There is a lot to remember about Willie Mays. That’s how it goes when one of the all-time greats (probably the all-time great) passes away. Here are some of our favorite memories, tributes, and other bits from last night and today. Apologies if this makes it a hassle, but these are all Twitter links.
- It’s tragic that Mays won’t be able to see an MLB game played at Rickwood Field, the place he debuted as a professional for the Birmingham Black Barons at the age of 17. Here’s his statement from earlier this week, announcing he wouldn’t attend and capturing why this game is so special for baseball history. Here’s the announcement of his passing during last night’s minor league game at Rickwood.
- Mays hit 660 home runs while playing a mean center field. Here’s The Catch. Here’s another one that might be more impressive?
- Mays lived to the age of 93, which put him in contact with many generations of baseball’s greats. Here’s a story from his time playing for Birmingham, batting against Satchel Paige. Here’s CC Sabathia’s memory of meeting Mays for the first time.
- The Giants’ move from the Atlantic to the Pacific happened far enough into Mays’s career that he became a legend on both coasts. Here are little moments from New York and San Francisco. I don’t know why, but the pictures might be my favorite parts. Here are a few more.
- The Giants’ reverence for Mays, still today, speaks highly of them as an organization and even more highly of Mays. Here’s Logan Webb’s reaction to finding out from the pitcher’s mound in the middle of last night’s game. Here’s Dave Flemming struggling to broadcast Webb’s ensuing 1–2–3 inning. (Warning: I have a very hard time listening to the Flemming broadcast without getting choked up myself.)
There is plenty more out there, including more from both Joe and Stuart on our homepage today (and later today). Rest in peace to the man who wrote so much of America’s sports story.
Etc.
- *throat clear*
- *eye wipe*
- *deep breath*
- *mischievous smile*
- “This case has turned into 25 hours of depositions and gobbledygook,” said U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez, marveling at the performances by lawyers on both sides of the Sunday Ticket class-action lawsuit. I have not been following the lawsuit closely. I am not a lawyer. Most of the reason I hope the plaintiffs win is that 1) I enjoy some schadenfreude when the NFL stumbles and 2) I think my friends might buy me beers if they get class-action checks out of this whole thing. But I love any judge saying to a lawyer, Really? This is the best you could do? This should have been so simple for you. Bonus points because Jerry Jones is involved.
- The PGA Tour awarded Tiger Woods a special exemption as a reward for his “exceptional lifetime achievement.” I’d love to see another golfer challenge this. Imagine being the dork who starts whining about missing a cut because Tiger Woods received special treatment. This would be even better if LIV didn’t exist. Patrick Reed’s wife was made for this moment.
- Cameron Brink tore her ACL, and let me be the first to say: When will these professional basketball players quit it with the flopping and the milking of injuries??
- The funniest possible person the Pistons could hire is Dan Hurley. I’m taking no more questions at this time.
