Category: Baseball

Remembering Willie Mays: 1931-2024

Published on by @DwPolkLeave a comment

A Brief Willie Mays Story: My Uncle was African-American (former Baltimore Colt/Army Officer/Doctor of Education). Willie Mays needed two more people for a round of golf in San Francisco. My Uncle and his friend agreed to play. Before starting, my Uncle and his friend decided to pretend that they didn’t know who Willie Mays was. They made it to the 4th hole, when Willie says to them, “Say Hey, don’t you boys know who I am?” My Uncle told me that Willie Mays was a great guy. Perhaps the greatest baseball player of all time. Rest In Peace…

With NY Giants Pitcher Johnny Antonelli

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My grandfather was a pitcher in the Cape Cod Baseball League before serving in World War II. He enjoyed sports and spending time with other athletes. During his retirement years in Florida he played golf with Johnny Antonelli. Antonelli was the ace pitcher (21-7 with a 2.30 ERA) for the New York Giants in 1954 when they won the World Series. I spent a day with Johnny and my grandfather watching spring training games in 1986. Antonelli let me wear his World Series ring for an entire game. Johnny Antonelli died just this past February at the age of 89. More about him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Antonelli