My Dad took me to a Giants game in the Polo Grounds. During batting practice, Willie hit one slightly foul into the left field bleachers, where... I caught it. A little later, the great Mays came over and... SIGNED IT!!!!
What a memory, Eric. Do you still have the ball? I'm so jealous. What is it about being at the ballpark that can take us back across the decades in an instant?
It’s “baseball” itself, Elliot. And sports toooo. I remember alllll the closed-circuit heavyweight championship boxing fights of Muhammad Ali that I saw… and the day I met him at the University of Buffalo… when he was making the “speaking rounds” during his multi-year title suspension for refusing to go to Vietnam on the grounds of being a conscientious objector. Made him even greater than Mays! Unfotunately, no, I don’t still have “the ball”.
My grandparents lived at 96 Ravenwood Drive from 1952 to 1983 or 84. Willy Mays lived diagonally across the street (Maywood). 1950s, early 1960s? I don't remember. My aunt who was 8 years older than myself, and her best friend Joan, would go Trick-Or-Treating and always enjoyed stopping at Mr. Mays' home for candy. I only saw him when he played at the baseball park (Candlestick).
Beautifully written. We need more people like Willie Mays today, not less. I'm not even a particularly interested baseball fan. But, I grew up in the Bay Area in the 70s and 80s and got to watch the pros up close. It was a magical time, thanks for taking a moment to help us all remember.
During my middle-and-high school years in Missouri, I was totally ape over the St. Louis Cardinals. Every summer, my dad's business would charter a bus to take the staff and their families into the city for a Cardinal game. One year (I think I was about 10, which would make it 1953) the game was with the New York Giants. In the concession area under the stands in that old Busch Stadium, there was an overhead walkway from the locker rooms to the playing field. Imagine my excitement when I caught sight of the amazing Willie Mays crossing over with his teammates to warm up for the game! I don't remember who won or any other details of the game, but I will never, ever cease to feel the thrill of seeing Willie Mays up close. Thank you, Elliot, for this tribute to a wonderful man.
He was always a positive influence; always well spoken and respected. A fixture of stability. He was one of the good guys in my Bay Area childhood. I wasn’t even a baseball fan but that didn’t matter. He was steady; rock solid. He was beloved and I will miss knowing he’s on the planet.
Well said Elliot! I had the good fortune to watch him play has a kid growing up and then in the 80’s working with the Giants I met him several times. He even signed a ball for our son Matt. He was everything you said and more. When you were in his presents you knew you were with one of the few greats!🥲
Thanks Pat. I’m jealous you got to see him play and meet him. How exciting for Matt to get the signed ball. My most vivid baseball-related memory around the neighborhood was gathering on the night of the earthquake during the World (Subway) Series.
Say, Hey! R.I.P., Willie!
My Dad took me to a Giants game in the Polo Grounds. During batting practice, Willie hit one slightly foul into the left field bleachers, where... I caught it. A little later, the great Mays came over and... SIGNED IT!!!!
What a memory, Eric. Do you still have the ball? I'm so jealous. What is it about being at the ballpark that can take us back across the decades in an instant?
It’s “baseball” itself, Elliot. And sports toooo. I remember alllll the closed-circuit heavyweight championship boxing fights of Muhammad Ali that I saw… and the day I met him at the University of Buffalo… when he was making the “speaking rounds” during his multi-year title suspension for refusing to go to Vietnam on the grounds of being a conscientious objector. Made him even greater than Mays! Unfotunately, no, I don’t still have “the ball”.
Eric, you met two of the great ones.
What stories!
Indeeeeeeeed!
Your writing makes me happy l learned to read. Thank you.
I can count on Elliot to brighten my day even if the topic is challenging.
This little comment choked me up. Thanks.
My grandparents lived at 96 Ravenwood Drive from 1952 to 1983 or 84. Willy Mays lived diagonally across the street (Maywood). 1950s, early 1960s? I don't remember. My aunt who was 8 years older than myself, and her best friend Joan, would go Trick-Or-Treating and always enjoyed stopping at Mr. Mays' home for candy. I only saw him when he played at the baseball park (Candlestick).
AMEN
Beautifully written. We need more people like Willie Mays today, not less. I'm not even a particularly interested baseball fan. But, I grew up in the Bay Area in the 70s and 80s and got to watch the pros up close. It was a magical time, thanks for taking a moment to help us all remember.
Beautiful tribute, thank you.
A beautiful tribute, Elliot to a truly great man.
Well written. I will always remember “The Catch”.
Thank you for a beautiful tribute. He was my introduction to baseball: https://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/2024/06/willie-mays-1931-2024.html
During my middle-and-high school years in Missouri, I was totally ape over the St. Louis Cardinals. Every summer, my dad's business would charter a bus to take the staff and their families into the city for a Cardinal game. One year (I think I was about 10, which would make it 1953) the game was with the New York Giants. In the concession area under the stands in that old Busch Stadium, there was an overhead walkway from the locker rooms to the playing field. Imagine my excitement when I caught sight of the amazing Willie Mays crossing over with his teammates to warm up for the game! I don't remember who won or any other details of the game, but I will never, ever cease to feel the thrill of seeing Willie Mays up close. Thank you, Elliot, for this tribute to a wonderful man.
I love reading these kinds of remembrances Caroline. Thank you so much for sharing.
Beautifully written and poignant. Thank you.
An honorable tribute to the "Say, Hey Kid"! He will surely be missed.
He was always a positive influence; always well spoken and respected. A fixture of stability. He was one of the good guys in my Bay Area childhood. I wasn’t even a baseball fan but that didn’t matter. He was steady; rock solid. He was beloved and I will miss knowing he’s on the planet.
Your best article so far, in my opinion. He was an anchor! He was a lighthouse!
Crying sad tears. Watched many Giant games on the tele. Pure poetry - another beautiful link to the past is gone.
Well said Elliot! I had the good fortune to watch him play has a kid growing up and then in the 80’s working with the Giants I met him several times. He even signed a ball for our son Matt. He was everything you said and more. When you were in his presents you knew you were with one of the few greats!🥲
Thanks Pat. I’m jealous you got to see him play and meet him. How exciting for Matt to get the signed ball. My most vivid baseball-related memory around the neighborhood was gathering on the night of the earthquake during the World (Subway) Series.