Two Kids, One Legacy: Griffey Jr. vs. Willie Mays

June 17, 2026August 9, 2024 by Jake Cain

Last Updated: June 17, 2026

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Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Jake Cain

When we talk about the greatest centerfielders to ever play the game, two names instantly mentioned are Willie Mays and Ken Griffey Jr. Both players have left indelible marks on the game through their spectacular play, memorable moments, and significant achievements. Let’s dive into their illustrious careers and see how they compare in various aspects from statistics to awards.

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Willie Mays vs Ken Griffey Jr — via Stathead

Early Career and Rise to Stardom

Willie Mays

Willie Mays, known as “The Say Hey Kid,” began his professional career in the Negro leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons before being signed by the New York Giants. Mays quickly made a name for himself, winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 1951. His career with the Giants, both in New York and San Francisco, was marked by incredible athleticism, both at the plate and in center field.

Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr., often called “Junior” or “The Kid,” started his journey with the Seattle Mariners after being the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB draft. Griffey’s debut in 1989 was nothing short of spectacular, and he soon became one of the faces of Major League Baseball. Like Mays, Griffey showcased remarkable skills both offensively and defensively, winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 1989.

Offensive Prowess

Willie Mays

Over his 23-year career, Mays put up formidable numbers. He hit a total of 660 home runs, had 3,293 hits, and drove in 1,909 runs, all while maintaining a .301 batting average. His power and consistency at the plate were complemented by his speed, leading the NL in stolen bases four times.

Ken Griffey Jr.

Griffey’s career, spanning 22 seasons, saw him hit 630 home runs, accumulate 2,781 hits, and drive in 1,836 runs with a .284 batting average. Griffey’s sweet swing, particularly during his peak years in Seattle, made him one of the most feared hitters of his era. He led the AL in home runs four times and was a seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Defensive Dominance

Willie Mays

Mays is often cited as one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball history. He won 12 Gold Glove Awards consecutively from 1957 to 1968. His incredible range, powerful throwing arm, and knack for making flashy yet effective plays set a standard for outfield defense.

Ken Griffey Jr.

Griffey also carved out a reputation as an elite defender, winning 10 Gold Glove Awards in a row from 1990 to 1999. Known for his diving catches and wall-climbing home run robberies, Griffey’s defensive skills were as celebrated as his offensive prowess.

Awards and Accolades

Willie Mays

24× All-Star (1954–1973)
2× NL MVP (1954, 1965)
NL Rookie of the Year (1951)
12× Gold Glove Award (1957–1968)
Roberto Clemente Award (1971)
NL Batting Champion (1954)
4× NL Home Run Leader (1955, 1962, 1964, 1965)
4× NL Stolen Base Leader (1956–1959)
World Series Champion (1954)
San Francisco Giants No. 24 retired
New York Mets No. 24 retired
San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame
Member of the Major League Baseball All-Century Team
Member of the Major League Baseball All-Time Team
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1979)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015)

Standard Batting
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

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/24/2024.

Ken Griffey Jr.

13× All-Star (1990–2000, 2004, 2007)
AL MVP (1997)
10× Gold Glove Award (1990–1999)
7× Silver Slugger Award (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996–1999)
NL Comeback Player of the Year (2005)
4× AL Home Run Leader (1994, 1997–1999)
AL RBI Leader (1997)
Seattle Mariners No. 24 retired
Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
Member of the Major League Baseball All-Century Team
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (2016)

Standard Batting
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
1989	19	SEA	AL	127	506	455	61	120	23	0	16	61	16	7	44	83	.264	.329	.420	.748	108	191	4	2	1	4	8	*8/H	RoY-3
1990	20	SEA	AL	155	666	597	91	179	28	7	22	80	16	11	63	81	.300	.366	.481	.847	136	287	12	2	0	4	12	*8/HD	AS,MVP-19,GG
1991	21	SEA	AL	154	633	548	76	179	42	1	22	100	18	6	71	82	.327	.399	.527	.926	155	289	10	1	4	9	21	*8/HD	AS,MVP-9,GG,SS
1992	22	SEA	AL	142	617	565	83	174	39	4	27	103	10	5	44	67	.308	.361	.535	.896	149	302	15	5	0	3	15	*8/DH	AS,MVP-17,GG
1993	23	SEA	AL	156	691	582	113	180	38	3	45	109	17	9	96	91	.309	.408	.617	1.025	171	359	14	6	0	7	25	*8D/3	AS,MVP-5,GG,SS
1994	24	SEA	AL	111	493	433	94	140	24	4	40	90	11	3	56	73	.323	.402	.674	1.076	171	292	9	2	0	2	19	*8/D9	AS,MVP-2,GG,SS
1995	25	SEA	AL	72	314	260	52	67	7	0	17	42	4	2	52	53	.258	.379	.481	.860	122	125	4	0	0	2	6	8/D	AS,GG
1996	26	SEA	AL	140	638	545	125	165	26	2	49	140	16	1	78	104	.303	.392	.628	1.020	154	342	7	7	1	7	13	*8/D	AS,MVP-4,GG,SS
1997	27	SEA	AL	157	704	608	125	185	34	3	56	*147*	15	4	76	121	.304	.382	.646	1.028	165	393	12	8	0	12	23	*8/D7	AS,MVP-1,GG,SS
1998	28	SEA	AL	161	720	633	120	180	33	3	56	146	20	5	76	121	.284	.365	.611	.977	150	387	14	7	0	4	11	*8/D379	AS,MVP-4,GG,SS
1999	29	SEA	AL	160	706	606	123	173	26	3	48	134	24	7	91	108	.285	.384	.576	.960	139	349	8	7	0	2	17	*8/D	AS,MVP-10,GG,SS
2000	30	CIN	NL	145	631	520	100	141	22	3	40	118	6	4	94	117	.271	.387	.556	.942	133	289	7	9	0	8	17	*8/H	AS
2001	31	CIN	NL	111	417	364	57	104	20	2	22	65	2	0	44	72	.286	.365	.533	.898	124	194	8	4	1	4	6	8H/D
2002	32	CIN	NL	70	232	197	17	52	8	0	8	23	1	2	28	39	.264	.358	.426	.784	103	84	6	3	0	4	6	8H/79
2003	33	CIN	NL	53	201	166	34	41	12	1	13	26	1	0	27	44	.247	.370	.566	.936	145	94	3	6	1	1	5	8/HD
2004	34	CIN	NL	83	348	300	49	76	18	0	20	60	1	0	44	67	.253	.351	.513	.864	123	154	8	2	0	2	3	8/HD9	AS
2005	35	CIN	NL	128	555	491	85	148	30	0	35	92	0	1	54	93	.301	.369	.576	.946	144	283	9	3	0	7	3	*8/DH	MVP-24
2006	36	CIN	NL	109	472	428	62	108	19	0	27	72	0	0	39	78	.252	.316	.486	.802	99	208	13	2	0	3	6	8/HD
2007	37	CIN	NL	144	623	528	78	146	24	1	30	93	6	1	85	99	.277	.372	.496	.869	119	262	14	1	0	9	14	*9/HD	AS
2008	38	TOT	MLB	143	575	490	67	122	30	1	18	71	0	1	78	89	.249	.353	.424	.778	102	208	13	3	0	4	14	*98D/H
2008	38	CIN	NL	102	425	359	51	88	20	1	15	53	0	1	61	64	.245	.355	.432	.787	104	155	7	2	0	3	13	9/DH
2008	38	CHW	AL	41	150	131	16	34	10	0	3	18	0	0	17	25	.260	.347	.405	.751	96	53	6	1	0	1	1	8/DH9
2009	39	SEA	AL	117	454	387	44	83	19	0	19	57	0	0	63	80	.214	.324	.411	.735	97	159	6	1	0	3	2	DH/79
2010	40	SEA	AL	33	108	98	6	18	2	0	0	7	0	0	9	17	.184	.250	.204	.454	30	20	3	0	0	1	0	D/H
22 Yrs				2671	11304	9801	1662	2781	524	38	630	1836	184	69	1312	1779	.284	.370	.538	.907	136	5271	199	81	8	102	246
162 Game Avg.				162	686	594	101	169	32	2	38	111	11	4	80	108	.284	.370	.538	.907	136	320	12	5	0	6	15
				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
SEA (13 yrs)				1685	7250	6317	1113	1843	341	30	417	1216	167	60	819	1081	.292	.374	.553	.927	144	3495	118	48	6	60	172
CIN (9 yrs)				945	3904	3353	533	904	173	8	210	602	17	9	476	673	.270	.362	.514	.876	122	1723	75	32	2	41	73
CHW (1 yr)				41	150	131	16	34	10	0	3	18	0	0	17	25	.260	.347	.405	.751	96	53	6	1	0	1	1

AL (14 yrs)				1726	7400	6448	1129	1877	351	30	420	1234	167	60	836	1106	.291	.374	.550	.924	143	3548	124	49	6	61	173
NL (9 yrs)				945	3904	3353	533	904	173	8	210	602	17	9	476	673	.270	.362	.514	.876	122	1723	75	32	2	41	73

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/24/2024.

Memorable Moments

Willie Mays

Mays’ career is filled with iconic moments, but perhaps none more famous than “The Catch.” In Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, Mays made an over-the-shoulder catch that has since become legendary. His ability to perform in clutch situations and his flair for the dramatic made him a beloved figure in baseball.

Ken Griffey Jr.

Griffey’s most memorable moment came in the 1995 AL Division Series. The Mariners, facing elimination, rallied to win Game 5 against the Yankees. Griffey’s race around the bases to score the winning run on Edgar Martínez’s double is etched in Mariners folklore. This moment is often credited with helping save baseball in Seattle by leading to the construction of Safeco Field.

Legacy and Impact

Willie Mays

Mays’ legacy extends beyond his statistical achievements. He broke barriers and set new standards for what an outfielder could do. His influence on the game is seen in his competitive spirit, versatility, and excellence both at bat and in the field. Mays also lived through significant cultural changes in America and navigated the complexities of race relations with grace and dignity.

Ken Griffey Jr.

Griffey’s impact on the game is multifaceted. He was a crucial figure in revitalizing baseball’s popularity in the 1990s, particularly among younger fans. His charisma, style, and sheer talent helped bridge the gap between generations of baseball lovers. Off the field, Griffey’s involvement with endorsements and his clean image amidst the steroid era helped maintain baseball’s integrity.

Conclusion

Comparing Willie Mays and Ken Griffey Jr. is like trying to pick between two masterpieces in a gallery. Both players brought a unique blend of talent, charisma, and love for the game that resonated deeply with fans. Mays’ unparalleled defensive skills and consistent offensive power set a high bar for all players. Griffey, with his sweet swing and flair for the dramatic, captivated a new generation of baseball enthusiasts.

In the end, both Mays and Griffey Jr. are celebrated as two of the greatest center fielders to ever play the game. Their stories, filled with remarkable achievements, memorable moments, and significant impact, continue to inspire and delight baseball fans around the world.