New York Yankees’ Post

This one hurts. Anyone who appreciates the game's history understands how much he meant to it. As great of a ball player as he was (and he was the best), he was an even better human being. I can see the pictures of him playing stickball with the local kids in Harlem right before he drove to the Polo Grounds to play a game. It was the golden era of baseball in NYC. Mikey, Duke, and the best of them all, The Say Hey Kid. We love you, Willie. God Bless.... 🙏🏽❤️

I grew up in that era, Baseball became just about my whole life when I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, all we did was play Baseball and either love the Yankees, or the Dodgers ,or the Giants. I spent many many days arguing who was better of the three centerfielders in New York, Mays Mantle or Snieder. I was lucky to grow up in Washington Heights, sports was everything we did and Baseball was number one, to be a great Baseball player made you a kids hero back then. Those three players in one city made it unreal. I use to go to Yankee Games when I was young maybe between 1956 to the early 1960s, I would wait to the wee hours to get to see Mantle walk out the side door with the other players his Gold caddy with the Texas plates across the street. he was my guy, my best friend loved Willie, I spent many days and nights arguing who was better Mantle or Mays fights almost broke out , I was lucky to play pro Baseball and I know the reason was those great players of the era inspired me to play everyday in the schoolyard or ballfield. Mickey has been gone for some time and now with Mays leaving us that era of the greatest game ever invented comes to a close but the memories that all of us have will never die,

Growing up in Brooklyn as a diehard Yankees fan - I have an appreciation for the legendary "New York golden years" we heard about when it was the Yanks, Dodgers, and Giants all within a stone's throw of each other. In my home, I have a poster I cherish with Mantle, Snider, and Mays all together in centerfield. What a time it must have been. RIP say hey kid.

My 2 brothers and I waited on line at the grand opening of the Willie Mays Sporting Goods store in early 80’s in New Dorp Staten Island NY—thrilled to meet him, get autographs and still remember the larger than life smile! Please DM if anyone out there happened to be there or happens to be from that area. While my dear elder brother is no longer with us, he taught us the love of the game & much like Willie, he excelled in every sport he played. Baseball & the Pinstripes—still remains that one constant in so many of us!

Arguably the best era in any sport. There was no internet or cell phones, and the NFL and NBA were trying to catch up to MLB's popularity. We witnessed some of the greatest legends: Hank Aaron, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Ernie Banks, and of course, the Say Hey Kid. Willie Mays was the first mainstream Black superstar since the color barrier wasn't broken until 1947 and is considered the greatest all-around player ever. He won 12 Gold Gloves (tied for first all-time) and is the only player in MLB history to hit .300 for his career with 300 homers and 300 steals. What I would give to have a time machine to see him play in person. RIP, Mr. Mays.

The first game I ever went to - at Ebbets Field - Willie Mays had a HR, triple and double. I proudly display in my home an autographed photo of "The Catch".

🕯️☮️💔 I remember the last season I played. I went home after a ballgame one day, lay down on my bed, and tears came to my eyes. How can you explain that? It's like crying for your mother after she's gone. You cry because you love her. I cried, I guess, because I loved baseball, and I knew I had to leave it. Willie Mays In 1950, when the Giants signed me, they gave me $15,000. I bought a 1950 Mercury. I couldn't drive, but I had it in the parking lot there, and everybody that could drive would drive the car. So it was like a community thing Willie Mays I was very fortunate to play sports. All the anger in me went out. I had to do what I had to do. If you stay angry all the time, then you really don't have a good life. Willie Mays

Willie Mays is by far The Greatest Baseball Player of All Time. He could just about do anything on the field. Off the he was also Legendary. Play stick ball with kids and buying them ice cream. He will never, ever be forgotten. It's just an incredibly sad loss for MLB and across The Nation. Rest well Willie Mays 💔😢🙏 Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente & Derek Jeter. I wouldn't change My TOP 3 for any reason.

Growing up in the New York City area, I had two baseball hero's, Mickey and Willie. They were the perfect players. Countless arguments on who was better. When we lost Mickey, there was no argument as to who the GREATEST LIVING PLAYER was. What I have learned over the years, is how much better Willie was as a person. Thinking of the memories of the Golden Era of Baseball still puts a smile on my face. Thank you, Willie, for part of my childhood.

Starting with the New York BASEBALL Giants at the ole Polo Grounds. This is from an ole Jersey City boy who remembers the Polo Grounds, Ebbetts Field, and seeing him play against the Dodgers when my family moved to Southern California, and at Candlestick Park in the Bay Area when I moved as a young adult to Oakland California.