Mays, Willie (1931—)

One of the best baseball players ever, in the 1950s and 1960s Willie Mays dazzled baseball fans with his amazing hitting, base-stealing, and fielding. The first true all-around player, Mays considered the baseball diamond his "stage," and when he retired in 1973 he had earned himself a place in the hearts of the American people.

Born in Westfield, Alabama, in 1931, Mays broke into the professional ranks at age 16 with the Birmingham Black Barons of the National Negro League. On a $250 a month salary he played two years with the Barons before being signed by the New York Giants of Major League Baseball. After just one year in the minors Mays made his much anticipated debut with the Giants in 1951. In spite of a disappointing one for 25 start, Mays lived up to expectations by capturing Rookie-of-the-Year honors that season.

Nicknamed "Say Hey" because he often forgot the names of his teammates, the centerfielder quickly became a crowd favorite because of his spectacular play and his engaging personality. Since he was playing in the media capitol of the world, his on-the-field exploits became legend overnight. After serving two years in the Army, Mays's popularity reached new heights in 1954 upon his arrival back to baseball. That year baseball fans witnessed "the catch," an over the shoulder basket catch by Mays in the World Series against the Cleveland Indians. A photo of Mays catching the ball made headlines in virtually every major newspaper and sports publication in the country. En route to leading the Giants to the World Series Championship that year, Mays captured the Major League batting title and subsequently was named Most Valuable Player for the 1954 season. For his efforts the Giants rewarded him with a $30,000 contract, the highest in baseball. With his popularity increasing Mays was featured on the cover of Time and the Saturday Evening Post, and he also made appearances on the popular Ed Sullivan Show and the Colgate Comedy Hour. This media coverage brought Mays into the homes of millions of Americans.

Mays remained in the media spotlight throughout his career as he continued to excel. In 1955 he batted.319 with a major league leading 51 homers and 127 Runs Batted In (RBIs). Also, beginning in 1956 he would lead the league in stolen bases for four consecutive years. In 1958 the Giants shocked the baseball world by moving to San Francisco. In spite of the change of venue Mays continued to delight fans with his extraordinary talent. Beginning in the early 1960s he went on a home-run hitting barrage by averaging 45 home runs per season between 1961 and 1965. When he retired in 1973 his career numbers were astounding:.302 avg.; 660 Home Runs; and 1,903 RBIs. These unbelievable numbers enabled the 19-time all-star to become only the ninth player in history to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first try. In an era when many great players possessed only one strength, Mays's multi-dimensional ability earned him a place in the hearts of the American people and legendary status in the annals of America's favorite pastime.

—Leonard N. Moore

Further Reading:

Mays, Willie. Say Hey: The Autobiography of Willie Mays. New York, Simon and Schuster, 1988.