Last Updated: May 16th, 2024 by Michael Schatz
When it comes to baseball legends, few names shine as brightly as Willie Mays. Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays’ career was filled with amazing moments, highlights, and records.
Whether it’s his iconic over-the-shoulder catch in the World Series or his 600 home runs, each moment is a testament to Mays’ extraordinary talent and dedication. So, let’s step up to the plate and celebrate the legendary Willie Mays.
1951 NL Rookie of the Year
Willie Mays made his MLB debut in 1951 at just 20 years of age and wasted no time proving he belonged. He hit .274 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs. Those numbers were good enough to win him the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
1954 World Series Champion and NL MVP
After not playing baseball in 1953 because of military service, Willie Mays returned to the game in 1954 and staked his claim to the title of the game’s best player. He hit an MLB-leading .345 to go along with 41 home runs and 110 RBIs. He would be named the NL MVP for his efforts.
Mays and his Giants teammates would go on to sweep the Indians in the World Series, with Mays being a big reason why. He hit .286 with a .444 on-base percentage. The ’54 Series would be Mays’ only World Series victory.
“The Catch”
Willie Mays is responsible for one of the most iconic images in baseball history. Standing on the hallowed turf of the Polo Grounds in New York City, Willie Mays made an over-the-shoulder catch on Vic Wertz’s 450-foot shot to center field in Game One of the World Series. It would come to be known as ‘The Catch’.
To this day, “The Catch” remains a symbol of Mays’ raw talent and exceptional capability as one of the best to ever grace the baseball field, proving why he’s a legend in the game.
12 Consecutive Gold Glove Awards
The Say Hey Kid proved ‘The Catch’ wasn’t just a one-time thing by winning a Gold Glove every year from 1957 to 1968. His 12 Gold Gloves remain the all-time record for center fielders.
1962 Home Run to Force Playoff & World Series Appearance
During the final game of the regular season against the Houston Colt .45s, Mays hit a 3-run home run that tied the game, pushing the Giants into a playoff series against their arch-rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Mays performed when it mattered the most, leading the Giants to victory over the Dodgers with a .333 average. But despite his heroics, the Giants would lose the World Series in seven games to the Yankees.
Second NL MVP Award in 1965
Willie Mays continued to dominate the game by winning his second NL MVP Award in 1965. That year, he hit .317, blasted an MLB-best 52 home runs and added 112 RBIs.
Rarified Air: The 600 Home Run Club
On September 22, 1969, Willie Mays did what only one had done before him: He hit his 600th career home run. It came off San Diego’s Mike Corkins and made Mays just the second player, along with Babe Ruth, to have 600 home runs.
He would finish with 660 home runs, good enough for 6th all-time.
The Call to the Hall in ’79
It didn’t take Willie Mays long to be enshrined in Cooperstown. On his first ballot, Mays received 94.7% of the vote, a fitting end to an amazing career. His well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame is a poignant reminder of the indelible mark he left on baseball, continuing to inspire generations of athletes.
He finished his storied career with a .301 batting average, 3,293 hits, 660 home runs, 1,909 RBIs, two MVPs, a ROY, 12 Gold Gloves, 24 All-Star Games, and a World Series ring.
1999 Major League Baseball All-Century Team
In 1999, Major League Baseball named Willie Mays to its All-Century Team. Chosen by fans and a panel of experts, the baseball great was one of the top two vote-getters among outfielders, a testament to his unparalleled skills and enduring legacy.
2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2015, Willie Mays’ illustrious career took another leap forward when President Barack Obama bestowed him the Presidential Medal of Freedom: the highest civilian award in the United States. The President lauded Mays for his exceptional contributions to sports and society, acknowledging his influence that transcends baseball, echoing through civil rights activism and community service.