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WILLIE MAYS is arguably the best player to ever put on a baseball uniform. He was the epitome of what sportswriters now describe as a five-tool player. WILLIE MAYS hit for average and power, ran the bases with intelligence and speed, played a spectacular centerfield, and possessed a great arm. He was also remarkably durable, playing in at least 150 games for 13 consecutive seasons.

MAYS had a habit of addressing his fellow players with a high-spirited “say hey” greeting, which prompted his nickname as the Say Hey Kid. An exuberant player during his earlier days in New York, he became a folk hero by playing stickball with children in the streets that bordered the Polo Grounds stadium. My grandfather was at the Polo Grounds when WILLIE made that mythical legendary catch. My granddad equated him to watching JULIUS ERVING or MICHAEL JORDAN because they were so good you would be scared that if you took your eyes away for a second you might miss something magical.

During the 1950’s there were many a fistfight on the New York City streets because of the debate as to who was the best centerfielder. Was it DUKE SNIDER of the Brooklyn Dodgers, MICKEY MANTLE of the New York Yankees or WILLIE MAYS. My granddad always rolled with WILLIE. He and the rest of the city were heartbroken when the Giants packed their bags for San Francisco.

No matter where WILLIE played ball he was the star attraction. As his career winded down he returned to New York and played for the Mets. The most important thing that I respect about WILLIE MAYS is his pride and his humility. MAYS began his career playing in the segregated Negro Leagues. He even lost two years from the prime of his baseball career to serve in the United States military. And that is one stat that MICKEY and the DUKE can’t match.