On September 20, 1973 — After sharing the news on the Today Show, Willie Mays officially announces his retirement at a press conference held at Shea Stadium’s Diamond Club. In five days, the Mets will honor the aging superstar with pre-game ceremony night at the ballpark.

Willie, 42, but looking 10 years younger m his colorful sports outfit and sounding like a kid of 22 again, made his announcement and answered questions for almost an hour. His moods changed from nervousness to humor to mild anger to defiance to annoyance. But he managed to hide his deepest emotions until the very end.

“I thought I would be crying right now,” he said at one point. “But I see so many of my friends, I -can’t cry. Maybe I’ll cry tomorrow . . ..or the next day.”

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