Yesterday, Neil Best of Newsday educated us on the first every sports talk call, which was taken by the legendary Bill Mazer.

The first-time caller, first-time listener would be a man in his 60s now, presumably still a fan with a phone. Perhaps he even weighed in this week on Jose Reyes‘ contract or Derek Jeter‘s calf.

But on March 30, 1964, he picked up a telephone receiver with no precedent and no expectations, only a question elegant in its simplicity and obviousness.

“The first call was a kid, and he said, ‘I just want to ask you one question,’ ” Bill Mazer recalled nearly a half-century later. “I said, ‘OK, go ahead.’ He said, ‘Who’s better: Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle?’ “

The show was 660 on the dial (just like WFAN). Mazer said that Mantle, while appearing on his show at Mickey Mantle‘s Restaurant many years later, agreed that Mays was the better player, except for 1956 when he won the Triple Crown.

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Did you hear the whining during yesterday’s YES telecast? Michael Kay, Paul O’Neill, and Ken Singleton were affronted that Doug Davis and the Cubs had the audacity to shut down the Yankees. Kay specifically complained about Davis slow pace, which prompted O’Neill to reminish how annoying Steve Trachsel, a former Cub, was with his pace on the mound. Kay went on to read Davis career stats with disgust. One reader tweeted me the fact there was no Designated Hitter was also a point of contention. Kay felt it’s “unfair” for American League teams to play a bat short, and the Yankees lose one of their hottest hitters in Jorge Posada. Want to know what poetic justice would be? A Cubs sweep.

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If you are planning on going to the ballpark on Monday there are a couple of events that might interest you. First, Ed Randall continues his 2011 Bat for the Cure minor league tour when he visits Bethpage Park and the Long Island Ducks. That same night, in Brooklyn, it’s Angel Pagan Bobblehead Night. He spent half the season with the Cyclones in 2001, and hit .315 with 30 stolen bases in 62 games.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Angel Pagan, Bat For the Cure, Bill Mazer, Brooklyn Cyclones, Chicago Cubs, Doug Davis, Ed Randall, Ken Singleton, Long Island Ducks, Mickey Mantle, Neil Best, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Newsday, Paul O'Neill, San Francisco Giants, Steve Trachsel, WFAN, Willie Mays