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It has been more than 24 hours since news of Willie Mays passing away at age 93 first hit. There have been plenty of words spewed from all corners of the internet that summarize the type of human he was in addition to the baseball statistics he accumulated. Both are legendary, which makes looking back at his life a worthwhile trip.
He is perhaps the best player in baseball history, especially when you consider that his home run totals were throttled by playing in the Polo Grounds and Candlestick Park and that he missed almost two full seasons due to military service. That he passed two days before one of Mays’ former teams, the San Francisco Giants, plays the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., has some poetry to it.
While it is sad that Mays didn’t see the historic Negro Leagues stadium host an MLB game, the celebration of Mays that was already scheduled took on a new significance. There are links to a few articles near the end of this article that give terrific insight into Mays. There are also many more. Make sure to read at least one.
In honor of Willie pic.twitter.com/WuCEjhVyVV
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024
Today’s Headlines
Orioles Ruin Cole’s Return
It wasn’t a dominant Gerrit Cole. It also wasn’t a below-average Cole. Cole’s first start of the season for the New York Yankees was just enough to get his feet wet in 2024. The 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner struck out five in four-plus innings, but the Baltimore Orioles came away with a 7-6 victory in 10 innings. Cedric Mullins delivered the go-ahead hit and later scored on a throwing error as the Orioles overcame a blown ninth-inning lead on Giancarlo Stanton’s game-tying single. Cole had been sidelined since spring training with right elbow discomfort. He walked one, allowed three hits and was charged with two runs, the second scoring when reliever Ron Marinaccio surrendered a two-run homer to Ramón Urías, the first batter after Cole’s departure in the fifth inning.
Bradish Has Tommy John Surgery
In yet another blow to the Orioles’ starting rotation, right-hander Kyle Bradish had Tommy John surgery Tuesday. Bradish, 27, who was fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2023, is not expected to return until sometime after the All-Star break next season. Bradish is the third Orioles starter to have UCL surgery in the last three weeks. Left-hander John Means had his second Tommy John surgery, while right-hander Tyler Wells had a UCL revision surgery with an internal brace. Also, left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe had bone chips removed from his left elbow and is expected to be out until September.
Bibee Fans 12 To Revive Guardians
Faced with potentially losing a season-worst fourth straight game, Tanner Bibee turned in a start for the Cleveland Guardians that has him being considered for ace status. The right-hander struck out a career-best 12 as the Guardians toppled the Seattle Mariners 8-0. Bibee’s dozen K’s followed up an 11-strikeout performance in his last start a week ago against the Cincinnati Reds. Josh Naylor hit a pair of homers and drove in four runs, while Steven Kwan continued his hot hitting by going 2-for-3, including a two-run homer.
Josh Naylor, All-Star, just feels right.https://t.co/6q00zMmMR6#ForTheLand | #VoteGuards pic.twitter.com/KAH9yXiK93
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 20, 2024
Buehler Back On IL; Kershaw Makes Rehab Start
Walker Buehler’s return to the Los Angeles Dodgers has not gone anywhere close to the script he envisioned. The right-handed starter landed on the 15-day injured list with right hip inflammation. He was hit in that area Tuesday on a comebacker. Buehler has struggled since returning from his second Tommy John surgery, posting a 5.84 ERA in eight starts, including allowing seven runs in four innings Tuesday.
Right-hander Bobby Miller (right shoulder inflammation) returned from the IL and started Wednesday vs. the Colorado Rockies. Meanwhile, three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw made his first rehab start as he makes his way back from left shoulder surgery. Kershaw pitched three innings for the low Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, allowing one run on two hits while striking out five and issuing one intentional walk on 36 pitches (26 strikes).
Clayton Kershaw is BACK.
The @Dodgers lefty and 3-time Cy Young Award winner returns to the mound following offseason shoulder surgery and strikes out 5 in his first rehab start for the @RCQuakes! pic.twitter.com/qM6Gnf7TD5
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 20, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Hometown Hero
Willie Mays meant a lot to Birmingham. This mural is just one way of honoring him.
In Birmingham, this amazingly gorgeous mural is being unveiled today. pic.twitter.com/iKQs2Qkqg6
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) June 19, 2024
Helmet Helper
No words needed.
The butterfly effect 🦋 pic.twitter.com/h4O6e2JvpA
— MLB (@MLB) June 20, 2024
His Power Is Electric
Minnesota Twins slugger Royce Lewis homered for the fourth time in six games. This one had a little more impact, knocking out the ribbon board at Target Field.
Royce Lewis' power often disrupts games.
It also apparently disrupts electrical devices. pic.twitter.com/Ok58T7zDmK
— MLB (@MLB) June 20, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is day-to-day after taking a pitch off his right elbow.
⚾ Left-handed reliever Kent Emanuel was designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins.
⚾ The Chicago Cubs made two moves involving catchers, signing free agent Tomás Nido and DFA’d Yan Gomes.
Articles You Should Read
Mays was my friend, but maybe you didn’t know he was your friend, too — John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle
Mays, a midcentury masterpiece, was our connection to a different time — Marc Carig, The Athletic
Mays is an icon whose fiber is ingrained in baseball — Russell Dorsey, Yahoo Sports
Remembering the best player of a generation that electrified baseball — Tyler Kepner, The Athletic
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