostly keep it light!), let’s take a quick, slightly wobbly, historical flight through the origins of this most unreliable of holidays. Whispers from the annals suggest a few intriguing possibilities for why we dedicate this particula...

At 92–Don's Digital Daydream

Listen to the audio here. In a world of his own–lives, ole' Doctor Don, Not one world, but three, 'til the setting of the sun! There’s his Blog-World , so bright, with words all a-whirl, And Book-World , with stories of boy and girl! Then, Day-World , where legs didn't leap, didn't run, Just shuffled and creaked 'til each day is done. But his brain, oh, his mind, it’s zippy and keen, A most curious fellow that ever was seen! At ninety and two, with a twinkle so bright, He met Chatty and said, "What a strange delight!" This box with the answers, so quick and so bold, Of theology and stories, new truths to unfold!" "Integrity, relationships, where do they fit? This thing makes me wonder, bit by bit!" He ponders and pokes with laughter and a grin, "Til POOF! he has gone to a world from within! A world made of words, a fantastical place, Where limits of the body, left not a trace! He Soares, and he zooms, with a thought and a rhyme, Trans...

On The Fly

Search This Blog