And so it was over the weekend what with 40 -- year old Warren Spahn pitching his no-hit masterpiece against the Giants and the Giants' Willie Mays retaliating with a record tying 4 -- homer spree Sunday.

Both, of course, were remarkable feats and further embossed the fact that baseball rightfully is the national pastime.

Of the two cherished achievements the elderly Spahn's hitless pitching probably reached the most hearts.

It was a real stimulant to a lot of guys I know who have moved past the 2 -- score year milestone. And one of the Milwaukee rookies sighed and remarked, ``Wish I was 40, and a top grade big leaguer.

THE MODEST AND HAPPY Spahn waved off his new laurels as one of those good days. But there surely can be no doubt about the slender southpaw belonging with the all time great lefthanders in the game's history.

Yes, with Bob Grove, Carl Hubbell, Herb Pennock, Art Nehf, Vernon Gomez, et al.

Spahn not only is a superior pitcher but a gentlemanly fine fellow, a ball player's ball player, as they say in the trade.

I remember his beardown performance in a meaningless exhibition game at Bears Stadium Oct. 14, 1951, before a new record crowd for the period of 18792.

``Spahnie doesn't know how to merely go through the motions,'' remarked Enos Slaughter, another all-out guy, who played rightfield that day and popped one over the clubhouse.

The spectacular Mays, who reaches a decade in the big leagues come May 25, joined six other sluggers who walloped four home runs in a span of nine innings.