You have probably heard by now that the greatest star in the history of the movies died yesterday. This doesn't really have anything to do with baseball - except that in 1962, two sets of voters screwed over two of the most sublime performances in American history - Willie Mays leading the Giants to the pennant with 49 homers, 141 RBI, and Paul Newman's performance in The Hustler.

When you fail to recognize the Greatest of the Great... well, quite frankly, I think we're all doing both the BBWAA and the AMPAS a favour by still paying attention to them. But of course, the fact that Newman didn't win is what still keeps us interested decades later.

Anyways, Paul Newman was a superstar of the highest order for 50 years - and he justified that stardom by delivering great performances in terrific movies for that entire 50-year span. He was never in any scandals, he appears to have been a terrific person, he sold salad dressing, he starred in Slap Shot... and unfortunately, here in Canada at least, Slap Shot has developed a reputation as a campy classic; I'm not sure how many people realize just how great Newman's performance is in it.

And, there always this.

Paul Newman was a great, great actor, and the greatest cinematic star of them all. But Eddie was still a born loser.

VITAL STATS

Willie Mays, 1962:

Fast Eddie: "Boy, he is great! Jeez, that old fat man. Look at the way he moves: like a dancer... And those fingers, them chubby fingers. That stroke... it's like he's, uh, like he's playin' the violin or somethin'."

Willie Mays, 1962, Sept/Oct.

Fast Eddie: "I'm shooting pool, Fats. When I miss, you can shoot."

Willie Mays, 1962, Runners in Scoring Position:

Fast Eddie: "The pool game is not over until Minnesota Fats says it's over. Is it over, Fats?"

Willie Mays, 1962, Late & Close Games

Fast Eddie: "Fat man, you shoot a great game of pool."