500-home run hitters Mays, Banks put on historic power show in 1970
This story was originally published on June 18, 1970.
SAN FRANCISCO >> “Look at that man. Isn’t he something? Just imagine, all he needs is 99 more home runs and he catches the great Babe Ruth!!”
Tiny Tim talking? Nope. This was Ernie Banks, venerable Chicago Cubs star on stage yesterday in the locker room after he had helped his team to a 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. And all he would talk about was Willie Mays.
Mays hit his 15th homer of the year and 615th of his career for San Francisco’s only run off lefty Ken Holtzman, who throttled the Giants on seven hits to run his season record to 8-3.
Banks played a big part in the Chicago victory, driving in three runs with his seventh homer of 1970 and 504th of his career.
It marked the first time in baseball history that two sluggers with more than 500 career home runs homered in the same game.
“Willie and I are pretty lucky guys,” said Banks. “We came up to the majors at a good time — in the 1950s. These are pretty good times, too, the ‘70s and the kids breaking in now are lucky, too.
“Who’d of thought when Willie broke in that one day he would be threatening Ruth’s record. I don’t know
about what some of the experts think but I honestly believe has a good shot at the record. If anything, he’s getting younger, not older.”
Both Mays and Banks are 39, but neither seems anywhere through as an active players. This, in fact, is Mays’ best start in the last five years.
Banks has gotten away a little slower, mostly because of a knee injury, but now he’s humming the ball again. His homer Wednesday was his fourth in the last four games he has started.
I’m feeling pretty good,” said Banks, “and from what I can see Willie is feeling pretty good, too. Isn’t this a great life, playing in the major leagues? We both have a lot to be thankful for.”
Banks said playing day ball is responsible in large part for his and Mays’ longevity.
“Don’t fool yourself,” he said with emphasis, “it makes a difference. Of course, with the Cubs we play all day games at home and next to us no other club except the Giants plays as many day games.
Holtzman struck out 10 Giants en route to his fifth straight victory. He went to 3-2 on Mays in the eighth and then tried to get a changeup past Willie. Mays hit it far over the left field screen.
“It really doesn’t make any difference what I throw Willie anymore,” said Holtzman. “He’s hit every kind of pitch you can imagine for homers off me. I’m glad when I hold him to one.”
In an earlier at bat against Holtzman, Mays ripped a single, so he is only 20 hits short of the 3,000 mark.
Young left-hander Lee Pitlock started for the second time for the Giants and left after 5 1/3 innings with his second loss. He held the Cubs hitless until Phil Gagliano singled with two out in the fifth.
Lee got out of that frame without incident, but after one out in the sixth, Paul Popovich, a switch hitter not known for his power, lifted a home run over the left field fence.
The homer unnerved Pitlock, who then walked Johnny Callison and followed by serving up a single to Billy Williams and a tworun double to Jim Hickman.
As things turned out, that was all the hitting help Holtzman needed. But Banks gave him a big insurance edge by homering in the eighth off Mike Davison after a walk to Hickman and a single by Ron Santo.
Banks is sure Mays can keep on going but how about himself?
“Who knows,” he said with a smile. “I feel good and that’s all that matters. Every day I’m in the major leagues is a big day for me.”