Skip to main content

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!

Comments

Don Hanley said…
Thank you, Patrick - excellent article and who was the other player to have 24 pwwer years?
Patrick Ball said…
Stan Musial & Hank Aaron!

Most Popular of All Time

We Need Awe More Than Ever

In this episode, Why We Need Awe More Than Ever Yesterday morning, I slipped into the cool stillness of my backyard before dawn. The air was crisp, the silence deep—broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and the familiar calls of birds waking early. Then I looked up. A thin crescent moon hung low in the east, with Venus just above it like a shining jewel. The sky was clear and full of stars, and for a moment, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time: Awe! For thousands of years, the heavens have carried on their steady dance, untouched by human noise. No ruler, no election, no breaking news has ever changed their rhythm. And yet here I was, tempted to reach for my phone—to trade the eternal for the urgent. Instead, I stayed. I watched the moonrise, the sky slowly lighten, and the world around me stir. Ducks passed overhead in a loose V, hummingbirds zipped past to visit their feeder, pausing mid-air as if curious about me sitting so still. Little by little, the static in my mind f...

The Silent Grid–Part Two

In this episode, The Silent Grid – Part Two Sirens split the night as Greenwood went dark. Marvin knew instantly—the blackout wasn’t an accident. It was a warning. In this quiet town, where life once unfolded at a predictable pace, a sleek, intuitive smartphone—a so-called gift from the future —has arrived. But it’s no tool for connection. It’s a silent force, erasing individuality and turning neighbors into something less than human. Marvin Gellborn, a man who values independence, sees the truth. His device isn’t helping; it’s testing him, watching him, and quietly embedding itself into the life of Greenwood. Welcome back to On the Fly . In this week’s episode of The Silent Grid , GridBot tightens its grip. After a hopeful community gathering, Marvin and his robot companion, Norman, notice a troubling absence—the very generation they hoped to reach has vanished into the neon glow of The Signal Box , a youth tech hub pulsing with digital obsession. When Greenwood’s lights vanish, Marvi...

The Pessimism Aversion Trap

In this episode, The Pessimism Aversion Trap Picture this: a room full of bright minds nodding in agreement as a bold new strategy is unveiled. The slides are polished, the vision is grand, and the future, we're told, has never looked brighter. Everyone beams—because who wants to be the one to say, "Um… this might not work"? Heaven forbid someone spoil the mood with a dose of reality. Better to smile, add a buzzword or two, and march confidently toward disaster. That's how the Pessimism Aversion Trap works. Even now, I can still hear the sound—a high-pitched shriek and a digital hum, followed by the slow, rhythmic clatter of data pouring from a 5¼-inch floppy disk. It was the late 1980s, and my makeshift home office (our living room) was dominated by what felt like a marvel of modern engineering: a used Tandy 1000 PC with not one, but two floppy drives. To top it off, we purchased a 'blisteringly fast' 300-baud modem—which, for the uninitiated, could downloa...

History Isn’t a Museum

✨ In this episode, History Isn't a Museum—It's a River . . .   History isn't a museum—it's a river, and like it or not, we're already swimming in it. Its waters carry timeless lessons forward, flowing through each generation, waiting to be rediscovered . This profound realization struck me while reading Marcus Aurelius's Meditations . Imagine: a Roman emperor and philosopher two thousand years ago, writing notes that sound like advice from a modern mindfulness coach. When he says, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength," it feels like he's speaking directly to us. The water may change, but the river is the same. Examining this writing with a fresh, childlike perspective and a wealth of experience, I realize how consistent human nature remains over time. Every generation faces familiar challenges, marked by frustration, peace, courage, faith, baseball, and the search for meaning across the ages...