greatest center fielder of all time. was watching the Yankee game last night when it was broadcasted, and Costas story was true. this coming from a Cardinal fan that knew the story. "One of my favorites comes from McCarver, who played against the Giants in so much of Willie’s prime in the 1960s. McCarver said that Johnny Keane, who managed the Cardinals to the 1964 World Series championship, had a rule for Cards outfielders: If Mays was on the bases and trying to score on a hit, they were not supposed to throw home, unless he was trying to score the winning run.

“Johnny’s theory was that it was what Willie wanted you to do,” McCarver said with a smile. “He wanted you to think you had a play, he’d make you think it was going to be close, you’d never throw him out, and the guy who hit the ball would always get an extra base.”

McCarver paused.

“I asked Willie one time if he actually did that,” McCarver said. “He smiled at me and said, ‘Well yes, Tim, I did.’”
R.I.P. Willie, so lucky to see you play in the 50s and throughout the 60s.