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MSNBC.com baseball analyst Ted Robinson gives his take on the hits and misses by players, managers, umpires and owners in Major League Baseball.

Robinson has an extensive background in covering the sport. He called the play-by-play on NBC's Major League Baseball Game of the Week telecasts from 1986-89. Additionally, he has been the lead play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Twins, the television and radio play-by-play voice of the San Francisco Giants, and a member of the New York Mets broadcast team.



Willie Mays a true baseball treasure

Posted: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 11:42 AM

Last night's All-Star Game in San Francisco allowed the Giants, a franchise that has appreciated its greats, to properly honor its greatest: The Say Hey Kid.
 
Did you catch the exchange with Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr. talking to Mays. Every time the Hall of Famer spoke, the two stars smiled. There was no generation gap. There was only unabashed admiration for the legendary center fielder. 

That's the Mays I had the honor of becoming familiar with during my years as a broadcaster with the Giants. The Mays who always greeted you with a smile and a wisecrack. The Mays who always talked to anyone in the clubhouse, who always signed for anyone in uniform, who offered his home phone number to young players who wanted to talk baseball, and who would fill a room while he told hours of stories -- none a repeat, and all guaranteed to leave you laughing.

I've enjoyed no greater thrill than an hour of quietly listening in the corner of a room to stories swapped by Mays and his former Giants teammate Willie McCovey.
 
That's why Mays is a treasure. He makes you feel as good about being around the game as you did when you were watching him play it.

Calvin Murray was drafted by the Giants in the first round (seventh pick overall) of the 1992 amateur draft. The outfielder never realized the potential that led to his being chosen so high. But for years in spring training Murray was mentored by Mays. And it wasn't kid-glove treatment.

Mays would tell the speedy Murray that bunt hits were great, but also tell him, "Do I think I got to drive a Cadillac by bunting...I had to hit home runs to get a fancy car." Mays tried to prod Murray into digging as deep as possible to make himself the best player he could.
 
Mays doesn't lack in pride. With little prodding he tells of calling pitches from centerfield, and positioning the corner outfielders based on the pitch he signaled to the catcher.

The incredible catch he made on a ball hit by Vic Wertz in the 1954 World Series -- not his best he says, just the timeliest. And, he adds, that it wasn't that tough, that there was so much room in deep centerfield at the Polo Grounds that he was able to purposely catch the ball over his left shoulder in order to pivot and quickly fire the ball back to the infield.
 
Did you see Mays' hands in any of the close-ups on the telecast of the All-Star Game? Huge hands, meaty hands that are not merely extensions of his arms, but independent forces which help to explain his astounding strength. His eyesight has faded, which made the walk through centerfield at the All-Star Game a challenge. But his mind is sharp, and around the ballpark his spirit revives.
 
How great is Mays? On that walk from centerfield did you notice who was at his side? Barry Bonds. And Mays' affection for his godson is genuine. Mays is the only person from which I see that for Bonds, who is about to become the all-time leading home-run hitter in the game.

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Willie May did it the right way, Barry Bond's didn't, he cheated and doesn't deserve my respect.  Where was Willie Mays when Barry Bond's was so obviuosly cheating?

J Burda, Hudson, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, July 11, 2007 1:13 PM)

Number 24 was the best there ever was. When I was 12 years old I saw him hit the highest, longest ball I ever saw in my life. I would have caught it myself, too, if it hadn't burned up on re-entry. McCovey put on a better show during batting practice, and Hank was a better pure hitter, but there was nobody you wanted in the middle of things when the game was on the line than Willie. I once saw a pitcher intentionally walk him leading off the ninth with the score tied, a cardinal sin if there ever was one. It was this time too, because he stole second and scored on Cepeda's single to win the game.

John Provine, Coeur d'Alene, ID (Sent Wednesday, July 11, 2007 3:11 PM)

Willie Mays, is, in my opinion, THE greatest baseball player who ever lived. Babe Ruth is the most important figure ever because he made the masses fall in love with the game as they had never before. But as for all around abilities, Ruth could not match Mays. No one could. Mays owns no significant batting records. Henry Aaron seems to have that distinction. But it is important to note two things. First, Mays lost nearly two full years of his career while he was serving in the military. For whatever reason, Aaron never had to serve. And second, Mays played many years in the hell that was Candlestick Park. It is estimated that the swirling winds at Candlestick cost Mays 8-10 home runs a year. If he had played many years in the "Launching Pad" of Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium (as Aaron did) and not had to serve in the military, there is no telling how many homeruns Willie might have hit. He would certainly have broken Ruth's record of 714 homeruns long before Aaron did. I say this not to knock Aaron, who was in his own right a great player. I mention it only to illuminate what might have been.
Still, when you add up Mays' abilities with the bat, his howitzer of a throwing arm, his pure speed on the basepaths and his ability to run down fly balls (he has more lifetime put-outs than any other outfielder in history) and his sheer intellect when it came to understanding how to play the game, Mays stands alone. He has no peer.
Long may he live. THE greatest baseball player ever.  

Marc Anderson (Sent Wednesday, July 11, 2007 4:52 PM)

I watched Mays play as a kid growing up, and I loved baseball before I even understood who Willie was.

One of my most cherished memeories was hearing Mays name announced during the game.

Everytime the Field Abnnouncer would say  in booming, deep, slow voice..  "Now Batting {Huge applause}... Number 24 {Bigger Appluase}... Playing CF {BIGGER Applause}... Willie Mays {DEAFING APPLAUSE}!  The shiver of emotion that filled the bone of every fan in the stadium, every time Willie walked to the batters box was something that I have not witnessed since.  

The entire stadium would stand, every time he walked to the plate.  Knowlegeable fans would cheer louder when the Giants would retire the side, knowing that Mays would come to the plate during the next Team AB.

Unfortunately Mays played so many yaers in worst baseball field ever erected by man - Candelstick Park.  I remember taking a winter Parka coat to night games in July and August, and still freezing my all night.

I truly believe the wind and the cold of that park cost Mays over 100 HR's lost, throughout his career.

The outfield fence when the Park was first opened, was 420 to CF with a 15 ft high cyclone fence.  NOBODY hit a HR to CF then.

I do remeber Mays taking two and three steps UP the Cyclone fence to cath balls though.  Never saw another Outfielder do that.

Mark Stevens, Portland Oregon (Sent Wednesday, July 11, 2007 6:11 PM)

I am only 45 years old but I think Willie Mays is the greatest baseball player that I have ever seen in my lifetime. My father grew up with him in Alabama and would always tell me stories of him when they were children and I would sit for hours listerning to them. Even thought I grew up in Los Angeles I was always a giants fan because of him and how he played the game.

Timothy C. Jemison, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:30 PM)

You really can't say enough good things about Willie Mays, a player who weighed a modest 180 lbs and stood only 5'11", but hit over 600 home runs.  And nobody will say a bad thing about him as a person.  I'm sorry I was too young to appreciate him in his prime.

D. Moore, Hopkinton, MA (Sent Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:55 PM)

Ted, I still think Willie Mays is the greatest player ever. He could hit, hit with power, steal a base back a stolen base really meant something, patrol center field like a gazelle. It's too bad many people in my age group remember him having a hard time in the '73 World Series while playing with the Mets. To me, players like Mays and Harmon Killebrew represented what was really great about the game.

Steve Adams, New Hope, MN (Sent Thursday, July 12, 2007 2:19 AM)

I saw Wille play his first game when he was called up from Minneapolis. It was the NYC Mayor's Trophy game (Yankees vs. Giants). Willie played right field. A ball was hit to his left; he ran toward it; over-ran it and reached back and caught it in his bare right hand. Unbelievable!! The crowd went wild. Whenever Willie got an extra-base hit, his hat would fly off as he rounded 1st base. The crowd loved it, and I think, in response to the crowd, he would do it purposely too get a re-action from the crowd. He would then,typically, stand on 2nd base with a big grin, much to the joy of the fans. Everybody loved Willie, including me who is 4 months his junior.

Walt Lyon, Coconut Creek, FL 33066 (Sent Thursday, July 12, 2007 12:53 PM)

Willie Mays truly is the greatest, on AND off the field.  I grew up in S.F., lived in the same general neighborhood as Mr. Mays. (Kids back then knew how to address grown-ups.)  One summer day, as usual, I and friends were playing ball at Julius Kahn Playground, and he came up to us while walking his dog.  He said to call him Willie, and played with us for awhile. He came back on a few occasions, even bringing other Giants (Jim Davenport sticks in my memory.) with him.  Shades of stickball in N.Y.  Sadly for us, he moved after that summer.  Still, a fabulous way ensure a group of Gi'nts fans for life!

Marshall Brown, Seattle, WA (Sent Thursday, July 12, 2007 5:18 PM)

Willie Mays was the greatest player I ever watched. Mickey Mantle would have give him a run for the greatest player if he had not messed up his knee. Ted Williams was the greatest hitter.

Gus Potter, North East, MD (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 6:29 PM)

i saw mays break in with the giants in 1951..after going 0 for 20, he wanted his mgr. leo durocher, to send him back to the minneapolis farm team. durocher said to willie he would be his center fielder ,as long as he (durocher)was managing the giants. Mays first hit was off warren spahn..a home run.nuff said..

lee saldinger northbrook, il ( born and raised in queens ny) (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 11:36 PM)

I watched the interview between Mays, Jeter, and Griffey Jr, it gave me goosebumps. Just to see how in aw and how appreciative both Jeter and Griffey Jr. were to sit and chat with him shows what what kind of baseball players they are. They respect the ones who came before them and thats why they will also both be hall of famers. I am only 24 and never saw Mays play but as a baseball fan I appreciate what he stood for and what me meant to the game.

Shaun McCoy, Rootstown, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, July 17, 2007 6:40 PM)

Nobody to this day ever played the game of baseball like Willie Mays. He was my idol growing up in Detroit. My biggest thrill as a baseball fan was going to the 1971 All-Star game in Detroit with my Dad and seeing Willie Mays in person. He was past his prime at that time, but I didn't care. He didn't get a hit or make a great catch, but seeing him in person was the highlight of my childhood. He was like a coach on the field, moving and positioning the other outfielders. His unique style, the basket catch, his running style and the way he engrossed himself into the game, makes him the greatest player to ever play this great game.

Thomas Ross, Atlanta, Ga (Sent Thursday, July 19, 2007 4:22 AM)

Would always try to see a Giants game at Connie Mack Stadium growing up in Philly.  Best part of the evening was watching Mays and McCovey "thrill" the crowd - not during batting practice but when they were having fun "playing" at infield practice with Mays playing shortshop and McCovey the second baseman.  Watching them have "fun" turning a phantom double play flipping the ball behind their back and over their heads before one of them would fire to first was a joy to behold and makes me smile now just thinking about it.  Yeah, Willie Mays was the best and for all of those who watched him when he was on base at the All-Star game that one time when he made the American League All-Star pitcher so nervous everyone of those All-Stars at that game also knew that Mr. Mays was also the best.  Willie did it all, hit for average, hit with power, fielded his centerfield position with a passion, and would run like the wind.  He was and still is the best baseball player ever.

Paul Strauser, Fort Worth, Texas (Sent Friday, August 17, 2007 5:29 PM)

The very first game I ever went to was between the New York Giants and the Chicago Cubs in Chicago. I don't remember the year or the final score . The only thing I remember about the game was that Willie Mays got picked off of first base .  Is there anyone who can tell me anything about that game . Thank you

William Belt , Creve Coeur , Illinois , (Sent Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:41 AM)

Willie Mays a.k.a the say hey kid is one of the rawest sickest baseball player who could ever live.I'm telling theres no other baseball player like him.

dave reickorde,detriot,mich (Sent Monday, May 19, 2008 12:05 PM)



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