Willie Mays is the epitome of grace,humanity and class, I had the pleasure of watching him play on TV in 1968 when I was 8 years old; I knew from the git-go he is the greatest! RIP, Sir
Willie Mays represented all that was good with this great game. He was the perfect ambassador without even knowing it. For many of us fortunate enough to have watched Willie play, it was almost choreographed perfection. His innate talent, instinct and passion had no equal. His passing reminds us that our world has grown a little colder and our grasp on tradition is slipping away. We all have fond memories of the "Say Hey kid" and what he meant to us. I know what he meant to a shy little boy in the Bay Area, taking the Parks and Rec bus to Candlestick to see the Giants play. The little boy is now a senior citizen, glancing at the 1954 photo of Willie Mays playing stickball in Harlem and reflecting. Memories of better times long past and of our own mortality. I am grateful for those memories, courtesy of the young man with the iconic smile from Westfield Alabama.
On KPIX, we now have a new weekend morning meteorologist. Zoe Mintz, another gorgeous weather girl on the team. She comes from KRQE in Albuquerque, NM and so far her energy and style is great.
It is finally about time. This gives Darren Peck a huge weight off his shoulders from doing double shifts on the weekends & pre recording weekends or filling in all over the place.
My guess is Zoe will be a fill in for Jessica Burch so that Darren will not have to abruptly leave after the 6PM news show on Sunday is Jess is off for a week. More to come.
Mays was not the most gracious to the fans. At paid autograph signings appearances he would roll the ball cack to you after signing before the ink would dry,or if you had a poster signing 500 hr players all signed in black sharpe,he would sign it in blue despite your request otherwise.
Seems true based on Google searches snd sites on his autograph habits. Seems not very classy in such respect of interaction with fans at least in retirement. That is the problem with worshiping players of any sport. Leave it as best player if you so choose. Beyond, like all the hype about him this week is from a biased sports media.
@3:45pm - my experience was just the opposite. I was on a plane with him that made an emergency landing in Denver. While we were in the terminal waiting for the airline to figure out what to do, I had a wonderful conversation with Mr. Mays. He was gracious, funny, quite willing to engage with his fans, and generous with his autograph. I got mine on a $20 bill as that was the only thing I had for him to sign!
From my experiences at autograph signings, the person doing the signing isn't obligated to grant special requests. Often times, they'll grant photo requests if the line isn't too long.
It's interesting. People's interactions with personalities are often dictated by THEIR demeanor and not of the "Celebrity". A word I truly despise. When you think, that almost every waking day of your life..someone wants your attention or just one more signature. It's not easy to remain pleasant at all times and the one incident you may be "short" with someone...is what gets remembered most. I have had some of the most amazing interactions with many known talents by simply not having an agenda and being in the moment. They're just like us. No different. You'd be surprised what you can learn once the pretense is eliminated. Spending hours discussing music, gardening and culinary skills with some pretty terrific performers. Never deify them, but kindly thank them for their contributions. Express genuine interest. I assure you it will be returned. Habits of a good listener and study of human nature.
@12:48pm I've heard the same too, although my paid autograph experience with Mays was fine. My other interaction with Mays was at an event and that went fine. He signed my baseball without any hesitation. So who knows
Agree 100% about Lurie, Laskey, and Reggie Jackson. I simply cannot listen to KNBR anymore, which is my idea of mind rot. Even today with FP & Ritzo, no thanks. Willie Mays was-is my idol, I still have a little Shrine to him in my car. I probably saw him play in person as a SF Giant 30-40 times, and several times on KTVU tv when they played the lowly Dodgers. Welcome Back Rich 🙏
Like many people since his passing, I've been researching Willie's past and the one stat that surprised me was his stats at Candlestick. Having watched several games there, I'm familiar with the wind, and the fog, and the bitter cold nights, so I was surprised that Willie's home and away splits were amazingly similar. Here are some of the important categories:
Reggie's comments were very raw and necessary, as racism is still very present. Reggie had me researching the origins of Jim Crow laws, so although raw and uncomfortable, it was an educational moment.
Imagine the surprise of viewers when Heather Holmes announced at the beginning of one of her 7:30 PM News broadcasts this past week the passing of Willie Brown, then corrected herself to Willie Mays. Sometimes not the most immaculate professional she aspires to be.
I heard that, and also Bailey O’Carroll referring to the Birmingham Black Barons as the Blackhawks along with a slew of other flubs while attempting to cover Mays death and the Rickwood game. At one point Bailey said Willie Mays has had an impact on “hundreds” of baseball fans during his lifetime. Hundreds? Seems a bit low when describing a man who is widely considered the best of all time.
I heard Dave Fleming on KNBR during the Giants game, when he oddly stumbled and finally announced Willie’s passing. You would think he would have been able to have some kind of perspective about the great man, rather than his mumbling and fumbling. Not exactly Vin Scully.
Oddly stumbled?? Given the context around the Rickwood game, this news stunned everyone. Dave captured the moment beautifully and was on the same page as many longtime Giants fans. Dave was right inline with Vin Scully on this one. Kudos.
@7:51pm what you think Fleming should have carried a prepared speech around for a moment like this? SMH. He's allowed to be emotional and keeping it real. Why does he need to be Vin Scully like? Who cares.
Willie Mays is the epitome of grace,humanity and class, I had the pleasure of watching him play on TV in 1968 when I was 8 years old; I knew from the git-go he is the greatest! RIP, Sir
ReplyDeleteThe media in the bay area did a good job covering Wilie Mays. Good to see you back Rich.
ReplyDeleteBay Area overkill like most subjects beat this one to death.
DeleteWillie Mays represented all that was good with this great game. He was the perfect ambassador without even knowing it. For many of us fortunate enough to have watched Willie play, it was almost choreographed perfection. His innate talent, instinct and passion had no equal. His passing reminds us that our world has grown a little colder and our grasp on tradition is slipping away. We all have fond memories of the "Say Hey kid" and what he meant to us. I know what he meant to a shy little boy in the Bay Area, taking the Parks and Rec bus to Candlestick to see the Giants play. The little boy is now a senior citizen, glancing at the 1954 photo of Willie Mays playing stickball in Harlem and reflecting. Memories of better times long past and of our own mortality. I am grateful for those memories, courtesy of the young man with the iconic smile from Westfield Alabama.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteHey Rich
ReplyDeleteAlmost like it was planned. You know what I'm talking about.
On KPIX, we now have a new weekend morning meteorologist. Zoe Mintz, another gorgeous weather girl on the team. She comes from KRQE in Albuquerque, NM and so far her energy and style is great.
ReplyDeleteIt is finally about time. This gives Darren Peck a huge weight off his shoulders from doing double shifts on the weekends & pre recording weekends or filling in all over the place.
My guess is Zoe will be a fill in for Jessica Burch so that Darren will not have to abruptly leave after the 6PM news show on Sunday is Jess is off for a week. More to come.
Mays was not the most gracious to the fans. At paid autograph signings appearances he would roll the ball cack to you after signing before the ink would dry,or if you had a poster signing 500 hr players all signed in black sharpe,he would sign it in blue despite your request otherwise.
ReplyDeleteWow, can anyone corroborate what 12:48PM says? This is counter to everything we heard since his passing. So sad to hear assuming true.
DeleteSeems true based on Google searches snd sites on his autograph habits. Seems not very classy in such respect of interaction with fans at least in retirement. That is the problem with worshiping players of any sport. Leave it as best player if you so choose. Beyond, like all the hype about him this week is from a biased sports media.
Delete@3:45pm - my experience was just the opposite. I was on a plane with him that made an emergency landing in Denver. While we were in the terminal waiting for the airline to figure out what to do, I had a wonderful conversation with Mr. Mays. He was gracious, funny, quite willing to engage with his fans, and generous with his autograph. I got mine on a $20 bill as that was the only thing I had for him to sign!
DeleteFrom my experiences at autograph signings, the person doing the signing isn't obligated to grant special requests. Often times, they'll grant photo requests if the line isn't too long.
DeleteIt's interesting. People's interactions with personalities are often dictated by THEIR demeanor and not of the "Celebrity". A word I truly despise. When you think, that almost every waking day of your life..someone wants your attention or just one more signature. It's not easy to remain pleasant at all times and the one incident you may be "short" with someone...is what gets remembered most. I have had some of the most amazing interactions with many known talents by simply not having an agenda and being in the moment. They're just like us. No different. You'd be surprised what you can learn once the pretense is eliminated. Spending hours discussing music, gardening and culinary skills with some pretty terrific performers. Never deify them, but kindly thank them for their contributions. Express genuine interest. I assure you it will be returned. Habits of a good listener and study of human nature.
Delete@12:48pm I've heard the same too, although my paid autograph experience with Mays was fine. My other interaction with Mays was at an event and that went fine. He signed my baseball without any hesitation. So who knows
DeleteI know Willie stopped visiting the KCBS Newsroom when Jon Bristow started telling the racial jokes.
ReplyDeletePeter Felch
KCBS
Agree 100% about Lurie, Laskey, and Reggie Jackson. I simply cannot listen to KNBR anymore, which is my idea of mind rot. Even today with FP & Ritzo, no thanks.
ReplyDeleteWillie Mays was-is my idol, I still have a little Shrine to him in my car. I probably saw him play in person as a SF Giant 30-40 times, and several times on KTVU tv when they played the lowly Dodgers.
Welcome Back Rich 🙏
Like many people since his passing, I've been researching Willie's past and the one stat that surprised me was his stats at Candlestick. Having watched several games there, I'm familiar with the wind, and the fog, and the bitter cold nights, so I was surprised that Willie's home and away splits were amazingly similar. Here are some of the important categories:
DeleteHome - 1490 games, 1583 H, 335 HR, .302 BA, .567 SLG
Away - 1502 games, 1700 H, 325 HR, .301 BA, .549 SLG
RIP Willie Mays. There will never be another one like him.
ReplyDeleteBaseball is a fabulous story telling sport, and nobody tells a story better than Marty.
ReplyDelete100%
DeleteYep, couldn't agree more about Marty. Baseball and its history is unique where it's all about story telling
DeleteReggie's comments were very raw and necessary, as racism is still very present. Reggie had me researching the origins of Jim Crow laws, so although raw and uncomfortable, it was an educational moment.
ReplyDeleteImagine the surprise of viewers when Heather Holmes announced at the beginning of one of her 7:30 PM News broadcasts this past week the passing of Willie Brown, then corrected herself to Willie Mays. Sometimes not the most immaculate professional she aspires to be.
ReplyDeleteI heard that, and also Bailey O’Carroll referring to the Birmingham Black Barons as the Blackhawks along with a slew of other flubs while attempting to cover Mays death and the Rickwood game. At one point Bailey said Willie Mays has had an impact on “hundreds” of baseball fans during his lifetime. Hundreds? Seems a bit low when describing a man who is widely considered the best of all time.
DeleteI heard Dave Fleming on KNBR during the Giants game, when he oddly stumbled and finally announced Willie’s passing. You would think he would have been able to have some kind of perspective about the great man, rather than his mumbling and fumbling. Not exactly Vin Scully.
ReplyDeleteOddly stumbled?? Given the context around the Rickwood game, this news stunned everyone. Dave captured the moment beautifully and was on the same page as many longtime Giants fans. Dave was right inline with Vin Scully on this one. Kudos.
Delete@7:51pm what you think Fleming should have carried a prepared speech around for a moment like this? SMH. He's allowed to be emotional and keeping it real. Why does he need to be Vin Scully like? Who cares.
Delete