(Originally published by the Daily News on October 15, 1973. This story was written by Phil Pepe.)
Oakland, Oct. 14 - On the longest day, I was the oldest player who got the game-winning hit in the wildest World Series game in years.
Willie Mays, saying goodbye to America, delayed his departure long enough to bounce a single up the middle in the 12th inning of the longest World Series game in history and what can you say about a 42-year old legend who is retiring after this year?
What you can say is that he looked every bit of his 42 years and had people feeling sorry for him as he floundered around under two fly balls in the sun.