Spotlight Player

Willie Howard Mays, Jr.
(born May 6, 1931 in Westfield, Alabama)

Willie Mays, “The Say Hey Kid”, was the most dynamic baseball player of his era and arguably of all-time. In his day no one could hit, hit with power, run, throw, and field better. He was a true superstar of iconic stature.

In his first year in the Majors, with the New York Giants, the young centerfielder won the 1951 Rookie of the Year. That year the Giants played the New York Yankees in the World Series. Unfortunately for Mays, the Yankees prevailed in 6 games 4-2. However it wouldn’t be Willie’s last taste of a World Series. Notably it was also Mickey Mantle’s rookie season with the Yankees.

Shortly after Mays’s big splash into the big leagues his career was interrupted. In 1952 the Army drafted him into the Korean War. He didn’t serve overseas but did miss 266 games as it would turn out.

In 1954 his career resumed and the Giants returned to the World Series. This time the New York Giants made the most of their trip as they played the Cleveland Indians. The Giants prevailed in a 4-0 sweep over the Bob Feller‘s Indians. In Game 1 of the Series, Willie made an on the run over-the-shoulder catch like a wide receiver. He than whirled around throwing the ball while losing his cap and keeping the man from reaching home plate for the go ahead run. “The Catch” as it’s known, essentially saved Game 1. It’s considered one of the greatest catches in baseball history and cemented Mays’s legend in the game.

The Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958 and Willie would remain in the Bay Area for many years. He continued to put up tremendous numbers however the Giants continually fell short of the post season. They did manage a breakthrough in 1962 facing the mighty New York Yankees in the World Series. The Series was competitive but again the Yankees prevailed this time in 7 games.

Willie was one of the most loved players of his time and you could say after. His numbers dwindled badly at the end of his career when he was traded to the New York Mets. The Mets weren’t a top team but somehow found themselves in the 1973 World Series against the return Champion Oakland A’s. The relatively no-name Mets gave the A’s a surprisingly tough time before the A’s finally won in 7 games. As usual Willie arose to the occasion by getting the first hit of the Series. He retired after the World Series.

May’s baseball achievements are remarkable. He was a 2-time League MVP, a 24-time All-Star (2-time MVP), a 12-time Gold Glove winner, and a Roberto Clemente Award winner. For his career he had a .302 batting average, 3,283 hits, 338 steals, and 660 home runs. He could it all.

Willie Mays truly was one of the greatest all-around baseball players of all-time. What a career!!!!