Willie Mays, the legendary baseball player, passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished forever. One of his fellow Hall of Fame opponents, Johnny Bench, shared a funny anecdote about Mays on a recent podcast.
Bench reminisced about Mays’ unique way of trying to steal signs during games. According to Bench, Mays would swing his bat back and forth and move his head in an attempt to peek at the catcher’s signs. His first base coach, Peanuts Lowrey, would also try to help by looking for signals from the catcher. If Mays hit a home run based on the stolen signs, Peanuts would get a new suit.
During one particular game, Bench was catching while Mays was at bat. Mays continued to look back at Bench, trying to steal signs. After a few attempts, Mays finally stepped out of the box and asked Bench if he was going to call a pitch. Bench jokingly replied that he would as soon as Mays stopped looking back at him. It was a funny moment between two great players on the field.
Mays had an incredible career that spanned over two decades. He was a 24-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and 12-time Gold Glover. Mays was known for his powerful home runs, impressive baserunning, and incredible plays in center field. One of his most famous plays, “The Catch,” occurred during the 1954 World Series and is still talked about to this day.
Throughout his career, Mays achieved many milestones, including a .301 batting average and 660 career home runs. He is one of only four players to have over 3,000 hits with at least 600 home runs. Mays’ impact on the game of baseball is undeniable, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Mays was also recognized for his service in the Army and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. His contributions to the sport and his community will always be remembered.
As a tribute to Mays, MLB is set to play a regular-season game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, where Mays began his professional baseball career with the Black Barons in the Negro Leagues. This game will honor Mays’ legacy and the impact he had on the game of baseball.
Willie Mays may be gone, but his spirit and passion for the game will live on forever. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, and his influence will continue to be felt throughout the world of sports.