Scottsdale, Ariz. - To many young ballplayers who never saw him play, the name Willie Mays doesn't mean much.
"Oh yeah, most definitely," said Giants center fielder Darryl Hamilton. "Nowadays you get your younger ballplayers, first- and second-year guys thinking they can own the world on what they did in the minor leagues. It's hard for them to to relate to the great players."
Hamilton definitely can relate to Mays. The new Giants leadoff hitter idolized the Say Hey Kid and was thrilled to meet him this week. Sunday, manager Dusty Baker gathered the team before Day 9 of spring practice to introduce Mays, who will help teach outfield play and base running while he's down here. What drew Hamilton to Mays?
"Obviously, his ability. And he's very humble. I've never heard him talk about himself, how great he was. That's hard to do. . . . Today's ballplayers are a little different."
Hamilton didn't go so far as saying he picked center field because of Mays but did say the Hall of Famer inspired him to try over-the-shoulder basket catches.
"I'm still practicing them," said Hamilton.