SF Gate: Willie Mays, the interview

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Q: You had great numbers, but you weren’t a number guy. Here’s an example of that: You hit a ball in the gap, most people go for a double. In a key situation, with Willie McCovey on deck, you’ll stay at first base so they don’t take the bat out of Willie’s hands. True story?

A: I did that a lot; I did that a lot. ... I wanted Mac to hit all the time. So if I hit a ball in the gap that might be a triple or double or something, but I wouldn’t go, I’d let him hit. In San Diego one day, Clyde King says, ““Why don’t you go to second?” Well I said, “I want Mac to hit.” So the next time Mac comes up, he hits the scoreboard in San Diego, that’s way out there. He knocks in three runs.

Q: What about the steroids? What do we make of this era?

A: I’ve never seen (Barry Bonds) do anything. And I’ve said this many times: I don’t know. That’s why I don’t like to get involved because I might say something wrong.

So what you’re saying, I think, is that when his time comes to go into the Hall of Fame, will he get in? I say yes.