San Francisco – In true walk-off fashion, the Giants walked it home for Willie Mays. After a memorable trip to the iconic Rickwood Field in Alabama, San Francisco down 4-0 rallied back for the 5-4 walk-off win over the Chicago Cubs to highlight a night that honored the “Greatest Giant” to ever play the game.
After the Cubs went up 4-0 in the fourth, San Francisco got rolling when both Matt Chapman and Nick Ahmad hit homers in the fifth and sixth frames to make it a 4-2 game. Bottom of the ninth, Austin Slater’s sacrifice fly tied the game 4-4. Drew Smyly intentionally walked Heliot Ramos, then walked Wilmer Flores for the win.
Two of the Giants’ best hitters got a free pass, number 24 walked, and number 24 scored. The team all donned #24 jerseys in honor of the late Mays. It was a perfect night, in front of a sellout crowd to remember a man who continues to inspire the game of baseball.
“We all got to wear No. 24, so that’s pretty cool,” said manager Bob Melvin. “And then all the stuff pregame certainly gets your attention. We’ve been thinking about this all week, and to finally win a game for him… whether it was Rickwood or whatever, we had trouble winning games during his tributes. It was good to be able to do it at home here.”
Not quite the same catch Mays made in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, which made him famous, but it did give you a “tingly” feeling that Mays’ presence was felt at Oracle Park.
“Every time I watch his [Willie Mays] highlights and everything, I dream of making a catch like that,” Ramos said. “I don’t think I was even close.”
A storied career and icon, Mays continued his legacy as a Giant until his death. Mays was a fixture at the ballpark. Always smiling and giving good advice to young guys. A statue of the “Say Hey Kid” stands in front of the entrance to Oracle Park. Hundreds of flowers were left since his death to honor his memory. The Giants also honored his memory in the press box with top articles on his best games and photos of the greatest to play the game in a Giants uniform.
A storied career, and a legendary icon, Mays was a fixture at the ballpark. Not only would you see him always smiling and giving advice to the younger players. His statue stands in front of the entrance to Oracle Park. Hundreds of flowers were left since his passing to honor his memory.
