Giants Rewind: Willie Mays Hitting Tips

To celebrate Say Hey Kid's birthday listen to legend, Willie Mays, sharing his hitting philosophies in this exclusive footage from the Giants video archive. In his career, Hall of Famer Willie Mays amassed 3283 hits and 660 home runs.
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[@Gdisgust99]

Rest in Peace, Willie. One the greatest to ever do it, possibly the best of all time.

[@LancerJak]

His words is gospel. The best player that ever stepped onto a baseball diamond.

[@LeighMet]

There was this guy George ruth( by the way not a yankee fan)

[@Jacobthekid28]

@@LeighMet Yes. And?

[@LeighMet]

@@Jacobthekid28 well then just brought up Babe Ruth

[@joesmith6038]

@Lobby of Cringe Essential Rip

[@bradscott7943]

@Lobby of Cringe Essential With no offense intended to other baseball greats, IMHO Aaron & Mays might very well be the two best ever. And both are also extraordinary, humble people who treat everyone with kindness, dignity, & respect. Two of God's finest. Thanks, Henry & Willie. ❤

[@nickcurran3105]

Damn, look at the strength in his hands and forearms even at that age. Amazing.

[@USSLKA-116]

I was thinking the same thing. Willi was 55 at this taping.

[@mdarrenu]

he had hands the size of a catcher's mitt

[@patlar]

I think Willie is a baseball genius.

[@Nestor123057]

You think?

[@citizenworld9712]

i think Willie Mays was the best player on the earth. he was too cool to believe. his batting form was best. his catching a ball was beatiful. his running form was so cool. he was the coolest player whom i have ever known. and i am japanese fan of willie mays. sorry if anything wrong in my english.

[@cbanks1980]

Wow. It's like hearing an ancestor. Thanks Mr. Mays

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

1954 best catch ever. 1961 hit 4 homers in one game. R.I.P Mr Mays.

[@shepardbook]

After being sick the night before.

[@joesixtoe6698]

He said his guy was Andre Dawson! Guy I grew up watching, my favorite. Coming from you Willie, it made my morning.

[@timmellin2815]

I heard Andre is now an undertaker. Words made your morning, but now Willie's words make your mourning.

[@zriter59escritor33]

Based on this, Willie was very thoughtful about hitting. Also about playing the game well in general.

[@ashleyroachclip1]

Willie even looked good striking out .here's to you Willie Mays what a Hero and a Legend , thanks willie

[@Integriteees]

I met Willie twice at Bally's in Atlantic City for New Years in the early 90's. He was extremely nice and congenial but my God he had HUGE hands when we shook, it was like I was putting my hand into an infielders glove. 😆

[@zriter59escritor33]

I shook hands with Frank Robinson 37 years ago. His hands were so big that mine vanished 😊

[@timmellin2815]

I was a tiny 12 in 1962 when, on camera day at Dodger Stadium, I had my picture taken w/ Dodger players. I kid you not, Frank Howard put his arm around my shoulder, and the width of his hand stretched the complete distance from my shoulder, down to my elbow !

[@anthonypautin]

God bless Willie Mays!

[@fordsnchevs8012]

RIP to the GOAT

[@andrew-yw3ij]

what a LEGEND!

[@briangulley6027]

Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, the 2 best baseball names ever.

[@johnharms6178]

this was a real treat to listen to- love this guy!

[@edgracia4822]

Say hey, that's some good advice

[@jwsf941]

Happy birthday, Willie. From the outfit, I could tell this was filmed in the 1980s or early 1990s. Hope the Giants have something special planned for your 90th next May 6th

[@Jeffreypark]

Description in video says March 15, 1986.

[@Gdisgust99]

I used these tips with my son and his hitting has gotten so much better in just a few practice sessions. This video should have a lot more than 10k views, it is pure gold. Cover the plate, complete the swing, and be loose until you swing. Thank you for these amazing tips and happy 90th birthday!

[@brucemoeller]

My dad took me to see the SF Giants play at the "stick" in the early 1960's, like 1962-3. I'd heard about the great Willie Mays, and I got to see him play. Offence or defense, he was a genius and an entertainer. Not many had his tools. I'm thankful I got to see him play in those earlier days. Later, I got to meet Juan Marichal. That was prime time for baseball. Willie's not in good health anymore, and his eyesight is gone. I wish Mr. Mays well....he was exciting to watch.

[@mcg1119]

It's amazing how well he remembered so many players' hitting style in such detail.

[@enochy1225]

That was great! Interesting that what Willie shared, my daughter’s softball coaches are preaching the same things for hitting.

[@brandonmedina7646]

Omg this is so old love it!!

[@_shl_6103]

Not a bad quality honestly

[@BruceAChristie]

What a treat to hear tips from my favourite baseball player. Thank you Willie and Giants. ❤️🙏

[@CaesarDarias]

I was just watching a video with Ted Williams talking about hitting. Mr. Mays provided some very similar ideas, especially the points about how to hold the bat and the BIG emphasis on “practice.” Thank you and RIP Mr. Mays.

[@aa697]

The Great Willie Mays RIP 🙏

[@markfletcher8084]

He was a natural. Willie knows baseball.

[@denissparks2133]

The most exciting player that ever played the game. Period.

[@GeToWiz]

The passing of Willie The Great Has reignited my Passion for Americas Fave Pass time. In this Clip you understand that not only was Mr. SaY HeY teaching , he was also a Student of the game first. Acknowledging other good Players/Hitters.

[@Keonelehua]

Thank you for teaching me something new today Willie

[@lupechavez6360]

lets go sf giants!

[@Wolfgodmak]

With what hes talking about, i can really see his specs about the pitch to bat and where the ball is going to go vs where you want to go. Then with the swinging portion, it make sense bc most batters are tense and ends up fouling out, grounding out, or popping out because of how they swing. Some batters have comfort in their swings but overall its not always good. Thank you Willie for your wisdom and greatness on the field.

[@druzo26]

The greatest all round player ever! Legend!!

[@g3everex]

I used to keep watching Willie to see him break Babe Ruths HR record. Then I seen him playing in the all star game then I realized it wasn’t going to happen. My hero had gotten to old to play. Could you image playing in Atlanta instead of San Francisco. So many more HR’s.

[@TheBatugan77]

If Willie doesn't miss part of 52 and all of 53 to the Army, he may have caught The Babe.

[@JB-dc9vo]

Say Hey!

[@dblankenship88]

I love hearing that man speak wise words.

[@stevesmith6685]

Genius... I'm a natural righty but became a switch hitter due to my hero, Mickey Mantle. I played in fast pitch softball leagues in my late teens into my 30s, but I didn't use Mickey's swing. As a lefty I copied another Yankee switch hitter, Roy White. His stance was slightly and he choked up a bit on the bat. Right handed, it was Willie's stance most of the time... but not with the same impact. LOL! (And I read Ted Williams book on hitting that really taught me the strike zone.) Imagine having at least one coaching session with Willie, Ted, Mickey and greats like this. This video is like that. Thanks for posting!

[@spinedoc18]

What year was this made? Willie with a belly...!!!

[@wmpopper]

Fine Man Fine Baseball Player...The Best.

[@GreenTekHaus]

That was totally awesome! I agree with Willie regarding Steve Garvey's swing. Yes, a thing of beauty! So was Mr. Mays' swing, too! 😁 Sent this to my ballplayer son!

[@andaimhineach4131]

This is awesome.

[@monumentofwonders]

One of the reasons why he was the greatest was his baseball I.Q. He could physically and mentally outplay everyone, and do it with style and grace, and bucket loads of fun.

[@patrickgoodman4576]

WOW GOAT

[@michaelrchan]

When Willie Mays endorses Hawk, I'm thinking I'm watching the stuff that is legend.

[@gmanning4881]

words from the master

[@StevenC32]

He is unquestionably the GOAT, he could hit for average, lifetime 302 batting average, he could hit for power 660 home runs, he could run the bases with more than 300 steals. He could play the field too, 12 gold gloves, and a very strong arm from deep center field. I got to see the tail end of his career, but I wished that I got to see him in his prime. Baseball keeps statistics for a reason, because numbers don't lie and back when Willie Mays played the pitcher mound was higher giving the pitcher an advantage over the hitter.

[@dadadrew]

Best ever.

[@zeekman7223]

Fucking legend

[@atlantic_love]

Nice video!

[@larryjr1877]

WILLIE--ALL AROUND BB PLAYER AT GREATEST AND I LIVED IT.THESES PLAYERS TODAY WILLIE ARE NOT PLAYERS.THEY ARE CURSING, POUNDING OF THE CHEST AND WANTS TO FIGHT THE PITCHER IF THE PITCH CAME IN CLOSE.THEY IN REALITY RUINED THE GAME.

[@SolaceEasy]

Happy Birthday Willie! GOAT!

[@BandàpartVideos]

So cool

[@Sanfrancisco2495]

GOAT

[@timmellin2815]

I wonder how Willie would have adapted to all the changing strike zones of today's era. His basic stance to be able to reach anything on the "outside corner of the plate" would be suspect. It wouldn't be his fault; rather, the changing / moving strike zone's fault. But, my guess is the Willie would have adapted some way, somehow, and done a pretty good job of it. Thanks, Mr. Mays ! It's great all this wisdom has been recorded for future players (if they are coachable and will listen.)

[@REALAMERICANMAN531]

When i played softball for fun or whatever ..... everything went to right field... but I of course had all the time in the world 😆 I never once thought of a fastball breaking my hand trying to run it to right field. That's shit is cray..... 😵😳

[@mikeleitner8644]

Sharing to PSSBL page...

[@jarjarbnks340]

Willie taught Barry how to hit.

[@danacoleman4007]

Sweet Jesus! look at the size of his forearms here! is he in his '60s?

[@maninthemiddle55]

Now you tell me! Where was the video 50 years ago when I was 9?

[@호빵맨-m4e]

My God

[@144Donn]

I drink up his words like a thirsty man!

[@glenschunk3995]

If you listen to Willie Mays, you learn!

[@ArtonsRB]

Mays is the greatest player all around. The greatest centerfielder ever is Andruw Jones. Mays said it himself.

[@Sam-u-L-Blax-un]

24

[@connornazzisi2968]

First

[@charlessupp2543]

The Golden Age of Baseball was when YOU were 12😅

[@matane2465]

This showed up in my reccomended after the whole Pelosi whoops.

[@kenshiloh]

What does this guy know about hitting? Who is this guy?

[@Oceanmachine27]

Let me get this straight: you're asking what *Willie Mays* knows about hitting

[@andaimhineach4131]

Ha! Nice.

[@DeclanBradyFilms]

First