Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
The baseball world mourned Willie Mays’ passing in 2024. The Say Hey Kid left behind a legacy of amazing highlights that will continue to stand the test of time. Here are ten times that he left fans’ mouths agape or had them cheering loudly for him.
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The Catch That Flabbergasted 54,000 Fans at the Polo Grounds
September 29, 1954: Vic Wertz’s 425-foot blast should have cleared the bases and allowed the powerful Cleveland Indians to break a 2-2 tie. Instead, Willie Mays turned his back to home plate, sprinted toward the warning track, and made a breathtaking over-the-shoulder catch. The home crowd roared its approval while Mays then spun and threw the ball back into the infield. A-Mays-ing, indeed. Without that catch, chances are good that the Giants lose Game 1. If he played in the 1990s, this would have been on SportsCenter 24/7.
Willie’s Basket Catch Becomes Baseball’s Signature Style
Most outfielders during this time caught the ball around their head level with the glove pointing out toward the infield. Mays developed his signature basket catch, with his glove positioned at waist level, as if collecting groceries. Coaches everywhere told kids not to try this at home, but every sandlot hero spent summer afternoons perfecting Willie’s casual-looking technique. The basket catch became as synonymous with Mays as his number 24.
When Mays Stole Second, Third, and Home in One Inning
On August 15, 1957, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mays reached first base. He then caused havoc by proceeding to steal his way around the diamond. Second base, third base, then home plate—each stolen base building momentum until Forbes Field erupted in appreciation for his daring.
The Hat-Flying Sprint That Became Willie’s Trademark
During the course of his career, fans got used to the familiar sight of Mays running out from under his hat. Part of it was showmanship, but the other was his sheer exuberance on the basepaths. Soon, kids were trying to emulate that in their sandlot games.
Four Home Runs in Milwaukee That Had Fans Checking Their Scorecards
April 30, 1961, at County Stadium: Mays launched four home runs in a single game, joining an exclusive club that included Lou Gehrig and a handful of other legends. It started with him hitting a blast off of Milwaukee pitcher Lew Burdette. He hit all four with such authority that outfielder Hank Aaron, a fellow slugger, would just stand and watch them go over his head.
3,000+ Hits
The Giants legend came to the plate on July 18, 1970 and promptly singled. The game stopped, Mays swapped his helmet for a cap out of his back pocket and took part in a ceremony that included fellow legend Stan Musial. Had he not missed nearly two full seasons due to military service, this would have happened much earlier.
The Leaping Catch That Nearly Took Him AND Bobby Bonds Out
Mays was impressive defensively throughout his career. This particular catch was amazing, given that he was 39 years old, which was ancient for players at the time. Bobby Tolan hit a ball to deep center. Bobby Bonds thought he had it, but Mays came streaking over, jumped, and caught it as the two collided. The Say Hey Kid was knocked unconscious but held onto the ball—Bonds held his glove up to show the umpire Mays had made the catch.
Willie’s Go-Ahead Homer in His Return to New York
May 14, 1972: In his first game wearing a Mets uniform at Shea Stadium, the 41-year-old Mays launched a fifth-inning home run that sent 35,000 fans into a frenzy of nostalgia and joy. The Say Hey Kid was back in New York, and even though the uniform was different, his first hit as a Met proved the magic remained.
Homer No. 600
When Mays launched homer No. 600 deep into the stands on Sept. 22, 1969, it moved him into rarified air. His teammates, recognizing the moment, mobbed him at home plate after he ran the bases. They continued congratulating him as he made his way back to the dugout. At the time, only he and some guy named Babe Ruth were in the 600-homer club. Hank Aaron would later join them, eventually passing Ruth, before Mays’ own godson, Barry Bonds, became the all-time leader.
The Final Regular Season At-Bat That Brought Shea Stadium to Its Feet
September 9, 1973: Willie Mays stepped into the batter’s box for his final regular-season at-bat, and 43,677 fans rose as one to honor the Say Hey Kid on “Willie Mays Night.” The at-bat itself became secondary to the moment—a standing ovation that lasted several minutes while flashbulbs popped. Though he would appear in the World Series weeks later, baseball was saying a poignant regular-season goodbye to its most joyful ambassador, and everyone in attendance knew they were witnessing the end of an era.