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Did anyone see Willie Mays totally ignore Josh Hamilton and Flukedome?
frankhardy
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During the introduction at last night's All Star game, Josh Hamilton was introduced and went out to centerfield. When he arrived, he tried to shake Willie Mays' hand. Willie Mays totally ignored him, so Hamilton settled for patting him on the back. I think he treated Flukedome the same way. Normally, I would just give someone the benefit of the doubt. However, I have seen and hear of Willie Mays acting this way more than once. I think it was very arrogant.
Shane
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<< <i>During the introduction at last night's All Star game, Josh Hamilton was introduced and went out to centerfield. When he arrived, he tried to shake Willie Mays' hand. Willie Mays totally ignored him, so Hamilton settled for patting him on the back. I think he treated Flukedome the same way. Normally, I would just give someone the benefit of the doubt. However, I have seen and hear of Willie Mays acting this way more than once. I think it was very arrogant. >>
He was like that when he autographed at shows too back in the day (I'm talking like 18 years ago or so too). The guy's a first class joker on a lot of occassions, and quite honestly from the way he acted at the shows, I think he's racist.
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he seems like a very bitter and unhappy person thats why I do not collect him
Usually the ones who complain the most about being treated bad and are fact to call race discrimination are almost always the true racists.
At least McCovey made an effort to stand up to wave to the crowd.
<< <i>Isn't Mays Barry Bonds Godfather? Hmmm? >>
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<< <i>I think he's mad at the world because that new birth control pill is called Yaz. And if that's not the reason, it should be. >>
That's hilarious!! He should sign on as a spokesperson. His pic can be on all the boxes. And Red Sox fans can collect them and have them graded.
He did not get appropriate recognition last night as the greatest living player, and that probably bothered him. No, it shouldn't matter but it probably did to him. No question he has an ego, but don't we all? And his bitterness of his racial treatment in the 40's and 50's is well documented. Should he get over it? Yes. Will he? Never.
There's no doubt he's been mean over the years, including at shows, but the line forms to the left for that kind of behavior. Not even Mantle was immune to that. There are others as well, like the irrational mean spiritedness at times from Johnny Bench, or the incredible arrogance of Joe Morgan. Or the coldness of Mike Schmidt.
There's a good article in Sports Illustrated last week on why Mays is Mays.
Ron
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Speaking, of Yankee fans, pretty low class the way they booed Papelbon in the 8th inning - although I suppose the Sox fans would have done the same thing to Rivera if the game had been in Fenway. Neither venue a place for the thin-skinned.
Mays has always been an arrogant a**. He gets away with it because everybody kisses his butt anyway, and he was probably the greatest 5-skill player of his generation.
Yeah, things can look so one-sided at times, but has anyone ever bothered to think about the fact that Willie Mays is in his mid to late 70's, and might not feel the best? Maybe he is in poor health? I have read where Willie's eye sight is pretty bad these days. I realize he may be a jerk, but not everything is always as cut and dry as it seems from the outside. Especially, once we get older.
All I can say is that we better appreciate the fact that we get to see the second greatest player to ever play, while he is still alive. Future generations will not get that opportunity.
i met him twice, he was gracious and friendly....maybe i caught him on good days.
Mays always seems like a jerkwad, in public, in private, on TV. definitely a bitter old man; i feel sorry for him.
question: did the yankee fans BOO Yaz? i missed the introductions and such. I didnt have a problem with them booing Papsmear, thats a good current rivalry; heck they just made him made, good luck scoring any runs off them. I personaly would never boo any HOF'er even the assbags, they get at least a tiny bit of respect, and we can always bash them later on a message board.
<< <i>- although I suppose the Sox fans would have done the same thing to Rivera if the game had been in Fenway. >>
As a Sox fan (not just since the 2004 WSC either) I have a LOT of respect for Rivera. He's one stellar athlete and lock for the HOF. But you're right, if bleepho1es could fly, this country would be one big airport.
Edit- Im not saying its right to treat people like that but I can fully understand why.
Shane
<< <i>Yeah, saw that & chalked it up to Mays being a douche bag. I also read the recent S.I. story on him, and try as they might even S.I. couldn't hide the fact Willie is just an A-hole. And as far as being bitter about his past treatment, no doubt, and I can sort of understand, but then how do you explain almost every Negro League player being so gracious and classy when surely they experienced far worse treatment than Mays? >>
I read that article and you are right. Let me ask everyone this where would Willie be without baseball? I have heard stories that he didnt know what to do with his money when he came into the league and basically had to have his team mates take care of him. Dont bite the hand that feeds you.
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<< <i>Personally I couldnt care less if Mays is disgruntled either, why should he get over it? Taking a look at these althetes today who make more money than god and who are coddled whenever the slightest little ache or pain hits should get minimal respect from an old timer like Mays. Not to mention this guy lived through the "Whites Only" and back of the bus mentality and has a right IMO to be angry because of it. I am a White guy and have nothing but respect for these older guys who's family history had it insanely tougher than most of us could imagine.
Edit- Im not saying its right to treat people like that but I can fully understand why. >>
Why should he get over it? Because Josh Hamilton and Flukedome HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO HIM. That's why. Hey, it's horrible that he was mistreated in the 1940s and 50s - and probably later than that. But it wasn't those two guys doing it to him. So, yeah, Willie should get over it and treat those guys with the respect he feels he deserves too.
Tabe
Some of the best on the field, where it counts. Ive met Mays about 5 times and I know what to expect going in, he is what he is.
<< <i>
<< <i>Personally I couldnt care less if Mays is disgruntled either, why should he get over it? Taking a look at these althetes today who make more money than god and who are coddled whenever the slightest little ache or pain hits should get minimal respect from an old timer like Mays. Not to mention this guy lived through the "Whites Only" and back of the bus mentality and has a right IMO to be angry because of it. I am a White guy and have nothing but respect for these older guys who's family history had it insanely tougher than most of us could imagine.
Edit- Im not saying its right to treat people like that but I can fully understand why. >>
Why should he get over it? Because Josh Hamilton and Flukedome HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO HIM. That's why. Hey, it's horrible that he was mistreated in the 1940s and 50s - and probably later than that. But it wasn't those two guys doing it to him. So, yeah, Willie should get over it and treat those guys with the respect he feels he deserves too.
Tabe >>
You might not have understood what I was saying. I am talking in general about his behavior that people in this thread are reffering to, its not about Hamilton and Fikedome- I thought my Edit cleared that up.
<< <i>There's a good article in Sports Illustrated last week on why Mays is Mays. >>
I was going to suggest reading that, too.
It's possible that it was a deliberate snub. Old schoolers can be kind of brusqe about those things. I remember a few years ago seeing Johnny Vander Meer flatly refuse to say anything good about Doc Gooden because of his drug problems. As far as he was concerned, Gooden had no place in the game and it was just as simple as that. It's not a view I share, but it's not uncommon among players of previous generations.
My take on it was that Willie was talking to Kosuke and didn't notice Hamilton, at least at first. They switched away so quickly that I don't really know how that developed. If he continued to do it, then a lot of the negative reaction here is warranted. Not sure if he did. There were a lot of too-quick cuts. I wanted to see Chipper interact with the other third basemen more than I got to.
Personally, I didn't enjoy seeing the career leader in RBIs and uncontested home runs in the history of the game sort of shoved aside like he was just another right fielder, but that's just me.
had never become a baseball player, that he would of been the greatest in something else. Maybe he was getting back at every single person who ever
said anything bad about Bonds, he is after all innocent right?
Ask Carlton where being sour gets you, Mays was one of the greatest, but there is more to being great in baseball than just stats, Mays doesn't get it and he never
will. Guys like Mattingly and Ripken will always be more loved to their fans. Does Mays even have any fans?
As sad as it may seem, the thing I will probably remember about Mays after he dies, is his sour face and arrogance. Have a nice life Willie!
Kevin
it only added to the dissing because him and F-Dome probably were saying "hi, how are you?" over and over agan until Hamilton passed......
<< <i>it was intentional by Mays...i think he is dead against drugs (steroids or heroin) and he was making a point.....
it only added to the dissing because him and F-Dome probably were saying "hi, how are you?" over and over agan until Hamilton passed...... >>
I doubt it, his boy Bonds is still golden isn't he?
/s/ JackWESQ
<< <i>But I think most would agree that being a great former baseball player has nothing to do with being a warm, charming and gracious person.
/s/ JackWESQ >>
There were many greats on that field and many warn and charming people. Many players are gracous for what they had and for the fans.
js
um... because he's dead....
do you wish Mr. Mayes to join him in the great beyond?
<< <i>I have heard about Willie Mays being a sour person, but I can't say either way, since I never personally met him(I would love to, though).
Yeah, things can look so one-sided at times, but has anyone ever bothered to think about the fact that Willie Mays is in his mid to late 70's, and might not feel the best? Maybe he is in poor health? I have read where Willie's eye sight is pretty bad these days. I realize he may be a jerk, but not everything is always as cut and dry as it seems from the outside. Especially, once we get older.
All I can say is that we better appreciate the fact that we get to see the second greatest player to ever play, while he is still alive. Future generations will not get that opportunity. >>
I'm not trying to bigshot here but I interviewed Mays and DiMaggio in 1993 (for a newspaper column) at the opening of a public golf course here in Texas (owned by Cappy Hirada of the Giants). They both couldn't have been more cooperative with me. Pete Rose was there too, soon after he got out of jail. Mays and Rose hit it left to right (fade). DiMaggio, the oldest, hit the sweetest little drawshot you ever saw. Like I wrote--in another era it would have been a standup double
<< <i>" why cant willie mays be more like Buck O'Neil......... "
um... because he's dead....
do you wish Mr. Mayes to join him in the great beyond? >>
lol funny, i know THAT, i meant be more like him (when he was alive)
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<< <i>Personally, I didn't enjoy seeing the career leader in RBIs and uncontested home runs in the history of the game sort of shoved aside like he was just another right fielder, but that's just me. >>
I noticed that as well and had simular thoughts. It's almost as if now since the 'roided up freak beat his record by 7 HRs that he is somehow diminished in the minds of some people. Not mine however. Hank is one of the true all time greats.
<< <i> Hank is one of the true all time greats. >>
Amen to that.
Or, maybe he wasn't feeling good, or maybe because ....
Willie just witnessed a, suspected by many but proven by none, juiced-up Josh Hamilton smack a record-breaking 28 1st round monster dingers the night before at the Home Run Derby.
Then the very next night, an extremely proud Hamilton jogs out to Mays for a meet-a-living-legend hand shake, only to have Willie turns his back as if to say, "no way.... you're not in my league, kid!".
As I watched Mays snub Hamilton, all I could think about was, I wonder how different the situation would have been had Mickey Mantle been standing there in center field instead of Mays.
Mantle and Mays were both born in 1931. Mantle would have been 77 years old in October; Mays is already 77.
Having Yogi there was special, but what a difference Mickey Mantle would have made!
I guess it boils down to us never really knowing why Mays acted the way he did, but right or wrong, he probably had his reasons.
I don't think we've heard the end of this saga. I'm sure it's being discussed on hundreds or boards like this one, and it shouldn't be too long before ESPN comes up with a leak from someone that has a litttle more insight.