Stephen A. reflects on Willie Mays' importance to the game of baseball | First Take

[@ekim4363]

God now has the CF for his team. Thanks for everything Willie.

[@jacksonj3082]

Willie Mays - through times of depression, WW2, civil rights - brought fathers and sons together

[@stevenmeyer9674]

Nice comment

[@seanmcnally4818]

Well said. We need First Take to talk about baseball more often.

[@jamesnelson5618]

​@@seanmcnally4818so much For Other Team to discuss in baseball besides the Yankees and the Dodgers.

[@jesusarteaga3563]

best compliment for Mays, ever...

[@popecj99]

Willie Mays still has one of , if not the greatest catch of all time. The 1954 World Series Giants vs Indians. A play that will be talked about forever.

[@seanmcnally4818]

That team was a huge underdog to a Cleveland team that won 111 games. Giants swept them.

[@I_ate_at_burger_king]

so many sports legends leaving us this year

[@andrewbird57]

I grew up in Nor Cal in the '60s. When I was 5 in 1962, my dad took me to my first MLB game at Candlestick. I remember him pointing out Willie Mays to me. I had the occasion to meet Willie Mays a couple of times many decades later when I was in my 50s.

[@bryanpotter3882]

Willie mays is a legend rest in paradise Willie mays ❤

[@ColePalmer103]

We will miss you 😭😭😭

[@stevenmeyer9674]

Willie was a six tool player. Besides the first five that we all talk about, Willie was probably the smartest player of all time.

[@tigertank06]

Better than Jackie Robinson?

[@stevenmeyer9674]

@@tigertank06 Jackie was a great player, but not even in the same class as Willie. his fame and greatness had little to do with his playing ability.

[@ralphmuehlenbruch6762]

@@tigertank06 Yupppppp!!!

[@tigertank06]

@@stevenmeyer9674 What about Yogi Berra? He was very influential too. I just watched a docu about him: very interesting person.

[@filtrotp40]

Thank God for Tim to do Mays' career justice. If it isn't about basketball, they have no clue.

[@ZachJarvis-l2b]

No offense but wrong. Mad dog is a master of baseball and shows appreciation to all the great players.

[@dabig25]

Willie was The GOAT

[@dionruffin3996]

Willie Mays made the greatest baseball play of all time throwing the ball to home plate ⚾️

[@arnoldstevenson4427]

Vin Scully , Joe Buck , Ernie Cardwell. All said. Wille Mays.. was the Best they seen.. that's good enought for me..

[@justinmathewson3692]

You mean Jack Buck. Nobody cares what Joe Buck thinks

[@tigertank06]

Even better than Jackie Robinson?

[@americangiant1003]

@@justinmathewson3692Plus Joe Buck (I think he was born correct me guys 1969/70ish) so unless he was a genius at age 2-3 no way he saw Mr Mays live in real time via TV or going to a ballpark.

[@thorntonwilliams3851]

​@@tigertank06Yes

[@antihero5203]

@@tigertank06Jackie Robinson was more of a groundbreaking-type player, still excellent, but not as great as Mays.

[@KrazyCaN347]

Rest up Willie 😢🤲🏾🤲🏾🤲🏾 my grandpa loves you

[@drewdelucchi7992]

Willie Mays was the greatest to ever do it. If he didn’t have to play his home games at polo grounds then candlestick, along with missing two years in his prime for the army, he would have had more home runs, hits, RBIs and it keeps going. Most importantly he was the say hey kid for a reason. He loved the game, loved fans, had fun, and wanted to make baseball fun for everyone.

[@kevinmatthew1050]

That's the craziest part that young kids and athletes don't understand today. All the old time greats like Mays and Williams and Dimaggio served years in the military. Crazy.

[@jshorts3451]

I really appreciate that First Take was willing to spend this much time to honor Willie Mays. Truly one of the titanic figures in American Sports, and deserves to receive this much coverage, even though his prime was 60 years ago and baseball is no longer THE sport that Americans watch. Stephen A clearly is a baseball fan and First Take should talk about MLB more, especially about its legends.

[@Ant-Tee]

When Barry bonds was coming up on hitting record he mentioned how willie mays was best all around player in baseball that’s when I realized how good he was even though I grew up hearing about him

[@danielroshunsmith6351]

Peace and blessings to his friends and family, we'll miss you willie

[@ralphalvarado4770]

I was very fortunate to be home on leave to witness Willie's 600th Home run and then his 3,000th hit. I didn't plan it. You had to take leave when you could get it. My aunt was on the Giant's Boosters club and we got tickets. I saw him play many times as a young kid. The last time I saw him play was in the 1973 World Series. We gave him a standing ovation. I was lucky to grow up on the Bay Area. Willie was the greatest.

[@seanmcnally4818]

Willie Mays struck out 100+ times only once, in 1971 (age 40). He also had his only season of 100+ walks that same season.

[@flame-sky7148]

Yea, he led the league in On Base Percentage. The Giants finished 1st that year, but lost to that great Pirates team.

[@calm1047]

As a black kid in the early 70s, I remember a Willie Mays cartoon that came on Saturday morning. My baseball number was 24 in high school and college. 😊

[@ASDF84.0]

what was the cartoon about? i was born in 95 sooo way out of my gen.

[@ColonelFU]

The GREAT Willie Mays. & as far as putting Babe Ruth in the conversation… ruth played during segregation…Mr. Mays played in a era that wasn’t & played under great duress because of his ethnicity. That’s a major difference. Rest up, #24

[@wobblertv8083]

I agree completely. Pre segregation stats put them out with the trash ..Willie Mays is the greatest player of all time .👍

[@JimboJazz]

Ruth played in beginning of dead ball era…There wasn’t night baseball then -no lights when it got late or overcast.The bats were not of the same quality..It’s difficult to compare eras-why can’t everyone just be great rather than arguing about who is best?

[@Film-Watcher12]

Ruth barnstormed regularly against negro league players. Look it up. He also hit 10 career HR against Walter Johnson who threw 90-97 MPH.

[@vgus15]

@doomsday4037 judt because ruth played in segregation doesn't mean he wasn't any good. Babe ruth is the best of all time

[@angelmatos9143]

As a fan very few athletes have given me that 'Super Human' feeling. As an 8-year-old living in Ft Wainwright Alaska, Dad & I would be next to the radio every first day of the season. My argument would be that Willie would bat 1000 that year. As soon as he missed an at bat I would argue he would achieve it the following year. It took me years to realize it was a stretch. 😂 But Willie & Roberto Clemente always seemed unreal to me.

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

1954 the greatest catch ever. 1961 he hits 4 homers in one game. Jon Miller (our Mark Twain of baseball) has a fitting memorial. SF 💐

[@falconeyes9668]

I'm from the Bay Area, KNBR 680 is our local AM station broadcasting SF Giants games on radio. I was holding back tears driving home from work on Tuesday, June 18th listening to the news on the radio. Thank you all of baseball, all other 29 MLB teams helped up us mourn with our SF Giants. My grandfather on his death bed in the hospital in 2018 at the age of 95 told me how lucky he was to see and follow all of Willie Mays career starting as a rookie in 1951 in New York.😥SEY HEY to him up in heaven grandpa! ❤

[@feddi7693]

What a legend💯 R.I.P. say hey kid willie mays

[@alexstrout9761]

I love when Mad Dog talks about this, dude is so much fun to listen to on baseball history

[@futurewarrior6969]

Loved this segment

[@stanleysox6113]

We love you willie mays you are the greatest

[@jalalstephens7457]

Willie Mays the Goat

[@Renegade-kf8fp]

Top 3 player of all time

[@stevenmeyer9674]

Top 1

[@RyanAngelo90]

Without a single doubt!

[@Henry-y8b9q]

​@@stevenmeyer9674 Babe Ruth is the greatest baseball player ever

[@seanmcnally4818]

He's definitely up there. He won his 2 MVPs, 11 years apart in 1954 and 1965.

[@tigertank06]

Up there with Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth and Rickey Henderson.

[@rodrigogutierrez7874]

Willie will always be a legend ,and legends never die

[@TerryGoffigan-zj2se]

Growing up, I saw Willie Mays play. After outfield warm ups, he would throw the ball to the crowd of kids, and yes I proudly retrieved it one time. Unfortunately, my dog didn't appreciate the treasure we had and he decided it didn't need to exist. So much for that. Beyond that, people held their breath in anticipation of him hitting the ball out of the park every time he came up. Im not exaggerating when I say he was without peer even after teaming up with Willie McCovey. l also recall he was the only Giant that could consistently hit Sandy Koufax. He was the first player I ever saw hit 4 home runs in one game. In his prime, he would be a superstar today.I also remember when he signed a new contract ( and everyone was like wow so much money) for a whopping, $125,000, which was humongous at that time. I feel blessed to have watched no doubt one of the greatest players of all time.

[@johnkelly5202]

Class act 🙏❤️ 😇

[@SperrySpringer]

This was some genuine convo , loved this vid🔥🐐

[@flame-sky7148]

Thanks for everybody's kind word on Mr. Mays. He did it all and then some.

[@gualbertogarcia305]

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

[@DannyVegasVIP]

One of the best of all time to do it! #RIPWillieMays

[@terencewinters2154]

The polo grounds was a long canyon . 429 feet .

[@mastermace7770]

The GOAT of baseball Willie Mays.

[@mrbgladney71]

REST N PEACE 2 ONE OF THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYERS 2 EVA TAKE 2 THE DIAMOND...EAS"T"EXAS RESPECT 🙏 🫡 MR MAYS A TRUE GAME CHANGER...LEGEND.

[@terencewinters2154]

The greatest . The catch and the throw .

[@choward5430]

I began following baseball at 6 years old in 1965, the year Willie was MVP. But it was because of my father who adored Willie Mays. When my father played wiffle ball with me, I would emulate Willie Mays! Each time the Giants were on TV, I watched him play. The first box score I looked for in the sports pages was the Giants to see what Mays did the night before. He is absolutely the greatest baseball player I've ever seen! Even when he struck out it was an event.

[@salvatoresultana4058]

Rest in Peace to the greatest baseball player of all time

[@garrysaint-vil725]

Willie Mays used to play just border line Washington heights and that when Dominican came in by then later on like in the 1960s

[@georgehakimian5949]

What is Smith talking about at 4:13? Muhammad Ali was the one that titled himself the greatest, it was him bragging about himself. Yes, Willie Mays was the best all-around baseball player that ever played the game. Willie Mays thought very highly of Joe Louis. I remember when Louis died in 1981 & Will Mays spoke about what Joe Louis meant to him. Yes, both Wille Mays & Joe Louis were the greatest in their sports.

[@johnr8309]

Retire number 24 baseball. Mays was the best. Mays was worthy.

[@garrysaint-vil725]

Majority from the Caribbean started to come to New York or America in the 60s

[@trennedyblair836]

Rest In Peace Willie Mays My Condolences 💐 Goes Out To His Entire Family And Friends

[@haydenstevens7538]

Greatest 5 tool player of all time. Rest in Peace Say Hey❤️❤️

[@davidmitnick868]

JJ Reddick: "But Willie Mays played against plumbers and firemen. Your average minor league player would outperform Mays today"

[@jamesnelson5618]

Yep JJ Reddick is the Jim Halpert of ESPN.

[@MarkDaugherty-xw1eq]

Willie so dame good. That the ⚾️ wouldn't get pass he. My opinion is he and Roberto Clements are the best 5 tool outfielder that seen. Over 60 + years

[@rj-vj8gr]

outstanding, my best to barry knowing how much he meant to u.

[@richardanderson3620]

Willie Mays was NOT the greatest in his Baseball craft but he was ELITE in ALL he pursued in Life. Today's sports fans should STOP in haste labeling athletes the GOAT when the numbers and tasks say otherwise. REST well, #24, the say hey kid. Thanks to Willie Mays for making my nurturing so special by his Baseball legacy.

[@StayTru101]

Where would you rank him?

[@AnthonyJamielle34]

Say Hey Kid Forever 🟠⚫⚾

[@michaelf.bender3718]

How sad. We have lost 3 sports legends in the last few weeks. Bill Walton, Jerry West, and now Willie Mays.

[@George-gf5xs]

Say Hey Kid Rest In Peace, he never took a play off, he ran everything out every play.

[@cag1763]

I saw him beat the Mets with a double...ive never forgot...

[@fun2badult]

dude how the F do you become one of the greatest in the game of baseball and having had to go fight in the freaking war for 2 years too? This guy Willie sure sounds like an amazing player

[@davidtullis2810]

When the Giants moved to San Francisco he had trouble finding a place to live because of his color

[@justinmathewson3692]

Wow. Fucked up world in which we live

[@justinmathewson3692]

Wow. Messed up world in which we live.

[@billalbritton4972]

If he hadn’t played half his games at Candlestick park that last 10-11 years no telling what the HR TOTAL could have been.

[@heismm23]

IT IS TIME TO START DOING THE GOAT CONVO WITH BASEBALL LIKE WE DO WITH THE NBA

[@heismm23]

TOP 5: 1.RUTH 2. MAYS 3. GEHRIG 4. WILLIAMS 5. AARON

[@zachstolpa6521]

For the shortlist of players who can claim to be the greatest there is no questioning Willie mays claim to that.

[@jarrettpierce5626]

why do we wait til the greats have passed to remember their legacy?

[@seanburrell8159]

There are so many legends and things to talk about that you obviously can't get to everyone. And even then Willie Mays is consistently talked about when talking about the greats. Plus anytime someone makes an immaculate catch in a baseball game they will always show the catch he had in the World Series.

[@jarrettpierce5626]

@@seanburrell8159 Nah they could do a special on him, have him on, interview. we just wait til he passes then do this.

[@garrysaint-vil725]

That catch my Willie mays is almost like catching a 🐟

[@davidmacwilliamson5570]

Willie Mays playing stick ball with kids

[@feddi7693]

So dope💯

[@Sam-vh9zs]

Old school

[@Dante3X]

🙏🏾💯

[@kk-sr1wl]

Only time we talk baseball.. we lost mays, aaron, west, bill russell... crazy

[@gregcostello1518]

Should be talked about a lot more especially now with its the only sport going on....but they won't unfortunately

[@jakedupree7268]

It comes for a legend to die for them to talk about baseball sad

[@SperrySpringer]

🐐

[@davidmacwilliamson5570]

That's right!!!!!

[@RaymondStone]

Does Mad Dog not have a black suit he could've worn with that SF Giants tie? 😅

[@garrysaint-vil725]

SAS family came in the 50s

[@50000DSI]

~🦾💡⭐💫⚡⚡🦾Rest in Power ...to the Baseball Veteran-Legend: Willie Mays..... Never Goodbye, always Next time ...My Human-Bruther that i never met but whose story...i heard of.... 1LOVE

[@geekUSA101]

Stephen A is unqualified to speak on baseball 😂

[@RichMansour]

Dead CF was 483 ft. What 511??

[@_EmmaGrace789]

This has nothing to do with race no matter how much Molly and Stephen A. Myth want it to be.

[@kingsmart5627]

theyre just talking about the horrible things he had to endure. when the giants moved to San Fran he had trouble getting a place to stay just because of his race. you can't comprehend the hatred Willie and other black people had toj deal with back then

[@keithcarmona4338]

They just don't make 'em like Willie anymore...

[@lesliethurston353]

Back in the days of chainlink fences

[@bkh0525]

If he didn’t play in the Polo Grounds, he’d have over 700 HR’s!

[@artax7438]

😳Is it me or why did i think Willie Mays died like 10,15 years ago? and i'm a big baseball fan! Wow SMH ,anyways i'm in shock because my mind all these years was that he died. Wow i'm confused and sad. He was arguably the greatest.... Every kid, boy and girl should learn and know who he is and was.

[@davidfelizzatto6662]

Takes Willie Mays to die for first take to donate a 5 min segment to baseball

[@jkidd697]

bro does that say TWENTY FOUR time all star?

[@CoachDarren]

Rest in peace to the great Willie Mays. And you can include race in this discussion because of the times Mays played in. But leave it up to Steven A Smith, Molly, and ESPN to push race at all cost. Molly ask Steven A as a black man what did Willie Mays represent to you? This question was so unnecessary First Take just can't stop pushing their Agenda. God Bless the Mays family. Rest in peace again to the great if not the greatest baseball player ever the say hey kid Willie Mays. 🙏

[@mordymitrani4187]

Stephen A. Smith Never saw him play so shut your trapper about "imagining" what he faced Steve

[@rrmond]

FT doesn't deserve to talk about Willie

[@jamesnelson5618]

Is because they don't talk baseball that much.

[@Visionary13]

Wow

[@register1430]

More TOP shelf insights from Molly. Expensive words with no value.

[@robertwilliamzeleny3987]

People how will maybe was great bass game and just be things most people the catch Over short Take home run way

[@evand7390]

Thought tim was smart and then calls Ruth a top 2 player ever…smh

[@flamcity]

Candlestick Park stole over 100 homers from Willie…

[@ThomasEsposito-pk5qx]

Just like Jackie Robinson's # 47 😢(another great) his # 24 should be retired by all teams

[@kelin6293]

talk some baseball

[@ShawnC.T.]

Barring injuries, I think Eric Davis would've been the next Willie Mays...🙏🏽🕊

[@berrylee5000]

Stephen a slammed his father in his book

[@crazyunclegrant]

Ohtani ain't doing what he did. Offensively or defensively

[@TerryGoffigan-zj2se]

Defensively, no. But offensively, yes. I saw Mays in his prime

[@alexmacdonald9182]

mike trout would play stickball with the kids

[@gregcostello1518]

Lol nah dude walked by llws kids on tv not realizing tv was still on him....today's athlete don't connect with today's fan....cause they filthy rich they don't relate with us....back then they did....dudes played their sport and in the offseason had another job...regular folk...now these dudes can't be bothered

[@johnfarr2738]

What a week, first Jerry West, now Willie Mays….someone do a welfare check on Sonny Jurganson please!

[@TerryGoffigan-zj2se]

And Bill Walton, whom I played against in high school. I saw Jerry West in his prime and all I can say is he ran the fast break like no other, just beautiful. Bill Walton went 158 games between losses from hi School to his senior year in college.

[@dav5oly]

Why they got to make it about race

[@nate9798]

ESPN is usually bad about that, but in this case they should talk about race. What a lot of these players went through in the 50s and 60s was 10000% racism.

[@dav5oly]

@@nate9798 what did they go through that was racist? Willie mays was looked up to by everyone in the bay, White or black. Lot of revisionist history imo.

[@kevindickerson9513]

Because Steven a graduate from college with a degree in race baiting 😂😂😂😂😂

[@GooniesNeverSayDie1980]

I am more "concerned" that this is the first time ever Stephen A has mentioned that his daddy was going to be a pro baseball player in the US of A.🤨 Is this another story of Stephen A Myth's?🤔

[@fcc950]

@@dav5olyI don’t know maybe growing up in a time of segregation, the struggle for civil rights, being a black player in a predominately white league where support was rare to be found.

[@kevindickerson9513]

Imagine asking a white man as a white man what does tom brady mean to you the outrage always bout race with Steven race baiter Smith 😂😂😂😂

[@jamesnelson5618]

What That Got Anything to do with baseball history, this is Not American football topic dude.

[@HellaFlushJdm]

.