Watch Hall of Famer Willie Mays in Action - MLB Tonight

In honor of Willie Mays' 90th birthday, Harold Reynolds takes you through his playing style and why he was so special.
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[@stever1791]

Willie was The Greatest of All Time. Get out of the way Ruth, Cobb, Aaron,and others Willie is The GOAT

[@maninthemiddle55]

I love to see the joy in Harold’s face just talking about Willie because that’s what Willie was about first and foremost: joy.

[@marireynolds3996]

The gentleman from Alabama ❤ WILLIE MAYS 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@raychellejones1514]

I love WILL MAYS HE IS STILL MY HERO

[@stumarston6812]

My dad would say "Mantle was my favourite. Mays was the best".

[@treygray2817]

Mantle peaked higher than Mays. Mays is still better due to longevity.

[@stumarston6812]

@@treygray2817 Mantle could hit longer HR's and he was faster. Everything else was advantage Mays.

[@treygray2817]

@@stumarston6812 Mantle's '56 and '57 seasons are better than any Mays had. As previously stated Mays is more valuable in aggregate.

[@treygray2817]

@@stumarston6812 Was Muscles really faster?

[@stumarston6812]

@@treygray2817 You're comparing apples to Volkswagens. You can't compare the two without taking their ballparks into consideration. Candlestick was a KILLER stadium for RH hitters. It was so bad that Mays would intentionally go to the opposite field. Mantle had a 295? right field pole with a waist high wall. It was perfect for him. You wouldn't compare the numbers of someone who plays in Turner Field against someone who plays in Coors Field without talking about the stadiums. So why would you do it with Mays and Mantle?

[@kennethrobinson7177]

This footage is amazing

[@OakHillSoulman]

Perfected basket catch while in army because it was fun!

[@BluesHiroshima]

Right. Several articles mention that he learned it from Al Fortunato, a fellow outfielder on his US Army team at Fort Eustis, VA. RIP Willie 💔🙏🏿

[@georgestevens1502]

I grew up in San Mateo from 1958-68, ages 6 to 16. Saw my first major league game at Candlestick in 1960. While most talk about Wille is around the home runs and the Wertz catch, my biggest pleasure was just watching him play centerfield every game, either televised away games or going to Candlestick. There was a free bus ride from Burlingame and bleachers seats were like 90 cents. When Willie took the field every innning he didn't jog or run, he sauntered with an easy rhythm like he was gliding. When he ran the bases he was a whirlwind. He made so many great catches and throws it was practically expected of him every game. He always gave it everything he had, every game, every inning. Thanks for the memories Willie, and showing a little boy and a teenager how the world could be enjoyed.

[@MalikMahdi23]

Willie is one of a kind. One of the all time greats. An absolute legend ⚾️❤️

[@emmanuelvacakis4463]

Mays was and still is the best player in baseball

[@marireynolds3996]

WILLIE MAYS was a true gentleman from the very start. Forget all the rest! Including Hank Aaron.

[@WSenator1]

One thing I've wondered about the fabulous Willie Mays, involving the 1954 World Series catch. The catch itself and the throw back to the infield were miracle enough, but what amazed me as well was the fact that he was able to stop before he hit the outfield wall BETWEEN the catch and the throw. Just Great, Great, Great Player!!

[@jamesmccasland887]

Willie was great. He lost 2 years in Army. Then had to play in Candlestick Park. Without that he would have hit 800

[@danielshays7161]

If you were lucky enough to see him play you know that he was the prototype superstar of all sports.

[@patearly9492]

How absolutely cool! Loved how he cared how about the game and the fans. God bless Willie and everyone

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

Science bless Willie and all of human kind. We are all animals.

[@myronlarimer1943]

Grew up a Cubs fan…. My first trip to Wrigley was a double header against the Giants. I was in awe of Willie Mays. I watched him stroke home runs onto Waveland in BP. He scored on a gapper from first base and took out Randy Huntley at the plate. Loved Banks, Santo and Williams. But Mays is, by far, the best baseball player I have ever had the privilege to see play. “Say Hey, Willie”!

[@robertvanderclock2657]

WILLIE...noone like him....always get tears in my eyes whenever I'm watching any collage of his best plays or best hits or best steals, or...well he did everything fantastic..and with a flair noone had ever seen....the Amazin' Mays. What a player!

[@matthewpredmore6523]

Willie was one of the all-time greats, easily in the top ten of all around ball players. Now he can have a doubleheader in heaven with some of the others on that roster. Thanks for the memories, Say Hey!

[@timmccafferty8949]

That pic, Ernie Banks was the nicest man, I went to school with his twin son's Joey & Jerry, best short stop of all time, my pic. Willie Mays was the perfect ball player.

[@gold4scott]

Willy Mays was my favorite baseball player when I was growing up. He was an astonishing ALL-AROUND baseball athlete. And Jose Canseco once hit 40 HR's and stole 40 bases in one year. Mays said, "Had I known that it would be a big deal, I would have done it every year. Most important part to me for the MAN....was playing stickball with neighborhood kids, then buying them ice cream, THEN GOING TO THE BALLPARK to play a professional game.

[@LancerJak]

Hands faster than lighting. Vicious swing.

[@skipwatts7394]

My childhood hero.

[@richardayala4356]

I actually saw him drop a ball one time at Candlestick Park! 😊. Greatest player I ever saw play and was my childhood hero! RIP, Willie Mays!

[@BluesHiroshima]

RIP🙏🏿💔 Greatest ever!

[@geraldellison2453]

Mays got the basket catch from Eugene Benson the star right fielder of the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro League and Jackie Robinson's last roomate before he came to the Major Leagues.

[@margaretjiantonio939]

I saw him play at the old Polo Grounds when the Gisnts played the METS. I saw thar 4 homerun game. It was on TV Game of the week.

[@8avexp]

Say hey, Willie!

[@jeffreywilson6809]

He perfected the basket catch in the military

[@daveyvane9431]

Willies make out scene, with tongue, with Angie Dickinson on “Police Woman” is classic.

[@helpmenow7]

Best of all times

[@ryanm1894]

The crack of the bat🔥

[@georgeappleby6868]

I saw willie explain that you can throw the ball in faster because you don't have to bring it down beforehand.

[@cmorris9494]

Rip willie

[@geraldellison2453]

Mays got the basket catch from the great Negro League star Gene Benson, who was Jackie Robinson's last teammate in the Negro League (Caracas, Venezuela).

[@gmanning4881]

g.o.a.t no drugs, no excuses, no bs

[@gimptf9273]

I heard or read his explanation of the basket catch. It had to do with how long it took to throw after. If you catch conventionally you have to wind up for more than a full circle. With a basket catch you might only have about half as far- so it's quicker.

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

Willie has horns because he is a goat. Baseball’s GOAT.

[@charlescharles9625]

Leo Doucher about Mays, Only one baseball player could do all five better than any other, hit, hit with power, run, throw and field.

[@timbrown8038]

Say Hey!😍

[@joemarshall4226]

The basket catch came after a shoulder injury. He was throwoing from low side arm, so it took less time to release the ball if he caught it low.

[@freedomtrucker2332]

Mays ..was the best ..fact ..and ..not only did he serve his country for TWO YEARS ..just coming in to his prime ..but he also played a majority of his career at Candlestick Park …I swear ..he’d have passed Babe AND Hank ..just sayin’ ..

[@marireynolds3996]

They don’t make MEN like WILLIE MAYS anymore 😢

[@marireynolds3996]

And never will.

[@morrison1405]

Hank Aaron was way better.

[@marireynolds3996]

I really liked Hank Aaron growing up watching him until he RETIRED and then Hank lost me as a True Fan .

[@marireynolds3996]

I grew up in Milwaukee when the Braves were still at County Stadium many years ago.

[@morrison1405]

@@marireynolds3996 So you were salty at Hank for retiring? After 23 seasons. We'll that sounds quite odd and weird.

[@philippesauvie639]

Just heard of the death of the say hey kid. Rest in peace Willie Mays the greatest living baseball player no longer.

[@37center]

Forever 'What-If': what if Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio had switched teams for their entire careers. y'think the numbers would'a been different? Similarly, if Willie Mays had played for another team. The only thing that counts in any estimation of a player's greatness is - HOW they played. In that case, Willie Mays is the All-Time CF, starting line-up,forever! AND, I have Mays hitting leadoff just as he did in the 1965 All-Star game, Minnesota. The National League Manager that year said, 'have your best guy hitting first and most'! (Clemente, Aaron, F. Robinson on that team)

[@dougamundson6836]

I agree with you, up to a point. Ted Williams in Yankee Stadium? 700 home runs (easy). DiMaggio? 600 home runs. Aaron anywhere other than Atlanta, 600 or so. Williams gave up YEARS (5 or so) to wars. Give Williams approximately 170 home runs. I LOVE to talk about this stuff. My outfield? Williams in left, Mays in center, Aaron in right. I have doubts about some things in baseball, but NOT about my outfield.

[@Checkmate34851]

The giants were stupid for firing Durocher

[@cliffordyamasaki6169]

Ever hear of aaron doing any community service or giving back? I never have,not one instance. No military service.that crease was from military

[@richardpeetrinpeetrin9817]

Willie Mays's "The Catch" in 1954, is a great catch, don't get me wrong... But former center fielder Jim Edmonds has made many more of those "running towards the wall, over the shoulder" type catches! With all due respect to the great Willie Mays, Jim Edmonds made the most "Over the Shoulders" catches, running and diving for the ball and catching It to! Jimmy Edmonds was probably better than "The Say-Hey Kid," Willie Mays....

[@dougamundson6836]

Jim Edmonds caught long fly balls. Willie Mays caught a LONG line drive. Edmonds can't carry Willies' glove.

[@craigs.t.3321]

Oh…. And one just happened to save a World Series.

[@dougamundson6836]

To think that Edmonds was a better center fielder than Mays? I would sure like to know what you have been smoking. Ang give me some. Please.

[@igraham125]

Missed 2 seasons yea he definitely would've had 800-900 home runs

[@37center]

No, not that many but he CLEARLY would have passed Ruth.

[@pops444_]

Love Willie Mays! But that is an easy ass catch to make it's super overrated.. that being said... Willy was absolutely Amazing! Top 5 players ALL Time

[@droski9615]

"Easy ass catch" ok guy😂😂😂😂😂

[@pops444_]

@@droski9615 Easy af bro

[@pops444_]

@@droski9615 lol I make those plays in my sleep

[@keithleverette8235]

You ain't NEVER covered that much ground on a baseball field and made the play, EVER! Can't compare a damn thing you've EVER done on the diamond to Mays' GREATNESS! So GTFOHWTMFBS!

[@pops444_]

@@keithleverette8235 let's meet up and I'll show you how to make that play look easy..

[@user-dz4ty5tj7q]

Hank was better.

[@chisatofan4769]

Nah

[@37center]

Aaron was considered a lesser player IN HIS TIME! All through the 50s and 60s, Frank Robinson, Clemente, Mantle, Mays were considered better than Aaron. Hank was always moved to Left Field in All_star games in favor of Clemente and Robinson. Then there were other Stars considered of equal or near-equal calibre ... Killebrew, Yastrzemski and Ernie Banks. IN THAT TIME. Aaron garnered more attention as he lasted longer. Also, he never hit long home-runs and never hit 50 home-runs in a season. Even McCovey at 1B was competition for Aaron as SuperStar value.

[@bondsgoat25]

@@37center thank u!!!!!!!!! F***ing finally, another sane person who knows how overrated hank Aaron was Not only were mantle and Mays much better I would put late thirties early 40s Ted Williams as one of the best of the 50s over Aaron Aaron had 1 season in the 50s with a 400 on base percentage, mantle and a .512 on base in 57 and Williams had a .526 that same year (57) at AGE 38!!! Williams also had a .513 on base in 1954 at age 35!!!!

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

But does he know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. That is the question.

[@shanechostetler9997]

We can pray he does, and if he doesn’t, pray that he will!

[@peteacker3633]

Jesus was a huge Mays fan.

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

@@peteacker3633 They never offered to die on a cross to save the world from their sins. If we could earn or fight for our salvation, then there was no need for Christ to die.