enlarge 2000 Press Herald file

Carlton Willey threw out the first pitch before a Portland Sea Dogs game in 2000, but stayed out of the spotlight for the most part after retiring from the major leagues and returning to his hometown of Cherryfield.

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Carlton Willey of Cherryfield pitched eight seasons in the major leagues, including three with the New York Mets from 1963-65.

Far from Maine, the question startled Andy Santerre when it was first asked at an autograph signing for NASCAR drivers. A fan noted Santerre's hometown of Cherryfield.

"Do you know Carlton Willey?"

"Sure do," said Santerre, the 1998 Busch Grand National rookie of the year. "Everyone in Cherryfield does."

Everyone knew the Willey house, with its porch hand railings made from baseball bats. Everyone in town knew of the local boy who went away to Milwaukee to pitch with Warren Spahn and Lew Burdette on a Braves team that included Hall of Fame hitters Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews.

Today, most in Cherryfield and the nearby towns Down East are mourning Willey's passing. He died Monday at age 78.

Willey had an eight-year major league career. As a rookie in 1958, he pitched in the World Series against the New York Yankees. When his career ended, he scouted for the Philadelphia Phillies, but eventually returned to Cherryfield and went to work in one of the town's blueberry canneries. In the words of the age-old compliment, Willey's hat size always stayed the same. He loved to tell stories, but he rarely boasted.

Which may be why younger baseball fans outside Cherryfield didn't know his name and older fans forgot. Willey wasn't reclusive by any means, but he saw no need to travel the state and stay in the public eye. The center of his universe was Cherryfield. He made frequent visits to Ellsworth but not much farther.

"He didn't need that. He was happy. He had a big smile and a really dry, quiet wit," said Santerre, who owns a race team based in Harrisburg, N.C. "He was one of my heroes."

Shortly after Santerre was named rookie of the year, Cherryfield called him home to give him the ceremonial key to the town. Someone remembered that Willey was never given the key to Cherryfield. That was rectified the same day.

"I think Carlton and I are the only two with keys to the town. That makes it pretty special."

Fifteen years ago, Santerre met Sue Harris, an Ohio girl who became his wife. Harris remembers a lunch she had with her grandfather in Ohio.

"I remember to this day Grandpa saying, 'tell me about this boy you met.' When I mentioned he was from Cherryfield, Maine, Grandpa sat up, put his fist on the table and said 'Carlton Willey.' "

Sue Santerre had no idea who her grandfather was talking about. Later, she and Andy tried to arrange a meeting between the baseball fan and the former major league pitcher. Walt Newcomb died before it could happen.

The next time Andy and Sue Santerre visited Cherryfield, Willey showed up on their doorstep, autographed baseball in his hand. He had heard about the man who wanted to meet him and now wanted Sue to have the baseball.

"What a nice, polite, well-spoken man," said Sue Santerre. "To this day, that baseball is in Andy's trophy case with all his championship trophies and rings."

Willey was sold to the New York Mets in 1963, a year after they joined the National League. He became the ace of their staff, with a 9-14 record. Unfortunately, the Mets didn't purchase any of the Braves' hitters to join Willey.

A year later, during spring training, a line drive back to the mound broke Willey's jaw. He tried twice to come back and failed.

He was the first New York Mets pitcher to hit a grand slam. In 1963, he became part of baseball history when Jesus, Matty and Felipe Alou were the first three brothers to bat consecutively and be retired in the same inning. Willey got them all out.

In 2000, Willey's appearance in the 1958 World Series – he struck out two of the three batters he faced – was judged to be one of Maine's top 20 sports moments in the 20th century. He joined others at Hadlock Field that summer to throw out the first pitch before a Portland Sea Dogs game.

He heard cheers and applause that brought back his own memories. "It was great, yes sir," said Willey...