Rich Eisen Reflects on Willie Mays’ Historic Impact on Major League Baseball | The Rich Eisen Show

Rich Eisen reflects on the passing of baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays.
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[@lexis4490]

Our legends are passing away now.

[@chriscollins1525]

Grew up in SF. He swamped the city with such baseball mania in the 60s that it still fills me with nostalgia…and now…sweet sadness.

[@WarrenRoddy]

On Halloween we’d hike up to Willie Mays’ house when he lived in SF during the 60s. Every year he would open the door with a huge basket of Double Bubble gum. He’d let us each grab a handful, two if you were really little. The greatest, all around.

[@MikeCee7]

That’s pretty cool. I’m just curious if all these great baseball players, actually lived in the city center, or in the fancy suburbs? I always wondered if Babe Ruth lived in the South Bronx? (as that was one of that worst neighborhoods in America in when I used to go to Yankee stadium in the 70s and 80s) But then again, most people didn’t have automobiles in the 1920s & 30s when Ruth played. So they had to live very close to the stadium. (or subway/mass transit line)

[@WarrenRoddy]

@@MikeCee7 Mays lived on Mendoza in SF and had a nice house in the hills with views. He moved to the “rich” neighborhood of Atherton south of SF in the 70s.

[@MikeCee7]

@@WarrenRoddy Thanks for info. I was only in San Francisco once, and that was back in 1988. My friend had a studio apartment for $550 a month, in Knob Hill. I’m sure that same place is probably $3,000+ a month now. (if not much higher( - I’m not with the neighborhoods & suburbs of SF. But good for Willie to be able to move into the posh neighborhood. (I’m sure that wouldn’t be allowed back in the 50s)

[@noreligion2]

Thank You Rich!! As a 68 year old San Francisco Giants fan who got to see Willie play, you did him justice!! Once again you proved that you are a Wonderful Human Being

[@monumentofwonders]

I did see him - on TV. No one like him ever, power, speed, could do it all, but the grace, the style, the shear beauty of his every day play were unforgettable. He was the greatest player ever.

[@EntrepreneurwithRA]

Hey my man, I saw him a lot on KTVU channel 2 when I was living in San Jose. I remember so many times I would be watching him live on TV, especially when the Giants played the hated LA Dodgers in Los Angeles. What nobody is saying is a vital piece of the magnificence of how great and influential Willie was. When the Dodgers PA announcer would begin to announce "Now batting, number 24, center fielder, Willie Mays!' The Dodgers home crowd would erupt in enthusiastic applause for Willie every time he came to bat! this wasnt a one time occurance, but every time he came to bat over the years I saw him play the Dodgers away on their home field, the crowd would go crazy for Willie! He was and always will be one of the Greatest, transcendent players who changed the game forever, and I was privileged to see him play at Candlestick park in SF as a young boy!!! He is the Greatest Center Fielder and all around player MLB has ever had play the game............

[@gualbertogarcia305]

The GREAT Willie Mays “THE SAY HEY KID” Thanks for the MEMORIES.

[@DD-sr9xm]

My grandma was born in 1900. She was a baseball fanatic. She lived in NYC and went to tons of games at the polo grounds and yankee stadium. She saw all the greats live. There was no doubt in her mind that Willie Mays was the best all around player ever. That he was the most fluid graceful player ever. When he would steal second, he got such a great jump, the catchers often wouldn’t even throw the ball to second. Just toss it back to the pitcher.

[@Jimmy82102000]

They truly don’t make them like this anymore 😢

[@TheStuport]

I should like to think that "The Catch"....that over the shoulder catch from the 1954 World Series would be the perfect MLB Logo! Willie Mays was Pure class on and off the Diamond!

[@anthonyblakely399]

Our legends are passing on now! Sweet Willie Mays R.I.P.

[@jeffreyedwards220]

Great Eulogy by Rich Eisen. Remembering a great athlete. Rich Eisen is in a class all by himself.

[@andrewbird57]

I grew up in Nor Cal, at age 5 in 1962 my dad took to me to my first MLB game at Candlestick. I remember him pointing out Willie Mays. Many decades later I worked for the state Legislature at the Capitol in Sacramento. Willie was a frequent guest, I got to shake his hand a few times. When he was introduced on the floor of the Assembly and Senate, politicians from both sides of the aisle would flock over to meet him. One of the few times the Dems and Republicans did something in unison.

[@markstack1783]

Great job Rich. I’m 77 and remember being so lucky to watch some of these MLB great legends of the game and Willie Mays was at the top of my list. Growing up in Chicago at the time I could go to Wrigley or old Comiskey and see them play. None more amazing than Willie Mays.

[@edwinserrano1070]

I love a story that Bob Costas shared on MLB Tonight about the day Bob Gibson showed up to Willie's house ... Gibson was wearing glasses...Costas using a Willie voice, "You wear glasses??? You're gonna kill someone!" RIP Willie... Puerto Rico loves you for playing here in 1954-55 with our beloved Roberto Clemente...QEPD (que en paz descance)

[@grovepeate3316]

I grew up on L.I. and he was my favorite player of all time.I became a NY Giants fan because of him.We argued as kids who was the best center fielder in New York.Mays, Mantle or Duke Snider.When they went west my heart was broken.When the Mets brought him back, it was broken again to watch him fail.The say hey kid is playing in his field of dreams.R.I.P. Willie.

[@rustyturner431]

Many years ago I had the humbling privilege to interview, in a 3-day stretch, first Teddy Ballgame, then Willie and Mickey, then Aaron and Koufax. You talk about being made to realize how little I'd done in my life...and I was a pretty accomplished guy! All 5 were gracious and mostly humble (a surprise from Ted Williams, because I'd heard so much about his arrogance...but I did not see that side of him), but Willie had a sparkle that no other ballplayer I ever met could claim. Ali had the same twinkle and laugh, but with more of an edge. The system had treated Willie better than it had Ali, and Ali had resentments from it. The most telling comment came from Mickey, "Man, if I could have stayed whole and healthy, we could have shared some real battle time..." Amen, brother. Imagine you're an upright, believing fellow and you wind up at the pearly gates. St Peter welcomes you and says that, in heaven, you are to be the big league manager you always wished to be. And, to start your team, you can pick one of two players, Mays or Mantle. But, if God decides you've chosen wrong, it's off to hell with you. Your only comment is, "Can I take the player with me and start a team down there...we'll kick your holy asses!!"

[@raymondhoagland4976]

What a player Willie Mays was , he could do it all ! RIP Mr. Mays, thank you for the great memories ⚾💙🌹 !

[@marklozano493]

Thanks, Rich. The very first ballgame my dad took me to was the Giants vs. the Pirates. I was 5 years old, so it would have been 1968. I don't remember much about the game, but... I do remember my dad leaning over and saying... "Son, you'll always be able to say you watched Willie Mays hit a home run." It's been a rough year... lost my dad in January. Willie was his favorite player, so by association, that made Willie the favorite for our whole family. I'm so sad the world lost Willie... but I'm glad my dad gets to say hello and thank Willie for all the thrills.

[@douglasennis7291]

In 1965 a 9 year old me saw Willie Mays hit 2 homeruns vs the Mets at Shea stadium. The image of his swing and famous follow through is for 5:16 ever imprinted in my minds eye. It was the 1st game I ever went to ... Magic ✨ RIP ⚾🧢

[@timothywayne3813]

I remember watching the Giants and the Padres in San Diego on opening day when Willie hit a home run in the first inning. The crowd gave him a standing ovation which pissed off the Padres owners. Now he's probably playing stickball somewhere on cloud nine with his former teammates who went before him. RIP Willie.

[@michaelkraus4135]

VIN SCULLY said MAYS was the best baseball player He Ever Saw.

[@1991pony]

Can there be any higher praise? I don't think so. Growing up in the S.F. bay area in the 60's, Willie Mays was the one player who made me fall in love with baseball, back when the game was still pure. I shed a tear when I heard of his passing. Godspeed Willie.

[@Bdub1952]

The first baseball game I attended was in 1962 with my dad and two younger brothers at Candlestick Park. I was ten. The same talented team that ultimately went to the World Series, only to lose to a line drive that even Stretch McCovey couldn't reach. And thus began my lifelong identity as a Giants fan. Through the bad years and the good years (thanks, Boch), they are my team. RIP Willie, there will never be another you.

[@diggitydog412]

you do an amazing job with these tributes. I always come to watch what you have to say. Well said once again. RIP to the Say Hey kid. There will never be another one like him.

[@MrStuDubb]

Nobody better. He missed 2 full seasons and still clobbered 660 home runs. An even better fielder.

[@shackdaddy7106]

He did not miss two full seasons. He did play 34 games in 1952 before he was drafted.

[@MrStuDubb]

@@shackdaddy7106 No. you’re not right.

[@user-ci5sf5qj2k]

I grew up in the Bay Area in the late 50's thru 70's and got to see Willie play many times in freezing Candlestick Park. Thanks for the beautiful memories Willie.

[@kevinmosher6027]

Well done Rich. The most beloved athlete in SF history. RIP #24 “ Say Hey Kid”

[@godschild3341]

Thank You Rich Eisen , for this amazing lesson in AMERICAN HISTORY. The nation needs this. The Best way to honor these great Legends is to share these wonderful memories with the world 👏🏾😌

[@jodyesperanza657]

As a child, I could intuit that Willie was a worthy idol, as an adult I came to realize just how special a ball player and person Willie was. Blessings to his family and to all of us who feel this loss personally.

[@rejean2744]

The way the man moved on the baseball field you knew you were watching someone special. You knew you were a witness to greatness.

[@wwpjd28]

I can't believe he only won one WS and 2 MVPs. Not nearly as much accolades as the man and career merited. RIP Mays!!! One of the absolute best of all time

[@robertwagner2733]

Willie Mays was the Greatest player I've ever seen. So much talent and class. Could do anything on a ball field.

[@ShawnC.T.]

The current MLB logo is of the late HOF player, Harmon Killerbrew...🙂

[@pytube777]

Although, it looks like him but according to the designer, it was not based on any specific player. Time to make it look like Mays.

[@colindempsey470]

1 of like 5 players in the GOAT argument.

[@steveo8043]

RIP - An absolute LEGEND

[@robertd.7060]

The LAST of our OLD time greats is now gone .He was the last one . We have lost a bunch of them the past 5 years . RIP , Willie " say hey kid " Mays .

[@JAMwithGeo]

I was 8 years old when I watched the 1973 All Star game, alongside my dad. Mays and my dad were born the same year. My dad praised Willie’s greatness and I studied his stats, while marveling at how complete a ballplayer he was. I’d pick him first if I was selecting my position players for First Team.

[@laconfidential8504]

We lost a true icon, Willie Mays was the greatest all around baseball player ever but he was a larger than life figure who transcended the sport even. Very sad for him to pass away just before this week’s game in Birmingham, but he lived an absolutely amazing life. Now that game will serve as a celebration of his greatness on and off the field.

[@nachogames6562]

I thought the MLB logo was already Harmon Killibrew?

[@amindfulemergence9835]

I'm a life long Yankee fan...and loved Mays IMO the GOAT in terms of all around player.

[@WilliamFWhaley-uy2rw]

You can’t say “ Willie Mays” without smiling.

[@rorygay3529]

I saw Willie at candlestick Park several times, my family living 80 miles away, so trips to the CITY were annual. What a beautiful park, except at night. Hank Aaron, Roberto clemente, Willie maccovey. And pitchers threw 9 innings.

[@stormbringercoming8105]

You are the first person whose comment stated that Candlestick Park was beautiful.

[@glennc8991]

My first game I ever went to was the Phillies and the Giants at Connie Mack Stadium. Willie was in center. He was cheered and you know how tough Philly fans are on their opponents and even on their own teams. Phillies won on a walk off grand slam by Tony Taylor. A great first game to go to.

[@GregHalvorson]

Rest In Peace to the great Willie Mays, one of the top three - with Babe Ruth and Joe Dimaggio - greatest names in baseball history… That's my opinion, of course, but I think it's true - Willie Mays, the Say Hey Kid, was the soul of baseball, the personification of the game, the distillation of grass, the cut diamond, the smell of hot dogs, and the cry, "PLAY BALL!" ⚾ 😍 ⚾

[@rawmeseesoundsavvvy170]

Bill Russell, Jerry West, and now Willie Mays 😔 Rest in Paradise to these legends 🙏🏾

[@buckbenelli8]

Well said Rich.

[@climbnride58]

I was a big fan of the LA/SF rivalry in the 60s.

[@patrickmoreau7592]

He was one of the greats without a doubt

[@jimough2441]

THE BEST EVER!

[@killahnoez]

Wow! ⚾️ 🔥 👏🏽 🙏🏽

[@jamesduran3804]

That was nice, Rich.

[@pezjme]

Mays is the GREATEST Giant ever and one of the All Time greats in the history of Baseball.

[@tgbedini]

Willie's greatness transcended barriers. My dad was a normal racist, but he would tell admiring stories about Mays, and his skill and love for the game. We would watch on black and white TV, and root for him every time.

[@Yankee1001-uk7oc]

One of the greatest ever, period. My favorite hitter of all time is Hank Aaron, with Ted Williams as a "1 and 1A." But there's no doubt Willie Mays is the better all-around player than anyone you can compare him to.

[@claudemayers]

Don't forget the throw component of the 1954 WS catch. willie knew he had to get the ball back in ASAP because Larry Doby the first Negro player in the American League, was so fast he might score/tag-up/reach home safely on the play -- score possibly all the way from 2nd base. But Willie whipped that throw back in. Catch/Throw all in one beautiful motion and Doby never scored, the mighty Clevelend Indians lost game one and the Giants took the series in a major upset. The Giants' Willie Mays the hero -- and the best player of all time. My opinion. And many many others'. Love You Willie!!!!!!!!

[@cookdb1]

Watched him play at Seal Stadium.

[@proto-geek248]

I had some Willy cards from late 60s to early 70s, back in the day, and he was always #1 pick when doing a Strat-o-matic All-Star game. Good times.

[@Zane_Zaminsky]

My all-time favorite athlete in any sport. Grateful that I saw most of his historic career. Greatest ball player I ever saw. RIP, Mr. Mays. Thank you for all of the wonderful memories. 🥹

[@OakHillSoulman]

Such a shame he played before interleague play and in a day when you were lucky to maybe see him on the Saturday afternoon game of the week or in the All Star game. I lived in D.C. so I only to got see American League teams, so even though I was old enough to see Mays play I never got to truly appreciate his genius as a player. He was so much greater than the sum of his parts. Best all-around player ever. And a great human being as well.

[@JuanTorres-hv5ig]

H. Aaron, W. Mays, & J. Robinson were iconic Ambassadors of the Negro League.

[@johnfarr2738]

We are losing all the greats in sports😢 I know that’s life but it’s sad to see all the greats pass on.

[@davidholt2960]

He was my hero!

[@jaredwestMV]

RIP #24 🤎🖤

[@freakbennett2263]

One of the Greatest, jűs sāyīn !😎✌️😎!

[@Taranaki66]

I was privileged to see Willie Mays in person. I am not sure how good he was. I only saw him at Wrigley against the Cubs and he destroyed them. He was one of three players who were phenomenal versus the Cubs. The other two were Roberto Clemente and Mike Schmidt. All these icons of my childhood are leaving.

[@wheelerainslie6]

Excellent commemoration--Willie was one of a kind, for sure. But he wasn't the first 30-30 player. Ken Williams of the St. Louis Browns did it in the early 1920s. He might have even done it twice.

[@LBlucher13]

Everyone talks about "The Catch" which was the best I've ever seen, but forgotten by most is "The Throw" that followed that catch. There were runners on 1st and 2nd and neither advanced because Mays after making the catch wheeled and threw a bullet back to the infield. RIP Willie.

[@andrewbird57]

Yep. If you talked to Willie Mays about that play, he was more proud of the throw than the catch.

[@grovepeate3316]

Your absolutely correct on that.

[@arkangelarkangel1302]

The say hey kid... legend... Cooperstown was built for guys like Willie Mays... HE WAS IN THE ARMY FOR 2 YEARS, DURING THE KOREAN WAR... THEY DO NOT EVER AGAIN MAKE THEM LIKE THEY USED TOO.

[@terrydizzydude4087]

Along with Maris and Mantle, one of the pioneers of PEDs in baseball.

[@chrissinclair4442]

Before Barry Bonds was allegedly on the juice, it was shaping up for Bonds to be the best 30/30 man ever.

[@scottvaughn9]

Say hey!

[@catherinewilliams9680]

A shot of Willie Mays catching a would be home run- THAT should be the MLB Logo

[@geraldellison2453]

Mays got the basket catch from the great right fielder of the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro League: Gene Benson (who was Jackie Robinson's last roommate in the Negro League).

[@jasonmartin5154]

Say Hey!😢

[@rodolfoleyva5157]

If not for the war, he would have had more than 700 HR

[@pytube777]

Or not play at Candlestick park with its windy days blowing in.

[@kennethcamilleri4678]

Many baseball experts believe that Pete Rose is the icon of the MLB logo that Rich was describing….

[@user-dv3do1od2r]

Sponsored by DraftKings

[@pytube777]

It’s widely speculated that it resembled Killebrew.

[@richardconnelly934]

Willie Mays was the best 5 tool player, but he was more - 6 tool, mental BB skill.

[@ORagnar]

RIP Willie... :-( o

[@OmahaJames1013]

Willie was something I mean Hank said the greatest player ever and the greatest man not one mean bone in Willie's body

[@amihays7449]

MLB has a logo and hit is harmon killebrew. Please do ur research

[@jonncockrell3606]

Baseball was the Babe, Willie and the Mick. Baseball is gone to me. And so are they.

[@BPe-ie9je]

what year did he retire?

[@michaelbaucom4019]

After the 1973 season

[@jimough2441]

1973

[@scottiei]

1973

[@cryptobradley2006]

Little leager here 1961.....Mays The Mick and the Duke.....San Diego PCL..living a great life...7 and 24 nothing better

[@nanoRat]

After Willie made that historic catch, he threw a strike to second base without even looking.

[@mjcruiser4238]

Watch all of his great catches -if was going to make the catch -he would pound the glove with his right fist!

[@kjhustleguy]

The greatest Willie go win some games in heaven

[@ridgemanron]

It's an insult that 5% of voters didn't vote him into The Hall Of Fame on the first ballot. Too many ignorant racists posing as honest sports reporters, for sure.

[@MikeCee7]

I’m curious to know if Wille has more home runs now? (after MLB just recently added in the Negro leagues stats)

[@pytube777]

They can only account for 10 additional hits. No records of any home runs.

[@michaelzatarga5157]

The greatest players in MLB history Mays, Eckersley, Rose, and Griffey Jr

[@Zane_Zaminsky]

Yes, no, yes, yes. Koufax, Gibson, Marichal, Drysdale, Seaver, and many more pitchers before Eckersley.

[@pytube777]

Ruth, Gehrig and Mantle weren’t too shabby.

[@Halmir4126]

the baseball writers should be ashamed that willie mays did not get to see his godson get into the hall of fame as he rightly deserves

[@Dfturcott]

I’m surprised by the people who are surprised. “WHAT?! a 93 year old man died? How is that possible?!”

[@craigallencole9695]

G.O.A.T> #1 Mays, Aaron, Ruth, Clemente, Musial,

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Eisen forgets the MLB logo is based on Pete Rose...

[@brianthomas2434]

Many saw it was Killebrew.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

it's supposedly based on Harmon Killebrew , but the artist denies that. No way was it Pete Rose.

[@MikeCee7]

Many people didn’t know, that Willie was “on deck”, when Bobby Thompson hit the “Shot heard round the world”, 3:58. This is the first Willie tribute that actually mentioned that fact.

[@jazzbassoonpaul]

Whoever chose the pictures of Willie Mays in the beginning of this video like literally the worst ones they could pick. Come on do better.

[@n8doggy733]

Im pretty sure that Rogers Hornsby or Stan Musial was who he guy said he thought of when he made the logo, not Killebrew or Mays

[@andrewwaring3643]

Should the Willie Mays catch be the MLB logo for the rest of the year? I think so

[@pytube777]

Every player should wear the number 24 patch for the year.

[@andrewwaring3643]

@@pytube777 agreed

[@shackdaddy7106]

There is a player on the MLB logo. His name is Harmon Killebrew.

[@pytube777]

Just speculation. Not official.

[@mikewagner9395]

Ted Williams is the silhouette in the MLB logo

[@Oldjohn52]

mookie might could

[@SFGiants5]

Mookie is a ducking scrub compared to Willie.

[@Oldjohn52]

@@SFGiants5 I did say might

[@SFGiants5]

@@Oldjohn52 I said what I said.

[@pytube777]

Get out of here😂😂😂

[@neanderthalsnavel7411]

Bob Feller said The Catch was overrated. I trust Bob. "PD: So you’re not impressed by the catch. BF: Not at all. Not at all."

[@OakHillSoulman]

You forgot what Feller said after that. He said he wasn’t impressed “because it was Willie Mays.”

[@davidtullis2810]

Willie said it wasn't even in his top 10 catches. He said the only thing special was that he was able to throw the ball back to the infield so quick