Last Updated: May 24th, 2024 by Jake Cain
Stan Musial and Willie Mays are two baseball titans who not only left their mark through incredible stats but also through the lasting impact they had on fans and the sport itself. Let’s dive into the careers of “Stan the Man” and “The Say Hey Kid” to see how they stack up against each other in terms of statistics, impact on the game, and overall achievements.
Early Careers
Stan Musial: The Donora Greyhound
Stan Musial, born on November 21, 1920, in Donora, Pennsylvania, began his professional career as a pitcher before transitioning to an outfielder. Musial quickly became a staple for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent his entire career. From his debut in 1941, Musial showcased his impeccable hitting ability, batting .331 over his career with 3,630 hits, which were split evenly with 1,815 at home and 1,815 away.
Willie Mays: The Say Hey Kid
Willie Mays was born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, and was an athletic prodigy, excelling in multiple sports. Mays started his professional career with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League before signing with the New York Giants in 1950. Mays debuted in 1951, instantly making a name for himself with his all-around skill set. He ended his career with a .302 batting average, 3,283 hits, and 660 home runs.
Statistical Comparisons
Batting
Stan Musial:
- Batting Average: .331
- Hits: 3,630
- Home Runs: 475
- RBIs: 1,951
Willie Mays:
- Batting Average: .302
- Hits: 3,283
- Home Runs: 660
- RBIs: 1,903
| Year | Age | Tm | Lg | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | Pos | Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 17 | BBB | NAL | 13 | 48 | 43 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 4 | .233 | .313 | .326 | .638 | 71 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 7/9 | |||||||
| 1951 | 20 | NYG | NL | 121 | 524 | 464 | 59 | 127 | 22 | 5 | 20 | 68 | 7 | 4 | 57 | 60 | .274 | .356 | .472 | .828 | 120 | 219 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 7 | *8 | RoY-1 | ||
| 1952 | 21 | NYG | NL | 34 | 144 | 127 | 17 | 30 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 17 | .236 | .326 | .409 | .736 | 102 | 52 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | |||
| 1953 | Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1954 | 23 | NYG | NL | 151 | 641 | 565 | 119 | 195 | 33 | 13 | 41 | 110 | 8 | 5 | 66 | 57 | .345 | .411 | .667 | 1.078 | 175 | 377 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 14 | *8 | AS,MVP-1 | |
| 1955 | 24 | NYG | NL | 152 | 670 | 580 | 123 | 185 | 18 | 13 | 51 | 127 | 24 | 4 | 79 | 60 | .319 | .400 | .659 | 1.059 | 174 | 382 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 13 | *8 | AS,MVP-4 | |
| 1956 | 25 | NYG | NL | 152 | 651 | 578 | 101 | 171 | 27 | 8 | 36 | 84 | 40 | 10 | 68 | 65 | .296 | .369 | .557 | .926 | 146 | 322 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 20 | *8 | AS,MVP-17 | |
| 1957 | 26 | NYG | NL | 152 | 669 | 585 | 112 | 195 | 26 | 20 | 35 | 97 | 38 | 19 | 76 | 62 | .333 | .407 | .626 | 1.033 | 173 | 366 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 15 | *8/H | AS,MVP-4,GG | |
| 1958 | 27 | SFG | NL | 152 | 685 | 600 | 121 | 208 | 33 | 11 | 29 | 96 | 31 | 6 | 78 | 56 | .347 | .419 | .583 | 1.002 | 165 | 350 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 12 | *8/H | AS,MVP-2,GG | |
| 1959 | 28 | SFG | NL | 151 | 649 | 575 | 125 | 180 | 43 | 5 | 34 | 104 | 27 | 4 | 65 | 58 | .313 | .381 | .583 | .964 | 156 | 335 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 9 | *8/H | AS,AS,MVP-6,GG | |
| 1960 | 29 | SFG | NL | 153 | 669 | 595 | 107 | 190 | 29 | 12 | 29 | 103 | 25 | 10 | 61 | 70 | .319 | .381 | .555 | .936 | 160 | 330 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 11 | *8/H | AS,AS,MVP-3,GG | |
| 1961 | 30 | SFG | NL | 154 | 659 | 572 | 129 | 176 | 32 | 3 | 40 | 123 | 18 | 9 | 81 | 77 | .308 | .393 | .584 | .977 | 160 | 334 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 15 | *8/H | AS,AS,MVP-6,GG | |
| 1962 | 31 | SFG | NL | 162 | 706 | 621 | 130 | 189 | 36 | 5 | 49 | 141 | 18 | 2 | 78 | 85 | .304 | .384 | .615 | .999 | 165 | 382 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 11 | *8/H | AS,AS,MVP-2,GG | |
| 1963 | 32 | SFG | NL | 157 | 671 | 596 | 115 | 187 | 32 | 7 | 38 | 103 | 8 | 3 | 66 | 83 | .314 | .380 | .582 | .962 | 175 | 347 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5 | *8/H6 | AS,MVP-5,GG | |
| 1964 | 33 | SFG | NL | 157 | 665 | 578 | 121 | 171 | 21 | 9 | 47 | 111 | 19 | 5 | 82 | 72 | .296 | .383 | .607 | .990 | 172 | 351 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 13 | *8/H356 | AS,MVP-6,GG | |
| 1965 | 34 | SFG | NL | 157 | 638 | 558 | 118 | 177 | 21 | 3 | 52 | 112 | 9 | 4 | 76 | 71 | .317 | .398 | .645 | 1.043 | 185 | 360 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 16 | *8/H97 | AS,MVP-1,GG | |
| 1966 | 35 | SFG | NL | 152 | 629 | 552 | 99 | 159 | 29 | 4 | 37 | 103 | 5 | 1 | 70 | 81 | .288 | .368 | .556 | .924 | 149 | 307 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 11 | *8/9H7 | AS,MVP-3,GG | |
| 1967 | 36 | SFG | NL | 141 | 544 | 486 | 83 | 128 | 22 | 2 | 22 | 70 | 6 | 0 | 51 | 92 | .263 | .334 | .453 | .787 | 124 | 220 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | *8H | AS,GG | |
| 1968 | 37 | SFG | NL | 148 | 573 | 498 | 84 | 144 | 20 | 5 | 23 | 79 | 12 | 6 | 67 | 81 | .289 | .372 | .488 | .860 | 156 | 243 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 | *8/H39 | AS,MVP-13,GG | |
| 1969 | 38 | SFG | NL | 117 | 459 | 403 | 64 | 114 | 17 | 3 | 13 | 58 | 6 | 2 | 49 | 71 | .283 | .362 | .437 | .798 | 124 | 176 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 8H/93 | AS | |
| 1970 | 39 | SFG | NL | 139 | 566 | 478 | 94 | 139 | 15 | 2 | 28 | 83 | 5 | 0 | 79 | 90 | .291 | .390 | .506 | .897 | 140 | 242 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | *8H/3 | AS | |
| 1971 | 40 | SFG | NL | 136 | 537 | 417 | 82 | 113 | 24 | 5 | 18 | 61 | 23 | 3 | 112 | 123 | .271 | .425 | .482 | .907 | 158 | 201 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 83H | AS,MVP-19 | |
| 1972 | 41 | TOT | NL | 88 | 309 | 244 | 35 | 61 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 22 | 4 | 5 | 60 | 48 | .250 | .400 | .402 | .802 | 131 | 98 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 8H3 | AS | |
| 1972 | 41 | SFG | NL | 19 | 67 | 49 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 5 | .184 | .394 | .224 | .618 | 79 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8/H | ||
| 1972 | 41 | NYM | NL | 69 | 242 | 195 | 27 | 52 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 19 | 1 | 5 | 43 | 43 | .267 | .402 | .446 | .848 | 145 | 87 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8H3 | ||
| 1973 | 42 | NYM | NL | 66 | 239 | 209 | 24 | 44 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 47 | .211 | .303 | .344 | .647 | 81 | 72 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 83/H | AS | |
| 23 Yrs | 3005 | 12545 | 10924 | 2068 | 3293 | 525 | 141 | 660 | 1909 | 339 | 103 | 1468 | 1526 | .301 | .384 | .557 | .940 | 155 | 6080 | 251 | 45 | 13 | 91 | 214 | ||||||
| 162 Game Avg. | 162 | 676 | 589 | 111 | 178 | 28 | 8 | 36 | 103 | 18 | 79 | .301 | .384 | .557 | .940 | 155 | 328 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
| G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | Pos | Awards | |||||
| SFG (21 yrs) | 2857 | 12016 | 10477 | 2011 | 3187 | 504 | 139 | 646 | 1859 | 336 | 98 | 1394 | 1436 | .304 | .385 | .564 | .949 | 157 | 5907 | 239 | 42 | 9 | 90 | 209 | ||||||
| NYM (2 yrs) | 135 | 481 | 404 | 51 | 96 | 19 | 1 | 14 | 44 | 2 | 5 | 70 | 90 | .238 | .352 | .394 | .746 | 112 | 159 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | ||||||
| BBB (1 yr) | 13 | 48 | 43 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 4 | .233 | .313 | .326 | .638 | 71 | 14 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| NL (22 yrs) | 2992 | 12497 | 10881 | 2062 | 3283 | 523 | 140 | 660 | 1903 | 338 | 103 | 1464 | 1526 | .302 | .384 | .557 | .941 | 156 | 6066 | 251 | 44 | 13 | 91 | 214 | ||||||
| NAL (1 yr) | 13 | 48 | 43 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 4 | .233 | .313 | .326 | .638 | 71 | 14 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
Musial’s batting average of .331 ranks among the best in baseball history, demonstrating his consistency and ability to get on base. Mays, while having a lower average, was the better power hitter of the two, evidenced by his 660 home runs.
Fielding
Stan Musial:
- Positions: Outfielder/First Baseman
- Gold Gloves: 0 (Gold Gloves were introduced in 1957 when Musial was already in his late 30s)
Willie Mays:
- Position: Center Fielder
- Gold Gloves: 12 (1957–1968)
Mays is widely considered one of the best fielders of all time, winning a record 12 consecutive Gold Glove awards. Musial was also an excellent fielder but did not have the same level of defensive accolades, partly due to the timing of the Gold Glove award’s introduction.
Base Running
Stan Musial:
- Stolen Bases: 78
| Year | Age | Tm | Lg | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | Pos | Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | 20 | STL | NL | 12 | 49 | 47 | 8 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .426 | .449 | .574 | 1.023 | 179 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | /97H | |||
| 1942 | 21 | STL | NL | 140 | 536 | 467 | 87 | 147 | 32 | 10 | 10 | 72 | 6 | 6 | 62 | 25 | .315 | .397 | .490 | .888 | 151 | 229 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | *7H/89 | MVP-12 | ||
| 1943 | 22 | STL | NL | 157 | 701 | 617 | 108 | 220 | 48 | 20 | 13 | 81 | 9 | 6 | 72 | 18 | .357 | .425 | .562 | .988 | 177 | 347 | 17 | 2 | 10 | 14 | *978/H | AS,MVP-1 | ||
| 1944 | 23 | STL | NL | 146 | 668 | 568 | 112 | 197 | 51 | 14 | 12 | 94 | 7 | 7 | 90 | 28 | .347 | .440 | .549 | .990 | 174 | 312 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 9 | *98 | AS,MVP-4 | ||
| 1945 | Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1946 | 25 | STL | NL | 156 | 702 | 624 | 124 | 228 | 50 | 20 | 16 | 103 | 7 | 9 | 73 | 31 | .365 | .434 | .587 | 1.021 | 183 | 366 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 9 | *37 | AS,MVP-1 | ||
| 1947 | 26 | STL | NL | 149 | 678 | 587 | 113 | 183 | 30 | 13 | 19 | 95 | 4 | 4 | 80 | 24 | .312 | .398 | .504 | .902 | 134 | 296 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 3 | *3 | AS,MVP-20 | ||
| 1948 | 27 | STL | NL | 155 | 698 | 611 | 135 | 230 | 46 | 18 | 39 | 131 | 7 | 3 | 79 | 34 | .376 | .450 | .702 | 1.152 | 200 | 429 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 6 | *987/3 | AS,MVP-1 | ||
| 1949 | 28 | STL | NL | 157 | 722 | 612 | 128 | 207 | 41 | 13 | 36 | 123 | 3 | 4 | 107 | 38 | .338 | .438 | .624 | 1.062 | 177 | 382 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 15 | *98/73 | AS,MVP-2 | ||
| 1950 | 29 | STL | NL | 146 | 645 | 555 | 105 | 192 | 41 | 7 | 28 | 109 | 5 | 1 | 87 | 36 | .346 | .437 | .596 | 1.034 | 165 | 331 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 3789/H | AS,MVP-2 | ||
| 1951 | 30 | STL | NL | 152 | 678 | 578 | 124 | 205 | 30 | 12 | 32 | 108 | 4 | 5 | 98 | 40 | .355 | .449 | .614 | 1.063 | 183 | 355 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 738/H9 | AS,MVP-2 | ||
| 1952 | 31 | STL | NL | 154 | 678 | 578 | 105 | 194 | 42 | 6 | 21 | 91 | 7 | 7 | 96 | 29 | .336 | .432 | .538 | .970 | 167 | 311 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 27 | *837/91 | AS,MVP-5 | ||
| 1953 | 32 | STL | NL | 157 | 698 | 593 | 127 | 200 | 53 | 9 | 30 | 113 | 3 | 4 | 105 | 32 | .337 | .437 | .609 | 1.046 | 169 | 361 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 12 | *79/8 | AS,MVP-8 | ||
| 1954 | 33 | STL | NL | 153 | 705 | 591 | 120 | 195 | 41 | 9 | 35 | 126 | 1 | 7 | 103 | 39 | .330 | .428 | .607 | 1.036 | 167 | 359 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 27 | *937 | AS,MVP-6 | |
| 1955 | 34 | STL | NL | 154 | 656 | 562 | 97 | 179 | 30 | 5 | 33 | 108 | 5 | 4 | 80 | 39 | .319 | .408 | .566 | .974 | 157 | 318 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 19 | *39/7 | AS,MVP-8 | |
| 1956 | 35 | STL | NL | 156 | 682 | 594 | 87 | 184 | 33 | 6 | 27 | 109 | 2 | 0 | 75 | 39 | .310 | .386 | .522 | .908 | 143 | 310 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 15 | *39/7 | AS,MVP-9 | |
| 1957 | 36 | STL | NL | 134 | 579 | 502 | 82 | 176 | 38 | 3 | 29 | 102 | 1 | 1 | 66 | 34 | .351 | .422 | .612 | 1.034 | 172 | 307 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 19 | *3/H | AS,MVP-2 | |
| 1958 | 37 | STL | NL | 135 | 549 | 472 | 64 | 159 | 35 | 2 | 17 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 26 | .337 | .423 | .528 | .950 | 145 | 249 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 26 | *3H | AS,MVP-12 | |
| 1959 | 38 | STL | NL | 115 | 404 | 341 | 37 | 87 | 13 | 2 | 14 | 44 | 0 | 2 | 60 | 25 | .255 | .364 | .428 | .792 | 106 | 146 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 3H/7 | AS,AS | |
| 1960 | 39 | STL | NL | 116 | 378 | 331 | 49 | 91 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 63 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 34 | .275 | .354 | .486 | .841 | 121 | 161 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 7H3/9 | AS,AS,MVP-16 | |
| 1961 | 40 | STL | NL | 123 | 431 | 372 | 46 | 107 | 22 | 4 | 15 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 35 | .288 | .371 | .489 | .860 | 119 | 182 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 17 | *7H | AS,AS | |
| 1962 | 41 | STL | NL | 135 | 505 | 433 | 57 | 143 | 18 | 1 | 19 | 82 | 3 | 0 | 64 | 46 | .330 | .416 | .508 | .924 | 137 | 220 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 4 | *79H | AS,AS,MVP-10 | |
| 1963 | 42 | STL | NL | 124 | 379 | 337 | 34 | 86 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 58 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 43 | .255 | .325 | .404 | .728 | 101 | 136 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 7H | AS | |
| 22 Yrs | 3026 | 12721 | 10972 | 1949 | 3630 | 725 | 177 | 475 | 1951 | 78 | 71 | 1599 | 696 | .331 | .417 | .559 | .976 | 159 | 6134 | 243 | 53 | 35 | 53 | 298 | ||||||
| 162 Game Avg. | 162 | 681 | 587 | 104 | 194 | 39 | 9 | 25 | 104 | 4 | 4 | 86 | 37 | .331 | .417 | .559 | .976 | 159 | 328 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 16 | |||||||
| G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ | TB | GDP | HBP | SH | SF | IBB | Pos | Awards | |||||
Willie Mays:
- Stolen Bases: 338
- Base Running Skill: Known for aggressive and smart base running
Mays’s speed and base-running intelligence gave him an edge on the base paths, swiping 338 bases throughout his career. Musial, on the other hand, was not as known for his base running capabilities.
Awards and Accolades
Stan Musial
- 24× All-Star: (1943, 1944, 1946–1963)
- 3× World Series Champion: (1942, 1944, 1946)
- 3× NL MVP: (1943, 1946, 1948)
- NL Batting Champion (7×): (1943, 1946, 1948, 1950-1952, 1957)
- NL RBI Leader (2×): (1948, 1956)
- Hall of Fame Induction: 1969, 93.2% of the vote
Willie Mays
- 24× All-Star: (1954–1973)
- World Series Champion: (1954)
- 2× NL MVP: (1954, 1965)
- NL Rookie of the Year: (1951)
- 12× Gold Glove Award: (1957–1968)
- NL Batting Champion: (1954)
- 4× NL Home Run Leader: (1955, 1962, 1964, 1965)
- 4× NL Stolen Base Leader: (1956-1959)
- Roberto Clemente Award: (1971)
- Hall of Fame Induction: 1979, 94.7% of the vote
Impact on the Game
Stan Musial
Musial’s consistency and gentlemanly demeanor made him a beloved figure in baseball. He was known for his sportsmanship and humility, setting an example both on and off the field. Musial was also instrumental in the Cardinals’ front office, helping the team win another World Series in 1967 as a general manager.
Willie Mays
Mays’s flair and charisma brought a dynamic energy to baseball that captivated fans. His iconic over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series remains one of the most memorable moments in sports history. Beyond his on-field exploits, Mays was also a trailblazer, being one of the first African-American players to break into the major leagues, thereby paving the way for future generations.
Legacy
Stan Musial
Stan Musial is remembered as one of baseball’s greatest hitters. His career statistics and numerous records speak volumes, but perhaps more telling is the respect he earned from peers and fans alike. The Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to him in 2011 further cemented his legacy as a true American hero.
Willie Mays
Willie Mays’ legacy is epitomized by his nickname, “The Say Hey Kid,” reflecting his youthful exuberance and love for the game. Mays’ all-around skill set makes him arguably the greatest all-around player in baseball history. His influence extends beyond his statistical achievements, as he inspired countless young athletes, both black and white.
Conclusion
Both Stan Musial and Willie Mays left indelible marks on the game of baseball, each in their unique way. While Musial’s consistency and elegance at the plate made him a legend in St. Louis, Mays’ dynamic play and charismatic presence made him a beloved figure nationwide. Comparing their careers, it’s clear that baseball was fortunate to have both of these giants in its history, each contributing to the game in ways that will be remembered for generations to come.