Steve Stone tells Willie Mays’ incredible story of playing together originally appearing on NBC Sports Chicago
On Tuesday, the baseball world mourned after news surfaced of the death of legend Willie Mays. He was 93.
During the White Sox broadcast of their game against the Astros on NBC Sports Chicago, color commentator and Mays’ former teammate Steve Stone heard the news. And he told an incredible story about their playing days together with the San Francisco Giants.
“There was one catch he made working with Bobby Bonds,” Stone began. “Bobby Bonds was taller than Willie, maybe an inch or two. And there was one where they both ran to the right-center field alley. They both jumped, almost on cue, for the same ball leaving the ballpark. .
“And Willie’s glove went about a foot higher than Bobby’s. When they both hit the wall together, they both slid down the fence together, and Willie had the baseball.
And that particular catch was shown to many different people in many different places. It still remains an indelible impression I have of Willie Mays and his abilities because Bonds was faster, he was bigger, he was faster, but he didn’t. I don’t get to the ball as quickly as Willie.”
Stone, who was pitching for the Giants at the time, said the catch left him speechless in the dugout.
“Well, there’s not much you can say. Just look at it and say, ‘Hey, that’s pretty good,'” Stone said.
After a fan (H/T @bennyheis) posted the video of Stone’s amazing story, he found footage of the exact catch Stone shared during the broadcast. And it’s every bit as amazing as Stone depicted it.
The two-time Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player and 24-time All-Star is considered by many to be one of the best baseball players ever.
“My father passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” son Michael Mays said in a statement. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his lifeblood.”
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