The San Francisco Giants honored Willie Mays on his 80th birthday Friday night in a ceremony worthy of a baseball legend, complete with a letter from the President Barack Obama celebration and a video tribute as everyone of the included Commissioner Bud Selig to the singer Tony Bennett.
Mays led on a trolley of field golf centre hump and received a roaring standing ovation in a packed room of more than 42 000 AT & T Park. At one point in the timeline, Mays was her face of wiping and pulling down his old giant Cap.
"I'm so happy," said Mays, wearing a black coat on a sharp grey suit, white shirt and orange tie on a cold night by the Bay. "When you have people like you guys to come and cheer for me, it is just a wonderful, wonderful feeling."
The video appears on the dashboard before Center field the Giants rallied to beat the Rockies of Colorado 4-3 in the first game of a series of three games highlighted career of Hall of Famer. It also includes greeting of anniversary of Hank Aaron, Bill Cosby, and former President Bill Clinton.
Home Run King Barry Bonds, Godson of Mays, had a separate video played after the fifth channel thanking Mays for his advice over the years. Links, fresh off a federal perjury trial in which a jury recognized guilty to a charge of obstruction of justice, said that he was "an honour for me and my family, to be part of your life."
Others also had memories to share.
"After my childhood watching you on TV, it was my idea of what a baseball player might be. And became one of the greatest thrills of my presidency to meet with you and become your friend, Clinton has.
There were balloons oranges, black and white which pointed to the ballpark on a day, Mayor of San Francisco Edwin Lee stated "Willie Mays day." Fans wearing hats anniversary and some even printed jersey No. 24 old the Mays coming out.
Hall of Fame, Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry and Orlando Cepeda with some of his teammates from the Mays dating back to the Negro Leagues were present. They have honoured the praise of the Mays — 660 home runs, 24 time All-Star Game selections and 12 price may be the best fielder ever - gold glove but also a man who is always liked, the incarnation of the so-called Golden Era of baseball.
"If they had a Nobel Prize for baseball, Willie would have won," said the color of longtime Giants announcer Lon Simmons.
The first 20,000 fans to arrive also received a statue of the replica of one that is located outside of the waterfront ballpark, Willie Mays Plaza. The children of Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club were on hand for the festivities.
Earlier in the clubhouse, Mays eat a layered vanilla birthday cake with white frosting which was presented by the team. He has served in speaking of Mike Murphy clubhouse Manager's Office - what else? -baseball past and present.
"It really is very beneficial for all the guys, myself, to have someone of his stature - could be the greatest player of all time - stroll in our cottage and talk baseball with the guys," said Bruce Bochy Giants Manager. "" "". There are a great way to him. ?
Mays remained part of Giants well after his career.
It is a habitué of the clubhouse, both in the park AT & T and the formation of spring - never shy to offer some words of no-nonsense youth and veterans alike, even if the Hall of Famer moves a little slower these days.
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