NFL
By: Greg Rector
Usually, I do every sport and cover every death in the past year. This year, though, I will focus on those we lost in 2024 in Major League Baseball. From “The Say Hey Kid,” Willie Mays went through to the untimely passing of Rickey Henderson in 2024, and baseball fans mourned the passing of so many great legends.
Willie Mays – Outfielder
When I first started watching baseball, Mays was still playing. He played for 23 seasons, beginning in 1951 and ending in 1973. He was the centerfielder for the New York Giants, and, of course, when he made “The Catch” in the 1954 World Series, everyone immortalized Mays. The Catch was made in baseball’s deepest centerfield at 483 feet.
His speed was incredible, and his power-hitting abilities, with 660 career home runs, made Mays a definite five-tool player. When the Giants moved out to San Francisco, he was the star of West Coast baseball. He was the first player to join the 30/30 club, now long since passed by Shohei Ohtani and many others. He was the first right-handed hitter to reach 600 career home runs.
Willie Mays was simply a great baseball player.
Mays went to the New York Mets, and his salary was guaranteed, including, waiting for it, Bobby Bonilla fans. He was awarded $50,000.00 for ten years after his career ended. Mays played very little for the Mets in 1973, and after losing the World Series to the Oakland Athletics, Mays retired. He played in 24 All-Star games, tied for the most ever played. Willie Mays passed away at the age of 93.
Pete Rose– Played every position except for Pitcher and Catcher.
Pete Rose just heard his name, and one of two feelings came over people. Many feel Pete Rose destroyed baseball after his banishment for gambling while he was managing the Cincinnati Reds. Many others, like myself, didn’t like hearing about Rose gambling on games, especially since the Black Sox scandal in 1919 almost ruined baseball. However, no one was tougher to face than Pete Rose regarding baseball players.
Pete Rose was born in Cincinnati and was the hometown hero for the Reds from the time he started playing for the Reds in 1963. When he was walked by New York Yankees great Whitey Ford in a spring training game that spring, he hustled down to the first base, and Ford, ever the quipster, called Rose “Charlie Hustle.” the nickname he wore as a badge of honor.
Rose would make 17 All-Star games at Right and Left Field, second, third, and First Base—something no other player has ever done. Rose has the major league record for hits with 4,256, and as a switch-hitter, he also had a .303 career batting average. He also played more games than anyone else in MLB history, 3,562. His base hitting was dominated by singles 3,251, and he only hit 160 home runs.
When Pete Rose played, there was nothing he wouldn’t do to win. In 1970, he bowled over Cleveland Indians catcher Ray Fosse in the All-Star game. Separating the shoulder of Fosse and pretty much ruining his career. This was back in the good old days of baseball when you only played the American League in the All-Star game in the daytime.
Rose led the Big Red Machine as the Reds were known to the World Series in 1975 and 1976 and won one more World Series title in 1980 with the Philadelphia Phillies. For me to say this is simple: Pete Rose, the baseball player, belongs in Cooperstown as a player. As a manager, he is also recognized as a black mark against gambling. He finally admitted in 2004 to gambling on Reds games and that SIN must never be allowed not to be recognized.
Rose passed away at the age of 83.
Fernando Valenzuela– Pitcher
When Fernadomania happened, I was awestruck at this pudgy kid from Mexico dominating National League hitters. Fernando Valenzuela made baseball a fun event. As my “Brother In Anger,” George Lopez wrote when he memorialized Valenzuela.
There isn’t much else I can add to George’s excellent piece. His performance in the 1981 World Series, when he pitched a complete game and threw 146 pitches, must seem strange to the more modern baseball game. I miss the good old days when pitchers started and completed games.
His screwball was so tough to hit, and it was a masterpiece when he used that pitch. “El Toro” became a broadcaster for the Dodgers from 2003 until he passed this year when he passed away at the age of 63.
Rickey Henderson–
“I set a record every day, but we never discuss it. We’ll talk about a home run hitter 24/7. Well, they haven’t broken any records, but they hit homers, and that’s what matters nowadays. You continue playing and accomplish a lot, and you’d think people would consider it a fantastic career. Instead, Rickey thinks people want Rickey to quit more than anything.” Those were the words of Rickey Henderson in 2003.
Rickey Henderson goes down as the most exciting player I ever watched play. He owns the Major League records for Base Steals, 1,406 Runs, 2,295 unintentional walks, and lead-off home runs with 81. His one-season record of 130 stolen bases was terrific to watch in 1982. When he had 84 stolen bases by the All-Star break, I knew the days of one of my heroes, Lou Brock, being the stolen base king would end.
In 60 postseason games, including 3 World Series (1989, ’90, and ’93), Henderson batted .284 (63-for-222) with 47 runs scored, 12 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 20 RBI, 33 stolen bases, 37 walks, .389 on-base percentage, .441 slugging percentage, and .831 on-base plus slugging percentage.
For the New York Yankees, he stole more bases than anyone had ever stolen in 566 career games. Until Derek Jeter finally passed him after playing in 2.356 games.
Many others stole his head-first slide, but no one did better than Rickey Henderson. Henderson died just five days short of his 66th birthday on December 20th. Sad to see the Christmas Day-born Henerson pass away indeed.
As for the other athletes who died in 2024, of course, your memories will be held dearly by sports fans everywhere. This year, those four men who passed away in Major League history deserve to be honored separately.
Happy New Year!!!
