JoePosnanskiInside Baseball Ranking the best "pure" hitters in baseball over the last 60 years. Oct 20, 2009
When you see all the the names, it's pretty staggering: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Orlando Cepeda, Willie McCovey, Willie Stargell, Lou Brock, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Billy Williams, Larry Doby, Monte Irvin -- these are all Hall of Famers ... Heck, it could be 40 more when you think that for much of that year he had a struggling Darrell Porter and a young Willie Mays Aikens hitting behind... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Inbox: Should Mets sign Crawford? Oct 20, 2009
But no new general manager is going to trade Halladay and import Perez unless much more is included in the package going to the Jays -- something like Willie Mays. Perez is virtually untradeable as much because of his performance as his contract. (MLB.com -- NY Mets Mets)
2009 San Francisco Giants Preview Oct 17, 2009
The bad news is that Willie Mays Field will once again be quiet come October. Expect around 75-80 wins and a middle-of-the-road third place finish for the boys in orange and black. (San Francisco, TheInsiders.com)
Abreu a good influence for Angels Oct 17, 2009
And he is the fifth player to have played in 150 or more games for 12 consecutive seasons, joining Willie Mays (13), Billy Williams, Pete Rose and Cal Ripken Jr. (12 each). But he doesn't have a World Series ring, and [0x07]Abreu is hoping to get a step closer to that, at the expense of his former team in his first-ever league championship series. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Mr. Lucky: My days on the field with baseball legend Josh Gibson Oct 12, 2009
The best young Negro Leaguers -- guys like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron -- went, too. I quit helping Spade a year or so before the Grays disbanded in 1950. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Last 3 holes key win by Els, Weir Oct 10, 2009
Briefly: Willie Mays handled Friday's ceremonial coin toss. Most U.S. players and caddies wore pink ribbons on their caps to signify breast-cancer awareness. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Tiger a little off course - until the end Oct 10, 2009
Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Michael Jordan, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, they've all made appearances this week, and one might wonder how many of them came to this charming corner of the city to bask in the aura of Retief Goosen and Zach Johnson. How many of these luminaries would have made an appearance at Harding if Woods wasn't in the field. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Caddies sport Giants jerseys Oct 8, 2009
It probably was no coincidence that Tiger Woods' surname was stitched above the No. 24 worn by Giants legend Willie Mays. A Golf Digest blog reported that golfer Steve Stricker's caddy drew the No. 25 that all-time home run king Barry Bonds made famous. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
Caddies looking like real Giants Oct 8, 2009
Not surprisingly, Steve Williams had never even heard of a guy named Willie Mays. "I told you I don't know him," Williams said. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Notes: Mickelson Oct 8, 2009
Among the notable jerseys: Willie Mays' No. 24 (Woods' caddie, Steve Williams), Bobby/Barry Bonds' No. 25 (Steve Stricker's caddie, Jim Johnson) and Pablo Sandoval's No. 48 (Mike "Fluff" Cowan, Jim Furyk's caddie). This article appeared on page B - 6 of the San Francisco Chronicle. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Giants develop new personality in '09 Oct 5, 2009
Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, San Francisco's first pair of All-Star starting pitchers since Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry in 1966, provided elan along with effectiveness, as did third baseman Pablo Sandoval, the Giants' most effervescent performer since the great Willie Mays broke in during the 1951 season. This trio, each age 25 or younger, replaced Bonds as the collective face of the franchise. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
OPEN COURT: All eyes on Brett Oct 4, 2009
Willie Mays with the Mets, Joe Montana with the Chiefs, Michael Jordan with the Wizards I could go on all day. But it s an almost unprecedented event to see an all-time great playing a pivotal role for his original team s arch rival. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Eliminated Braves are optimistic for 10 Oct 3, 2009
Oh, before I forget, to a pretty cool Hank Aaron thing on LIFE.com, where hes discussing his career and the lives and careers of guys he played with and against, including Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Sandy Koufax, Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn and others ... Definitely not the best defensive outfielder but GA is not exactly Willie Mays either. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Jered Weaver stops three-start skid and Angels send A's to fifth straight loss Oct 3, 2009
Four other players have played in 150 games in 12 or more consecutive seasons: Willie Mays, Billy Williams, Pete Rose and Cal Ripken Jr.. Mike Napoli got caught in a rundown after taking too big a lead off second base in the second inning. (FOX61, CT)
Weaver looks playoff-ready Oct 3, 2009
" His streak of 11 consecutive seasons with at least 20 steals is the longest in the Majors. He most recently reached 30 steals in 2006 when he divided time between the Phillies and Yankees. Appearing in his 150th game on Thursday, Abreu reached yet another milestone, joining Willie Mays, Billy Williams, Pete Rose and Cal Ripken with at least 12 consecutive seasons with at least 150 games. Mays did it 13 times in a row. "That's another special club," Abreu said, beaming. Brian Fuentes nailed... (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
Blue Jays great White chats with fans Oct 2, 2009
And thanks for the compliment, but Willie Mays was the best. thegiper: Thanks for chatting with us. (MLB.com -- Toronto Blue Jays)
Weaver ready for final pre-ALDS nod Oct 2, 2009
Only Willie Mays, Pete Rose, Billy Williams and Cal Ripken have accomplished that feat. On Thursday, the Angels announced their Minor League awards for the 2009 season, naming infielder Alexi Amarista as Player of the Year, left-handed pitcher Trevor Reckling as Pitcher of the Year and outfielder Peter Bourjos as Defensive Player of the Year. (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
Gesture by Gibson a positive sign Oct 2, 2009
Bickley: Gesture by Gibson a good sign. Bickley: Gesture by Gibson a good sign. (AZCentral -- Sports)
THE BONUS: If one artist has his way, Mays' catch will live forever Oct 1, 2009
Artist Thom Ross honors Willie Mays' catch in 1954 World Series - The Bonus - SI.com ... Thom Ross commemorated Willie Mays' unbelievable catch in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series ... There it landed in the glove of the Giants' young phenom Willie Mays, who, running furiously with his back to home plate, caught the ball, wheeled around and fired it back into the infield to complete a play that, in the words of Birmingham News sports editor Alf Van Hoose (who had covered Mays since he played for... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Lackey ready for final ALDS tuneup Oct 1, 2009
Only Pete Rose and Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Billy Williams and Cal Ripken Jr. have accomplished that feat. LAA: RHP John Lackey (11-8, 3. (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
Overlooked star on overlooked team Oct 1, 2009
Willie Mays and Hank Aaron didn't have. 400 on-base percentages. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Angels beat Rangers 5-0 with combined 1-hitter Oct 1, 2009
The only other players with streaks that long were Willie Mays (13), Billy Williams (12), Pete Rose (12) and Cal Ripken Jr. (12). A victory in Thursday's home finale will give the Angels 50 wins at the Big A for the third straight season and ninth time in the franchise's 49-year history. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Scioscia points to Abreu as Halos' MVP Sep 30, 2009
" Abreu, who signed a one-year free-agent deal for $5 million on Feb. 12, has hit several career milestones this season. On Aug. 6, he homered in Chicago to join Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Joe Morgan and Craig Biggio as the only players in history to combine at least 250 homers, 2,000 hits, 1,000 runs scored, 1,000 RBIs and 300 steals. Abreu reached 100 RBIs on Saturday with a two-run homer against the Athletics. It was the seventh season in a row he has hit triple-digits in... (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
Lind lifts Jays with walk-off homer Sep 30, 2009
"No more than Willie Mays.". A fourth run for Seattle -- added against Jays reliever Casey Janssen in the seventh -- put Mariners right-hander Ian Snell in line for the victory after he limited the Jays to two runs (one earned) over 6 2/3 innings. (MLB.com -- Toronto Blue Jays)
Bruney basks in emotional moment Sep 30, 2009
Hank Aaron, Brooks Robinson, Willie Mays and Pete Rose are the others. Jerry Hairston, who hasn't played since Sept. 23 with tendinitis in his left wrist, is scheduled to take live batting practice on Tuesday, but he is not expected to play. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
Yanks enjoy a well-deserved day of rest Sep 30, 2009
Johnny Damon will take aim at exclusive company -- sometime this week he will join Hank Aaron, Brooks Robinson, Willie Mays and Pete Rose as the only Major Leaguers to play in at least 140 games for at least 14 consecutive seasons. Then there are playoff issues that continue to linger. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
A-Rod blending in, gaining comfort Sep 24, 2009
He will be one of five Major Leaguers all-time to play 14 or more consecutive seasons of 140 or more games, joining Henry Aaron, Brooks Robinson, Pete Rose and Willie Mays. Tickets. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
Clayborn, Defense Make a Point Sep 20, 2009
In the third quarter, squad turned offensive and began making life miserable for Arizona's sophomore signal caller Matt Scott, who eventually folded under the relentless pressure, tossing a pick to Iowa's Willie Mays, centerfielder/safety. The interceptions, Sash's fourth in the last two games and fifth this fall, resulted in a 40-yard field goal that pushed Iowa's lead to an insurmountable 20-10 early in the final 15 minutes. (Hawkeyesports.com)
Jeter should win his first MVP award Sep 18, 2009
That same season, the Giants' Willie Mays batted. 304 with 49 homers, 141 RBIs and 18 stolen bases on a team that adhered to a big-bang offensive credo. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Names & Faces Sep 17, 2009
Yes, there are some Giants, too, including Willie Mays (four different pieces) and Juan Marichal from the San Francisco days and old-timers Carl Hubbell and Christy Mathewson. This article appeared on page B - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Hot race at second for Giants' All-Time 9 Sep 16, 2009
The Official Site of the San Francisco Giants. Kent, Hornsby locked in one of closest votes of any team. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
Youngster Avila chats with fans Sep 15, 2009
Alex_Avila: I have a Willie Mays autographed baseball. Avila01: Hi Alexander, this is tu prima Carmen and family. (MLB.com -- Detroit Tigers)
Power-pop vets team up for Baseball Project Sep 15, 2009
The Baseball Project just recorded a new second volume, but the bulk of its material will come from the debut, which featured songs such as the Paisley Underground throwback "Jackie's Lament," country rocker "Satchel Paige Said," '60s psych-pop tune "Sometimes I Dream of Willie Mays" and "Broken Man," which delves into Mark McGwire and steroids. One highlight is "," a country two-step about the day the former Pirates pitcher lost his perfect game in the 13th inning. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Shea: Jeter as a Giant? Sep 13, 2009
He's 463 behind Willie Mays and 152 behind Mel Ott ... He's 463 behind Willie Mays and 152 behind Mel Ott. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Yanks keep guys fresh down the stretch Sep 13, 2009
Only Babe Ruth (15), Barry Bonds (15) and Willie Mays (13) have had longer streaks. Jeter has never recorded an extra-base hit in 32 career at-bats against Guthrie. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
Jeter able to step back, savor moment Sep 11, 2009
The Official Site of the New York Yankees. Off-day gives star chance to breathe before passing Gehrig. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
Cain, Giants take aim at division leaders Sep 10, 2009
Others are George Kelly (1921), Bill Terry (1932), Alvin Dark (1953), Willie Mays (1959), Jack Clark (1978), Barry Bonds (1998) and Jeff Kent (1999-2002). Tickets. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
'The Science of Baseball': Learn it, hands-on Sep 10, 2009
Also at Community Clubhouse, AT, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, S.F. (415) 397-5673. - Paul Kilduff. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Beltran's return a good problem Sep 9, 2009
The Mets turned two double plays with Willie Mays playing first base. On this date in 1999, the Revenge of the Former Dodgers produced a 3-1 Mets victory in Los Angeles. (MLB.com -- NY Mets Mets)
MUSTARD ROUNDTABLE: NFL picks, Coll. football Week 2 Sep 9, 2009
I would like to see a remake of Major League featuring the Pirates, except this time, they trade Willie Mays Hays (Nyjer Morgan) and Pedro Cerrano (Adam LaRoche) midseason for a keg of beer and two mascot outfits. Rubenstein: I have no in-depth insight as to how the Pirates can build a winning team, but if Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, , can make it to the bigs, I'll upgrade my Pirates fandom from "non-existent" to "curious." It's something. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Steady Jeter could top Rose's hits record Sep 8, 2009
The Official Site of the New York Yankees. Jeter could top Rose's hits record. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
Jeter's pursuit means 3,000 on horizon Sep 8, 2009
The Official Site of the New York Yankees. Plateau remains one that no Yankee has yet reached. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
3-Dot Lounge: A pocketful of Posey options Sep 5, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009. (09-04) 17:53 PDT -- Buster Posey's arrival sounds like a splendid decision by the Giants, and it is - unless you're manager Bruce Bochy. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Curtis Granderson Nominated For Roberto Clemente Award Sep 3, 2009
Last year's winner was Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals, and the likes of Baseball Hall of Famers such as Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Cal Ripken Jr. have garnered the honor. For more information on the Roberto Clemente Award, click. (Uicflames.com)
Warthen faces challenges with rotation Aug 29, 2009
Willie Mays hit his 17th home run of the month, breaking a record Mets announcer Ralph Kiner had established in September 1949, as the Giants defeated the Mets, 8-3, on this date in 1965. Eight years later, Mays drove in a run, and Jerry Koosman and Buzz Capra combine to shut out the Padres in a 3-0 victory at Shea Stadium. (MLB.com -- NY Mets Mets)
Gonzalez to join D-backs front office Aug 29, 2009
He is one of only 17 players in Major League history to collect at least 2,500 hits, 500 doubles, 350 home runs and 1,000 RBIs joining Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Carl Yastrzemski, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken, Dave Winfield, Rafael Palmeiro, Frank Robinson, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, Andrew Dawson, Ken Griffey, Jr., Tony Perez, Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams. I'm very happy with my career, the years that I played," Gonzalez told MLB.com earlier this month. "Where I grew up, baseball was a... (MLB.com -- Arizona Diamondbacks)
Season Opener Start Of Something New For Football Aug 27, 2009
-- Fredericksburg tailback J.C. Hickman borrows the catching technique of legendary baseball player Willie Mays as he hauls in a punt Friday night during the Billies second football scrimmage against San Antonio Johnson. FHS will open the regular season at Marble Falls on Friday at 7:30 p.m. -- Standard-Radio Post Photo by Matt Ward. (Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post, TX)
Covering the bases with Youkilis Aug 26, 2009
Just don t expect Ozzie Smith, Roberto Alomar, Carl Yastrzemski, Willie Mays, or Roberto Clemente. Happily, Youk is not complaining about any of this. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Lee JenkinsINSIDE BASEBALL Aug 26, 2009
Only six players in major league history have 2,000 hits, 1,000 RBIs, 1,000 walks, 1,000 runs, 300 steals and 250 home runs: Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Joe Morgan, Craig Biggio and Abreu. He will hit the free-agent market again this winter and, chances are, teams will still be concerned about his age and the economy. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Jenkins: 3-dot Lounge Aug 22, 2009
(08-21) 19:28 PDT -- At the height of the Dodgers-Giants rivalry - the mid-'60s, with emotions still simmering from the New York days - you could count on two things when Don Drysdale took the mound: He would throw at Willie Mays, and Willie McCovey would eat him alive ... Easy alternative to getting hit Articles At the height of the Dodgers-Giants rivalry - the mid-'60s, with emotions still simmering from the New York days - you could count on two things when Don Drysdale took the mound: He... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Easy alternative to getting hit Aug 22, 2009
(08-21) 19:28 PDT -- At the height of the Dodgers-Giants rivalry - the mid-'60s, with emotions still simmering from the New York days - you could count on two things when Don Drysdale took the mound: He would throw at Willie Mays, and Willie McCovey would eat him alive. Images. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
A Legacy PreservedMichael Rosenberg hails Ken Griffey Jr. as the anti-Favre: When retired, he'll stay retired. Aug 21, 2009
"Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, what they had to go through in their career ... Can you imagine how much easier it would have been if they were playing now and could concentrate on baseball?". Griffey always had the kind of talent that leads scouts to say he had "no ceiling," but in his mind, that was his ceiling: he was just a ballplayer. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Halos have many choices for Aaron Award Aug 21, 2009
His 250th career homer brought him into a class with Willie Mays, Rickie Henderson, Joe Morgan, Barry Bonds and Craig Biggio as the only players in MLB history to collect at least 250 homers, 2,000 hits, 1,000 runs scored, 1,000 RBIs and 300 steals. Abreu reached the 2,000-hit mark in Detroit in June and kept on banging away, claiming the American League Player of the Month Award for July. (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
Column: Quarterbacks decision-making scares Vikes fan Aug 21, 2009
alan_shore_CPandS wrote on Aug 20, 2009 3:37 PM:" A Mn fan not happy with Farve's decision. Rod, even went so far as to tell us his view of the day the Ref Got pegged with a whiskey bottle I really liked that one I went to look for the video, please send me a link to that one, lol. As far as Brett's quitting and coming back. Brett Farve is not the first sports player to change his mind about quitting. Boxing legends George Foreman and Ray Leonard changed their mind a couple times didn't they?, I... (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Celizic: Favre is worst flip-flopper in sports history Aug 19, 2009
And Willie Mays was forgiven long ago for hanging on past his sell-by date with the Mets. And Clemens replaced his legacy of indecision with one of needles and denial. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Chat transcript: Outfielder Matt Kemp Aug 19, 2009
(I liked the Willie Mays one). Matt Kemp: Probably the one I made against Matt Diaz and the Braves a couple weeks ago in right-center. (MLB.com -- Los Angeles Dodgers)
Patience pays off for Sonoma's Everidge Aug 14, 2009
"Sonoma is a small town, and if you go to the store, you go to the gas station, and everyone is talking about Tommy. That first night he played in Oakland, there were a boatload of us there, cheering together like kids. I got Tommy to give me a little wave, and I felt like it was Willie Mays.". It is, at last, Tommy's Time. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Lincecum ready to face Manny, Dodgers Aug 12, 2009
The skipper said he had reminisced with Giants legend Willie Mays about facing Dodgers great Don Drysdale in a different era of the game -- when knocking hitters off the plate was a more oft-used tactic. Mays -- who in 1958 moved with the Giants from New York to San Francisco just as Drysdale came with the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles -- would, from time to time anyway, get knocked down with a high and hard fastball from the famed right-hander. (MLB.com -- San Francisco Giants)
SABINO: The Rangers are in unfamiliar territory -- the wild-card race Aug 12, 2009
The others: Old Hoss Radbourn for the 1882 Providence Grays (18th inning), Earl Averill for the 1935 (15th inning), Willie Mays for the 1963 (16th inning) and Adrian Garrett for the 1975 (16th inning). The next day (Sunday) Rodriguez moved into sole possession of ninth place, with his 574th career shot, nine behind Mark McGwire in eighth. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- MLB)
Sheffield would like to play to 3,000 hits Aug 10, 2009
"Someone told me I had an outside shot at 3,000. So I said, 'Why not?' I wasn't thinking about it. Then they said not many guys have 500 homers and 3,000 hits [Henry Aaron, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro and Eddie Murray]. So now I want to try. Why give up when I'm pretty close ... and when I can still play? "When I set my mind to something, I go after it. So I'm ready to sacrifice two more offseasons to get myself into the kind of shape I used to be in when I knew I was going to play every day. (MLB.com -- NY Mets Mets)
Career RBI Leaders Aug 10, 2009
Search Local Business Listings. 8/9/2009, 2:30 a.m. PDT. (OregonLive, OR -- Sports)
Top Sports Stories Pujols hits century mark in RBI as Cardinals top Pirates Aug 9, 2009
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Willie Mays and Hank Aaron didn't drive in runs at the start of their careers like Albert Pujols has done. Stan Musial and Barry Bonds didn't, either. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
Coming out on the short end of a long night Aug 8, 2009
Willie Mays finally won it with a homer off Spahn in the 16th. Marichal threw 227 pitches to get the win. (Boston Globe)
A-Rod's walk-off shot ends classic Aug 8, 2009
A-Rod joined Adrian Garrett (Angels, 1975), Willie Mays (Giants, 1963), Earl Averill (Indians, 1935) and Old Hoss Radbourn (Grays, 1882) in the select quintet. Extra special. (MLB.com -- NY Yankees Yankees)
Angels confront improved Rangers Aug 7, 2009
Abreu joins Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Joe Morgan, Rickey Henderson and Craig Biggio. The Angels are 14-17 against AL West opponents. (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
