Mays Did It All On And Off The Field
Photo – Special To The NY Beacon
By Doc Stanley – Special Correspondent
I scoff at those comments that Mays was arguably the greatest player ever. There is no argument. Mays was the greatest player, most exciting and the greatest all-around player the game will ever see.
My admiration for my idol got me the nickname, Mellie Mays, stickball’s greatest player. By my two stickball buddies, Glenn Barlett and the human cheetah, Jimmy Sealy. Mays was everybody’s favorite player. Both by fans and fellow players.
Mays passing closes an era of when baseball was at its best and he at the forefront. He came up when New York city was the capital of the baseball world. When baseball finally integrated. When Black players showed their superiority in Americas game.
Mays was the first Black player to do 30-30. The first Black player to hit 4 homers in a game and 50 in a season. First to lead both leagues in stolen bases.
Mays too never got the credit for his input and aid in the Civil Rights movement. How he too aided all of the younger black players on and off the baseball diamond. Which he, Mays was the brightest and greatest diamond of them all.
All of MLB should consider now wearing his famed#24 for 1 game similar to what they do for Jackie Robinson. Willie Mays was and will always be “Mr. Baseball.”
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