The recent passing of Willie Mays marks the end of an era for many baseball fans. For me, and especially for my late father, Willie was more than just a legendary player; he was a living connection to our family's love of baseball .
My father, Morris Rosenman, grew up a die-hard Giants fan. His high school yearbook lists Mel Ott as his favorite player, but when it came to discussing the best player he ever saw, my dad always named Willie Mays. My dad was 28 years old in 1951 when Willie Mays burst onto the scene with the Giants. For the next six years, he had the privilege of watching Willie in his prime, before Horace Stoneham's controversial decision to relocate the Giants to San Francisco in 1958—a move that broke many hearts, including my father's. This happened two years before I was born.
In 1962, the Mets were introduced to fill the void left by the Giants, and they played at the Polo Grounds, the previous home of the Giants. My dad began taking me to Mets games, fostering my love for baseball. Even as a young kid, I could sense that Mets-Giants games held a special place in my dad's heart. The memories of those Giants teams and Willie Mays were still very much alive for him.
In 1972, when the Mets traded for Willie Mays, my 49-year-old dad was transported back to his youth. We had the incredible opportunity to watch one of his most beloved Giants players suit up for his new favorite team, the New York Mets. On Sunday, May 14, 1972, we were two of the 35,505 in attendance. It was a day neither of us would ever forget.
Willie Mays, leading off for the Mets, received a standing ovation as he stepped to the plate. The bottom of the first inning was electrifying:
- Willie drew a walk.
- Bud Harrelson followed with another walk, moving Willie to second.
- Tommie Agee's walk loaded the bases.
- Rusty Staub then hit a grand slam, sending Willie, Harrelson, and Agee home.
The Giants tied the game in the top of the fifth, but in a storybook moment, Willie Mays led off the bottom of the fifth and hit a home run, giving the Mets the lead and sending the crowd, including my dad and me, into a frenzy. That home run stood as the game-winner. Watching my dad relive his younger years through that moment was magical. Though Mays was 41 and past his prime, those 481 plate appearances as a Met were moments I cherished with my dad.
In my sixth-grade autograph book, I listed Willie Mays as my favorite athlete, surpassing even Tom Seaver and Cleon Jones. This shows the profound impact Willie had on me, thanks to my father's stories and our shared experiences.
Years later, I had similar moments with my son, Josh, when Rickey Henderson joined the Mets in 1999. Rickey was a great player, having been an Athletic, a Yankee, a Blue Jay, and more. He fit the criteria of someone who was in his prime during my youth, and now my son could watch him as a Met. However, Rickey just wasn’t "our guy" in the same way Willie was for my dad. Willie's career spanned 23 years, a testament to his enduring greatness in an era where athletes' careers are often shorter due to the demands and rewards of the game. We may have seen the last of these generational bridge athletes.
The Greatness of Willie Mays
Willie Mays was more than just a phenomenal baseball player; he was a cultural icon. Known as "The Say Hey Kid," Willie Mays was born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama. His career was marked by extraordinary achievements, including:
- 660 Home Runs: Mays ranks sixth on the all-time home run list.
- 24 All-Star Appearances: His career includes two MVP awards and 24 All-Star selections, underscoring his consistent excellence.
- The Catch: One of the most famous plays in baseball history, Mays' over-the-shoulder catch during the 1954 World Series, remains an iconic moment in sports.
- 12 Gold Glove Awards: His defensive prowess in center field was unparalleled, earning him 12 Gold Glove Awards.
- Hall of Fame Induction: Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his legacy as one of the greatest players ever is cemented.
Willie Mays was a bridge between generations, connecting fans across different eras. For my dad and me, he was the embodiment of baseball's timeless appeal. Although I am extremely saddened by the loss of one of the greatest of all time, the memories of going to games and watching the joy he brought my late dad bring a smile to my face. His passing is a profound loss, but his legacy lives on through the memories he created for countless fans, including my family. As we remember Willie Mays, we celebrate not just his incredible career but also the enduring love for baseball that he inspired across generations.
Great job--said a lot in a few words about a legend that left many speechless.