RIP, Willie Mays, one of baseball’s greatest players: Letters to the Editor — June 21, 2024

San Francisco Giants' Willie Mays poses for a photo during baseball spring training in 1972. AP

The Issue: The passing of legendary San Francisco Giants’ center fielder Willie Mays.

Sadly, Willie Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants have confirmed Mays’ death (“Say goodbye to the Kid,” June 18).

He died right before Juneteenth, at the age of 93.

Mays went home to heaven for the greatest Juneteenth celebration ever.

Rest in peace, our beloved baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays.

This incredible center fielder made a major difference in sports and culture as one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Arthur L. Mackey Jr.

Roosevelt

New York City during the 1950s had a three-way rivalry between the American League’s New York Yankees and the National League’s New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

All three teams claimed to have the best center fielder in baseball.

On street corners all over town, folks would argue whether the Giants’ Willie Mays, the Yankees’ Mickey Mantle or the Dodgers’ Duke Snider was champ.

Most everyone could afford a ticket.

Hot dogs, beer and other refreshments were reasonably priced.

People sat outside on the neighborhood stoops listening to games on the radio.

Baseball fans would also look for their favorite sports writer in the morning, midday and late-afternoon newspaper editions, available at thousands of newsstands.

Television was a relatively new technology.

Willie Mays was a living link to that golden age of baseball.

I was sad to learn of his passing.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

Willie Mays quite possibly was the greatest to ever grace a ballfield.

Surely he was the best I ever saw play the game and my memory bank includes Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente.

But none of them could do all the things that Willie did and with such infectious, child-like exuberance that made him fans everywhere.

If there’s a field of dreams in the hereafter, you can be sure Willie Mays will be chasing after fly balls for the remainder of eternity — and catching every damn one of ’em, too.

Bob Ory

Chicago

All told, Willie was a two-time MVP, a 24-time All-Star, a 12-time Gold Glover, a selection as one of baseball’s Greatest Living Players in 2015 and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom that same year.

Plus, just as his career was ascending, Willie served his country in the Army in 1952 and 1953.

And yet his incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching Willie Mays dominate the game.

We will never forget this true Giant on and off the field.

I extend my deepest condolences to Willie’s family, his friends across the game of baseball and his countless admirers across the world.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Willie Mays left an indelible mark with his extraordinary talent.

His legacy will inspire generations to come.

Rest in peace, Willie Mays.

Martin Blumberg

Melville

I had the privilege of seeing the “Say Hey Kid” at the tail end of his career when he was a New York Met.

He blasted a two-run homer off the Phillies’ ace Steve Carlton in the eighth inning on May 21, 1972 before a Sunday Bat Day crowd of over 57,000 at Philly’s Veterans Stadium.

Tom Seaver bested Carlton, 4-3.

As an 11-year-old, I had a nosebleed seat but it didn’t matter.

Mays’ leadership prevailed and he helped the Mets reach the World Series the following season.

Godspeed, Willie.

Matt Engel

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The Post Editorial Board’s tribute evoked powerful childhood memories (“Willie Mays, 1931-2024,” June 20).

I saw Willie Mays play at the Polo Grounds during the early 1950s when I was in junior high school.

His skills, speed and savvy on the field blew me away.

He played in an era when Major League Baseball was truly a field of dreams.

Among all the “Boys of Summer,” Mays shined the brightest.

I’m glad his number was retired.

We will never see a player like him again.

Richard Reif

Queens

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