Living legend

Mays wants to be known as the 'best player in the world'

Willie Mays throws the ceremonial first pitch as Juan Marichal laughs before Game 3. AP

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Ted Williams always wanted to be known as "the greatest hitter who ever lived."

Willie Mays has his own description he hopes people use when they see him.

"Hopefully, they can say, 'There goes the best baseball player in the world.' Hopefully," Mays said Tuesday before Game 3 of the World Series.

"I honestly believe I did everything in baseball that a baseball player can do, and I did it with love."

Mays did just that. He hit 660 career homers -- the third most ever -- batted .302 and had 3,283 career hits and is viewed by many as the best all-around player who ever played the game.

Mays was a 20-time All-Star, a two-time MVP, a 12-time Gold Glove winner and a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

If others don't view him as the best ever than that's just fine with the Say Hey Kid.

"I can only go by what I feel," he said. "If they don't like the way I play, I can't change that either. I did everything. If it wasn't good enough for people, then, hey, I got to move on. I can't stop."

Mays is particularly enjoying this year's World Series between his former team, the San Francisco Giants, and the Anaheim Angels.

There's also the added bonus of watching godson Barry Bonds play in his first Series.

"I know, for one, I'm very happy about it because I think Barry is the type of kid, he's 38 now, he may not have another shot at it," Mays said. "I think he'd like it right now."

Mays has been wearing his 1954 Series ring as a way to motivate Bonds. But he says there's not much else he can do to help his godson.

"I don't work with Barry on his offense because I think he's a tremendous player right now," Mays said. "He doesn't need me. The only thing Barry needs right now is tuning up. Every now and then, he'll get excited about an at-bat and I go to him and we'd talk. Once he understood what I'm talking about, I'll leave. I don't think I should harp on it."

Amazingly, some of the less-accomplished Giants aren't as receptive to help from a Hall of Famer.

"I will go to a couple of guys if I feel they want help, but I don't like to go to guys when I feel I'm going to be rejected. Any ballplayer, if he ever came up to me and wanted me to help him, I would be there regardless of who he may be."

 

Related information

Stories

Heavy Hitters: Members of the 500-HR Club Even at 38, Bonds relies on Mays for guidance

Stats

All-Time Stats: Willie Mays

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video