Post by glasspoet on Jan 7, 2012 21:53:14 GMT -5
When I was just a wee youngin, baseball was consumed with one of the greatest debates ever: who was the best centerfielder in baseball, Duke Snider, Mickey Mantle, or Willy Mays. Its not that there weren't great centerfielders before (Speaker, Cobb, Dimaggio)--but all assumed one of these three were the best all around package ever.
Willy was one of the first black major leaguers to come up as a young player after Robinson had broken the color barrier. He was a true 5 tool player. Though he didn't put it all together in 1 season like Mantle; he hit for average (over .350) AND hit for power (over 50 HRs). It wasn't a time when the stolen base was fashionable--but he led the majors many times in this category--and he was one of the LEAST aggressive baserunners ever. However it was his fielding that put him on top of the other two--and its not like they were poor fielders either!
If you've seen his great over the shoulder catch listed among ESPN's all-time greatest, you might be deceived--you might not think that was so great. Keep in mind that was in the World Series and that spinning move and throw after the catch was a strike to nail Vic Wertz at the plate and you don't get to see how FAR he went to make that catch. Though he has PLENTY of leaping great catches (just not many on film)--it wasn't his great catches that made him great, it was his everyday catches. There will never be another like him.
Many of you know plenty well what I'm talking about--but some younger fans may not know. You have to remember--it was a time of crew-cuts, corn and bible belts, and white picket fences. Every television commentator went ON and ON that GOOD fielders made EVERY catch TWO-HANDED. NOT Willy. Willy made EVERY catch, no matter if after a long run or right at him, no matter if shallow or deep, no matter if line drive or massive fly; between his belt and knees UNDERHANDED. Why? I believe playing the outfield was just too boring for him otherwise.
Being a Mantle worshipper, I despised Mays. Especially since the baseball writers voted HIM the greatest player in the last 50 years (in 2000). However as time goes by and I come to appreciate just how SPECIAL he was--I have to admit, there may not EVER be another like him again! (And MAYBE he was better than Mantle--OR NOT!)
p.s. I once watched old film of a home-run contest between Mays and Mantle. You never heard more polite, respectful speeches than when they talked about each other. Mays won (that one).
Willy was one of the first black major leaguers to come up as a young player after Robinson had broken the color barrier. He was a true 5 tool player. Though he didn't put it all together in 1 season like Mantle; he hit for average (over .350) AND hit for power (over 50 HRs). It wasn't a time when the stolen base was fashionable--but he led the majors many times in this category--and he was one of the LEAST aggressive baserunners ever. However it was his fielding that put him on top of the other two--and its not like they were poor fielders either!
If you've seen his great over the shoulder catch listed among ESPN's all-time greatest, you might be deceived--you might not think that was so great. Keep in mind that was in the World Series and that spinning move and throw after the catch was a strike to nail Vic Wertz at the plate and you don't get to see how FAR he went to make that catch. Though he has PLENTY of leaping great catches (just not many on film)--it wasn't his great catches that made him great, it was his everyday catches. There will never be another like him.
Many of you know plenty well what I'm talking about--but some younger fans may not know. You have to remember--it was a time of crew-cuts, corn and bible belts, and white picket fences. Every television commentator went ON and ON that GOOD fielders made EVERY catch TWO-HANDED. NOT Willy. Willy made EVERY catch, no matter if after a long run or right at him, no matter if shallow or deep, no matter if line drive or massive fly; between his belt and knees UNDERHANDED. Why? I believe playing the outfield was just too boring for him otherwise.
Being a Mantle worshipper, I despised Mays. Especially since the baseball writers voted HIM the greatest player in the last 50 years (in 2000). However as time goes by and I come to appreciate just how SPECIAL he was--I have to admit, there may not EVER be another like him again! (And MAYBE he was better than Mantle--OR NOT!)
p.s. I once watched old film of a home-run contest between Mays and Mantle. You never heard more polite, respectful speeches than when they talked about each other. Mays won (that one).