Photo: Pete Souza/The White House via Getty
Barack Obamais celebrating “one of the greats.”
The former president, 60, marked baseball legendWillie Mays' 91st birthday Friday on Twitter, sharing a throwback video of the two of them deep in conversation on Air Force One during his first year in office.
“Happy birthday to one of the greats, Willie Mays! I’ll always remember this conversation we had while on Air Force One during the first year of my presidency,” Obamawrote. “I’ve always looked up to the Say Hey Kid, and I hope he’s having a great 91st birthday.”
In the video, Mays recalled hearing the news that Obama had been elected president. “We were just so proud. I just want to thank you,” he said.
“Let me tell you, you helped us get there. If it hadn’t been for folks like you andJackie [Robinson], I’m not sure that I would get elected to the White House,” Obama said, adding: “The spirit you put in the game, how you carried yourself, all that really makes a difference. It changed people’s attitudes. So, you played a part in it. And now, here we are on Air Force One. That’s alright.”
Maysis the oldest living Hall of Famer, joining the New York Giants in 1951 andearning Rookie of the Year honorsthat year. He played 21 seasons with the Giants before joining the New York Mets in 1973.
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Amassing 3,283 hits, two NL MVP awards, 24 All-Star honors and 12 Gold Glove Awards, Mays was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Obama previouslycelebrated Mays' milestone 90th birthdaylast year, posting a photo of himself and Mays during their visit on Air Force One.
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“Happy 90th birthday to Willie Mays! If it wasn’t for folks like Willie and Jackie Robinson, I might never have made it to the White House,” he wrote at the time. “The spirit he played with and the way he carried himself changed the game and people’s attitudes. I’m glad he’s still going strong.”
source: people.com
