Back in 1972, the Giants traded Willie Mays to the Mets.  He was supposedly finished as a player, but he was still Willie Mays and ticket sales reflected that. 

A year later, the Mets got into the World Series and Mays got another shot to play in what they used to call The Fall Classic.

In the summer of 1972, I joined a few school friends and we drove to New York for a little sightseeing.  We learned that the Mets were in town and we took the train to Shea to watch #24. 

It was a thrill and the crowd went crazy every time that Willie was on the field. I remember telling my parents that I got to watch Mays. They asked: “What about "los rascacielos" (Spanish for skyscrapers)” and I said they were O.K. 

Seeing Mays play was my highlight of that trip.

Willie Mays died yesterday.  He was 93.  I don't know if he was the best ever but he was one of the best.   

This is from Chris Haft:

Few ballplayers matched the multifaceted brilliance of Mays, who ranks sixth all time with 660 home runs and won 12 Gold Glove Awards for his defense in center field -- which he helped turn into the game's most glamorous position in the 1950s, when he, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider all played for New York clubs. Mays became the first player to exceed 300 homers and 300 stolen bases in 1969, reflecting his ideal blend of power and speed.