Celebrating Willie Mays at 93

By Jay Horwitz

I want to wish a happy birthday to my childhood idol, Willie Mays.

The Say Hey Kid turns 93 today. My first memory of Willie is when I was nine years old and watched him make that spectacular catch and throw at the Polo Grounds in the World Series against the Indians’ Vic Wertz.

In the late 1950’s, when the Mets were not yet in existence, my dad took me to Philadelphia to watch Willie and the Giants play at Connie Mack Stadium.

One day I was lucky enough to get an autographed ball, which I still have today. One of the big thrills for me was when Rusty Staub arranged a meeting with Willie in San Francisco.

Thanks to the efforts of Steve and Alex Cohen we were able to retire Mays’ number in 2022 and I get such a thrill when I see No. 24 in the rafters at Citi Field.

I have developed a close relationship with Willie’s son Michael, and I am able to keep up on his physical condition. He hasn’t been able to travel much lately, and I am hoping that I get a chance to see my idol again in the not-too-distant future. All the best to the best who ever played.