From the archives: Willie Mays, the "Say Hey Kid"

Baseball legend Willie Mays, one of the most talented and beloved players in MLB history, died June 18, 2024 at age 94. In this August 5, 1979 report for "CBS Sunday Morning," Mays talked with correspondent Ray Gandolf about his love for the game on the occasion of being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and participated in Old Timer's Day at Shea Stadium.
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[@JackieDaytona1776]

To say he was a better person than he was a ballplayer...maybe that's true, but if so he must have been one of the best human beings to ever exist.

[@larrylow7452]

My hero now and when I was in junior high school 60 years ago😅

[@maryeliason1504]

Everyone loved him!

[@thomasgalvin4069]

RIP Willie Mays

[@marytheresejacksonlutz2533]

What a decent man! And one of the greatest baseball players. Thank you for sharing this.

[@mostly_insane2291]

I was too young to remember his final playing years but based on all the footage I’ve seen of him, he was one of the greatest. “The Catch” amazes me every time I see it.

[@OmahaJames1013]

I loved him I spent time away from others at work today weeping about the loss felt shame but I don't care what others think

[@CeePeeDee7190]

There is no shame in loving one of the greatest ball players of all time, and an outstanding human being.

[@moonbear5061]

I wept too. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed!!

[@GrimeyGut]

No need for shame especially if he was a influential figure to you, its human.

[@gregattanasio3185]

What a KIND, HUMBLE MAN...TX YOU WILLIE. YOU WILL.BE MISSED

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

He had grace, on and off the field.

[@clifftanton8385]

Baseball had a love affair with this man thats how legendary this man his the greatest player who has ever lived period

[@user-ck7ki5ju9w]

the greatest 5 tool player in Baseball

[@cynthiastines8918]

RIP, SAY HEY KID

[@timmclain5576]

What a true class act.

[@davidluckens3479]

Fresco Thompson of the Dodgers front office remarked ,"Willie Mays glove is where triples go to die"-Mays afield had to be seen,to be believed-Back in '54,"before ESPN highlights were even dreamed of,"The Catch" was shown over and over on TV,because it was so amazing,so truly magical-Folks in NYC who didn't even care about baseball were enthralled by that play -Rest in Power,Willie Mays.

[@UncleSam-USofA]

A true legend and great human rip

[@micnak3574]

The closest thing to Willie Mays is Ken Griffey, Jr. They can both run, play defense in the center field, hit for average, and hit for power. RIP Willie.

[@Pittie21]

Say HEY

[@lankytor6396]

I’m honored to have met him when I was eleven years old at candlestick 😊 he treated everyone so nice. A lot of baseball players were grumpy. Willie treated everyone like he knew us forever 😊

[@vernelledouglas1801]

Baseball isn't that popular in the Southern Caribbean islands but I've heard Mr. Mays' name mentioned several times. This made me want to learn more.

[@chriswalls5831]

My new idea statue or stadium named after him

[@Me97202]

Sorry. America only names its stadiums after corporations.

[@kellykarcher7179]

Interesting to see the home plate umpire shake Willie's hand in that last clip of him hitting a homer. That's extremely unusual! I wonder if that homer was a milestone or just another trip around the bases?

[@paulazmudzinski9225]

I'd guess it was home run number 600. -mikenotpaula.

[@kellykarcher7179]

@@paulazmudzinski9225 Nope. Home Run #600 was in San Diego. Willie hit it over the LF wall. This homer looks like it was at Candlestick Park.

[@anynamez7048]

ITS A PARTY, COME EARLY

[@boomerang8909]

He reminds me of another Alabamian, Sir Charles Barkley, with that Southern accent.

[@melreslor2114]

Also from Alabama (Mobile) was Henry Aaron. Was almost teammates with Mays as the NY Giants offered Aaron a contract. Aaron says the Boston Braves offered $50 a month more so he took that. By the time Aaron made the majors the team moved to Milwaukee.

[@davanmani556]

At that point, the divorce really took a lot of his money.