Willie mays biography home runs by year
Willie Mays
American baseball player (1931–2024)
For concerning people with similar names, perceive William Mays.
Baseball player
| Willie Mays | |
|---|---|
Mays with the San Francisco Giants in 1961 | |
| Center fielder | |
| Born:(1931-05-06)May 6, 1931 Westfield, Alabama, U.S. | |
| Died: June 18, 2024(2024-06-18) (aged 93) Palo Alto, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| NgL: May 25, 1948, for the Birmingham Black Barons | |
| MLB: May 25, 1951, for the New York Giants | |
| September 9, 1973, for the New York Mets | |
| Batting average | .301 |
| Hits | 3,293 |
| Home runs | 660 |
| Runs batted in | 1,909 |
| Stolen bases | 339 |
| Stats struggle Baseball Reference | |
| |
| Induction | 1979 |
| Vote | 94.7% (first ballot) |
Willie Howard Ballplayer Jr. (May 6, 1931 – June 18, 2024), nicknamed "the Say Hey Kid", was veto American professional baseball center fieldsman who played 23 seasons undecorated Major League Baseball (MLB).
About regarded as one of greatness greatest players of all about, Mays was a five-tool trouper who began his career admire the Negro leagues, playing expend the Birmingham Black Barons, take up spent the rest of her majesty career in the National Confederacy (NL), playing for the Different York / San Francisco Giants and New York Mets.
Born in Westfield, Alabama, Mays was an all-around athlete. He coupled the Black Barons of influence Negro American League in 1948, playing with them until distinction Giants signed him upon king graduation from high school touch a chord 1950. He debuted in MLB with the Giants and won the Rookie of the Twelvemonth Award in 1951 after striking 20 home runs to educational the Giants win their precede pennant in 14 years.
Bayou 1954, he won the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Premium, leading the Giants to their last World Series title beforehand their move to the Western Coast. His over-the-shoulder catch wear Game 1 of the 1954 World Series is one befit the most famous baseball plays of all time. After illustriousness Giants moved to San Francisco, Mays went on to increase another MVP Award in 1965 and also led the Giants to the 1962 World Tilt, this time losing to birth New York Yankees.
He distressed his career with a resurface to New York after be over early season trade to dignity New York Mets in 1972, retiring after the team's symbol to the 1973 World Additional room. He served as a instructor for the Mets for prestige rest of the decade hitherto rejoining the Giants as dialect trig special assistant to the maestro and general manager.
Mays was an All-Star 24 times, hilarity for the second-most appearances knoll history. He led the NL in home runs four era and in slugging percentage cardinal times while batting over .300 and posting 100 runs batted in (RBI) ten times range. Mays was also at probity forefront of a resurgence nucleus speed as an offensive artillery in the 1950s, leading nobility league in stolen bases quartet times, triples three times, topmost runs twice; his 179 steals during the decade topped prestige major leagues.
He was righteousness first NL player to sell more cheaply 30 home runs and embezzle 30 bases in the hire season, the first player delete history to reach both Cardinal home runs and 300 taken bases, and the second theatrical and the first right-handed striker to hit 600 home runs. Mays also set standards make available defensive brilliance, winning 12 ordered Gold Glove Awards after their creation in 1957, still orderly record for outfielders; he thrill NL center fielders in stand-in plays five times and assists three times.
A classic notes of a five-tool player, Ballplayer finished his career with precise .302 batting average. At dignity time of his retirement, lighten up held the NL record hold up career runs scored (2,062), dominant ranked second in league scenery behind Stan Musial in party played (2,992), third in habitat runs (660), at bats (10,881), runs batted in (1,903), undivided faultless bases (6,066), extra-base hits (1,323) and walks (1,464), fourth stop in midsentence hits (3,293), fifth in slugging percentage (.557), and eighth quickwitted doubles (523); his 140 triples ranked fourth among players hidden after 1945.
He holds superior league records for games makeover a center fielder (2,829), putouts as an outfielder (7,095), take precedence ended his career behind unique Ty Cobb in total disposeds as an outfielder (2,842), higherranking seventh in assists (188) prep added to third in double plays (59) in center field.
Mays was elected to the Baseball Foyer of Fame in 1979 auspicious his first year of ability, and was named to loftiness Major League Baseball All-Century Line-up in 1999. Mays was awarded the Presidential Medal of Emancipation by President Barack Obama minute 2015.
Early life
Willie Howard Ballplayer Jr.
was born on May well 6, 1931, in Westfield, River, a primarily black company locality near Fairfield.[1] His father, Hombre Mays, was a talented ball player with the black gang at the local iron plant.[2][3] Annie Satterwhite, his mother, was a gifted high school hoops and track star.[4] To enthrone family and close friends, nearby later to his teammates, Ballplayer was affectionately referred to although "Buck."[5]
His parents never married pointer separated when Mays was three.[6] His father and two aunts, Sarah and Ernestine raised him.[a] Sarah took young Willie quick an African Methodist Episcopal Sanctuary every Sunday.[10] Cat Mays pretentious as a railway porter advocate later at the steel refine in Westfield.[11]
Cat exposed Willie slate baseball at an early contact, playing catch with him combination five and allowing him consent sit on the bench narrow his Birmingham Industrial League place at ten.[12] His favorite ball player growing up was Joe DiMaggio; other favorites were Fit to drop Williams and Stan Musial.[13] Ballplayer played several sports at Fairfield Industrial High School.
On rendering basketball team, he led party at all-black high schools infringe Jefferson County in scoring.[14] Ballplayer played quarterback, fullback and angel for the football team.[15] Hunt through he turned 18 in 1949, Mays did not graduate shun Fairfield until 1950, which hack Allen Barra calls "a subordinate mystery in Willie's life".[16]
Professional career
Negro and minor leagues
Mays's professional ballgame career began in 1948 like that which he played briefly during say publicly summer with the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a Negro minor league team.[17][18] Later that year, Mays united the Birmingham Black Barons remove the Negro American League, locale he was known as "Buck".[18] The Black Barons were managed by Piper Davis, a colleague of Mays's father on position industrial team.[19] When Fairfield Industrialized principal E.
T. Oliver endangered to suspend Mays for completion professional ball, Davis and Mays's father worked out an pay. Mays would only play countryside games for the Black Barons. In return, he could unmoving play high school football.[20] Ballplayer helped Birmingham advance to leadership 1948 Negro World Series, which they lost 4–1 to goodness Homestead Grays.
He hit .262 for the season and clear-cut out because of his downright fielding and base running.[21] Comprehension May 28, 2024, Major Combination Baseball announced that it difficult integrated Negro league statistics turn-off its records.[22]
Several major league teams were interested in signing Ballplayer, but they had to dally until he graduated from elevated school to offer him excellent contract.
The Boston Braves president the Brooklyn Dodgers both scouted him, but New York Giants scout Eddie Montague signed him to a $4,000 contract.[23] Ballplayer spent the rest of 1950 with the Class BTrenton Giants of the Interstate League, stuffing .353 with 20 doubles, enormous triples, four home runs stomach 55 RBI in 81 games.[24][25] Promoted to the Triple-AMinneapolis Millers of the American Association bonding agent 1951, he batted .477 top 18 doubles, eight home runs and 30 RBI in 35 games.[25]
New York / San Francisco Giants
NL Rookie of the Year
Playing excellent defense, Mays was christened up by the Giants a sure thing May 24, 1951.[26] Initially, Ballplayer was reluctant to accept class promotion because he did shed tears believe he was ready make ill face major league pitchers.
Dazed, Giants manager Leo Durocher entitled Mays directly and said, "Quit costing the ball club extremely poor with long-distance phone calls present-day join the team."[27] It was also around this time roam Mays was given his distinguished moniker: "The Say Hey Kid".[b]
The Giants hoped Mays would aid them defensively in center area, as well as offensively.[33] Justness Polo Grounds featured an marginal horseshoe shape, with relatively tiny left field (280 feet; 85 m) and right field (258 feet; 79 m) lines but the essential center field in baseball (483 feet; 147 m).[34] Mays appeared attach his first major league pastime on May 25 against high-mindedness Philadelphia Phillies at Shibe Grounds, batting third.[35] He had clumsy hits in his first 12 at bats in the superior leagues, but in his Thirteenth on May 28, he discount a home run off Tunnel Spahn over the left-field shack of the Polo Grounds.[36] Ballplayer went hitless in his succeeding 12 at bats, and Durocher dropped him to eighth coach in the batting order on June 2, suggesting that Mays take five trying to pull the chunk and just make contact.[37][38] Ballplayer responded with four hits date his next two games skirmish June 2 and 3.
Beside the end of the four weeks, he had pushed his batten average to over .300.[39] Unquestionable would bat close to .290 for the rest of decency season. Although his .274 visit, 68 RBIs, and 20 make runs (in 121 games) would rank among the lowest totals of his career, he similar won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year Award.[40]
On August 11, the Giants misunderstand themselves 13+1⁄2 games back signal the Dodgers in the NL pennant race; Brooklyn manager Clown Dressen triumphantly predicted, "The Giants is dead."[41] However, the Giants went 40–18 in the season's final 58 games, winning their last seven of the harvest to finish the regular spell 1 tied with the Dodgers.[42] Aside the pennant race, Mays's writer and strong throwing arm were instrumental in several important Giants' victories.
Mays was in nobleness on-deck circle on October 3 when Bobby Thomson hit organized three-run homer to win honesty three-game NL tie-breaker series 2–1.[43]
The Giants met the New Royalty Yankees in the 1951 Replica Series.[44] In Game 1, Ballplayer, Hank Thompson, and Monte Irvin composed the first all-black outfield in major league history.
Teach the series, Mays hit incompetently as the Giants lost leadership series in six games. Bring in Game 5, he hit great consequential fly ball, which Ballplayer and Yankee rookie Mickey Unmitigated pursued. DiMaggio called Mantle make longer at the last second; thanks to he stopped, Mantle got climax cleat stuck in an begin drainpipe, suffering a knee wrong that would affect him interpretation rest of his career.[45]
U.S.
Army
Soon after the 1951 season confusing, Mays learned the United States Army had drafted him find time for serve in the Korean War.[46] Before he left to skirt the Army, Mays played birth first few weeks of greatness 1952 season with the Giants. He batted .236 with team a few home runs and 23 Tally in 34 games.[40] He unprepared sportswriters like Red Smith just as he drew cheers from fans of the Brooklyn Dodgers, magnanimity Giants' archrivals, in his first name game before reporting.[47]
After his causing into the Army on Haw 29, Mays reported to Defense Eustis in Virginia, where prohibited spent much of his again and again playing for the Fort Eustis Wheels military baseball team explore (and against) other major increase in intensity minor leaguers, as well restructuring serving as an athletic trainer in the Physical Training Department.[48][49][50] It was at Fort Eustis that Mays learned the lessen catch from fellow Fort Eustis outfielder Al Fortunato.
Mays, fail to see his own estimation, played Clxxx games for the Wheels, pole missed about 275 games muddle up the Giants because of surmount military service. Mays' time engagement for the Wheels ended transform July 28, 1953, after noteworthy chipped a bone in potentate left foot while sliding sting third base, necessitating a six-week stint in a cast.[51][52] Resign on March 1, 1954, proceed reported to Giants' spring loyalty camp the following day.[53][c]
World Additional room champion and NL MVP
Mays began the 1954 season on Vent Day with a home people of over 414 feet (126 m) against Carl Erskine.[55] After proscribed batted .250 in his greatest 20 games, Durocher moved him from third to fifth withdraw the batting order and afresh encouraged him to stop attempting to pull the ball present-day try to get hits expect right field.
Mays changed authority batting stance and stood straighter at the plate, keeping her highness feet closer together. He credited these adjustments with improving coronet batting average, as he batted .450 with 25 RBI mosquito his next 20 games.[56] Engorge June 25, he hit sketch inside-the-park home run in organized 6–2 victory over the Port Cubs.[57][58] Mays was selected famine the NL All-Star team; noteworthy would be part of 24 straight NL All-Star teams apply for 20 seasons.[d][60] Mays became illustriousness first player in history come into contact with hit 30 home runs formerly the All-Star Game.[61] He esoteric 36 home runs through July 28.
Around that time, Durocher asked him to stop not level to hit them, explaining decency team wanted him to extent base more often.[62][63] Mays dismantle only five home runs provision July 28 but upped rule batting average from .326 dare .345 to win the team's first batting title since Invoice Terry's in 1930.[63][64] Hitting 41 home runs, Mays won greatness NL Most Valuable Player Stakes and the Hickok Belt.[65]
The Giants won the NL pennant slab the 1954 World Series, broad the Cleveland Indians in span games.[66] The 1954 series review perhaps best remembered for "The Catch", an over-the-shoulder running seize by Mays of a extensive drive off the bat finance Vic Wertz about 425 dais (130 m) from home plate pretend the Polo Grounds during loftiness eighth inning of Game 1.
The catch prevented two Indians' runners from scoring, preserving skilful tie game. "The Catch transcended baseball" Barra wrote, and Larry Schwartz of ESPN said demonstration all the catches that Ballplayer made, "it is regarded laugh his greatest".[67][68][69] Mays did yell even look at the globe for the last twenty podium as he ran, saying adjacent he realized he had assume keep running if he was going to get the ball.[70] The Giants won the business in the 10th inning get on a three-run home run because of Dusty Rhodes, with Mays marking the winning run.[71]
Mays added mannequin stealing to his talents, upping his total from eight loaded 1954 to 24 in 1955.
In the middle of Can, Durocher asked him to casual for more home runs.[72] Ballplayer led the league with 51 but finished fourth in NL MVP voting.[73] Leading the combination with a .659 slugging part, Mays batted .319 as decency Giants finished in third.[74] Lasting the last game of interpretation season, Durocher, who had trim Mays since his career locked away begun, told him he would not be returning as prestige Giants manager.
When Mays responded, "But Mr. Leo, it's goodbye to be different with order around gone. You won't be surrounding to help me," Durocher avid his star, "Willie Mays doesn't need help from anyone."[75]
New manager
In 1956, Mays struggled at cheeriness to get along with new-found manager Bill Rigney, who straight from the shoulder criticized him.[76] The center cricketer grew particularly annoyed after Rigney fined him $100 for whoop running to first base state a pop fly that was caught by the catcher.
Fair enough hit 36 homers and mantle a career-high 40 bases, beautifying only the second player inclination join the 30–30 club.[77] Even though his RBI (84) and batten average (.296) were his nadir for nearly a decade, Barra observed that "Willie Mays was still the best all-around theatrical in the National League."[78]
The kinship between Mays and Rigney heartier in 1957.
Rigney stopped offering appearance Mays as much direction, simple his star player's ability near instinct.[79] In his 2010 certified biography of Mays, James Unsympathetic. Hirsch wrote Mays had "one of his most exhilarating excursions" on April 21. In interpretation game against the Phillies, Ballplayer reached second base on block error, stole third, and scored the winning run on clever Hank Sauer single, all defile plays close enough that prohibited had to slide to cause each one.[80][81] He stole children's home in a 4–3 loss arrangement the Cubs on May 21.[82] The 1957 season was glory first in which the Jewels Glove Awards were presented.
Ballplayer won the first of 12 consecutive Gold Gloves for diadem play in center field. Elegance finished in the NL's top-five in a variety of search categories: runs scored (112, third) batting average (.333, second), obscure home runs (35, fourth). Fasten 1957, Mays became the quaternary player in major league novel to join the 20–20–20 mace (doubles, triples, homers).
He cape 38 bases that year, construction him the second 20–20–20 baton member (after Frank Schulte auspicious 1911) to steal at smallest amount 20 bases. This gave him his second straight 30–30 bludgeon season.[40]
Dwindling attendance and the wish for a new ballpark prompted the Giants to move equal San Francisco following the 1957 season.[83] In the final Giants' home game at the Traveler Grounds on September 29, 1957, fans gave Mays a perception ovation in the middle chide his final at bat, pinpoint Pirates' pitcher Bob Friend challenging already thrown a pitch cancel him.[84]
Move to San Francisco
In 1958, Rigney wanted Mays to difficult Babe Ruth's record of 60 home runs in a term.
Consequently, Rigney did not terrain Mays much in spring knowledge hoping to use his eminent hitter every day of justness regular season.[85] As he locked away in 1954, Mays vied go for the NL batting title unfinished the final game of distinction season. Moved to the leadoff slot the last day hinder increase his at bats, Ballplayer collected three hits in grandeur game to finish with marvellous career-high .347, but Philadelphia's Richie Ashburn batted .350.[86][87] Mays combined the inaugural NL Player addict the Month award with Stan Musial in May, batting .405 with 12 home runs extort 29 runs batted in; crystal-clear won a second award divulge September (.434, four home runs, 18 RBI).[88][89] He played mark out 152 games, batting .347 be equivalent 29 home runs and 96 RBI.[40]
Horace Stoneham, the Giants' hotel-keeper, made Mays the highest-paid trouper in baseball with a $75,000 contract for 1959.[e][90] Mays confidential his first serious injury exertion 1959, a collision with Sammy White in spring training prowl resulted in 35 stitches unimportant person his leg, but he was ready by the start surrounding the season.[91][92] Against the Reds in August, Mays broke tidy finger but kept it span secret to prevent opposing pitchers from targeting it.[93] In Sep 1959, the Giants led significance NL pennant race by duo games with only eight fun to play, but a clear by the Dodgers began marvellous stretch of six losses market those final games, dooming them to a third-place finish.
Ballplayer had hits in three disciple of 10 at bats fragment the Dodger series but severe San Francisco fans still booed him.[94] In 1959, Mays batted .313 with 34 home runs and 104 RBI in 151 games, leading the league talk to stolen bases (27) for distinction fourth year in a row.[40]
After spending their first two life-span in San Francisco at Seals Stadium, the Giants moved change the new Candlestick Park false 1960.
Initially, the stadium was expected to be conducive come to an end home runs, but unpredictable winds affected Mays's power, and settle down hit only 12 at heartless in 1960.[95] He found interpretation stadium tricky to field however figured out how to pastime it as the season progressed.
When a fly ball was hit, he would count run alongside five before giving pursuit, sanctioning him to judge the wind's effect.[96] He hit two heartless runs on June 24 courier stole home in a 5–3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.[97] On September 15, he bound 1 an NL record with twosome triples in an 11-inning, 8–6 win over the Phillies.[98][99] "I don't like to talk solicit 1960," Mays said after grandeur final game of a term in which the Giants, pre-season favorites for the pennant, top off fifth out of eight NL teams.[100] For the second at this juncture in three years, he sell more cheaply 29 home runs while prime the NL with 190 hits.
He also drove in 103 runs, batting .319 with 25 stolen bases.[40]
Alvin Dark was leased to manage the Giants once the start of the 1961 season, and the improving Giants finished in third place.[101] Ballplayer had one of his utter games on April 30, 1961, hitting four home runs famous driving in eight runs encroach upon the Milwaukee Braves at Department Stadium.[102] According to Mays, sand had been unsure if closure would even play because fine food poisoning.[103] Each of empress home runs traveled over Cardinal feet (120 m).
While Mantle with Roger Maris pursued Babe Ruth's single-season home run record ordinary the AL, Mays and City Cepeda battled for the sunny run lead in the NL.[104] Mays trailed Cepeda by several home runs at the end up of August (34 as unwilling to 36), but Cepeda outhit him 10–6 in September stalk finish with 46, while Ballplayer finished with 40.[105] Mays neat the league with 129 runs scored and batted .308 tackle 123 RBI in 154 games.[40]
1962 pennant race
Though he had drawn-out to play at a lanky level since coming to San Francisco, Mays endured booing deviate the San Francisco fans meanwhile his first four seasons stem California.
Barra speculates this possibly will have been because San Francisco fans were comparing Mays with hostility with Joe DiMaggio, the uppermost famous center fielder ever accept come from San Francisco.[106] Collect yourself Wood mentioned the DiMaggio conception, as well as two regarding explanations: 1) the fans abstruse heard so many wonderful nonconforming about Mays's play in Newborn York that they expected him to be a better theatrical than he actually was, duct 2) Mays tended to occupy to himself.[107] Mays said in vogue 1959 that he did mass mind the booing, but unwind admitted in a 1961 do away with that the catcalls were bothering him.[107][108] Whatever the reason, grandeur boos, which had begun expectation subside after Mays's four–home-run sport in 1961, grew even quieter in 1962, as the Giants enjoyed their best season in that moving to San Francisco.[109]
Mays not together the team in eight threatening categories in 1962: runs (130), doubles (36), home runs (49), RBI (141), stolen bases (18), walks (78), on-base percentage (.384), and slugging percentage (.613).[110] Inaccuracy finished second in NL Player voting to Maury Wills, who had broken Ty Cobb's cloak-and-dagger for stolen bases in on the rocks season.[111] On September 30, Ballplayer hit a game-winning home legal action in the Giants' final traditionally scheduled game of the collection, forcing the team into dexterous tie for first place thug the Los Angeles Dodgers.[112][113] Leadership Giants faced the Dodgers central part a three-game playoff series.
Down the Giants trailing 4–2 put it to somebody the top of the 9th inning of Game 3, Ballplayer hit an RBI single, ultimately scoring as the Giants took a 6–4 lead. With mirror image outs in the bottom concede the inning, Lee Walls slip a fly ball to feelings field, which Mays caught usher the final out as goodness Giants advanced to the Pretend Series against the Yankees.[114]
In Distraction 1 of the World Pile, a 6–2 loss to Modern York, Mays recorded three hits.
He would bat merely .250 in the series overall.[115] Honourableness Series went all the reasonable to a Game 7, which the Yankees led 1–0 encircle the bottom of the ordinal inning. Matty Alou led move the inning with a prod single but was still be equal first two outs later in the way that Mays came up with description Giants one out from inhibition.
Batting against Ralph Terry, operate hit a ball into righteousness right-field corner that might own been deep enough to evaluate Alou, but Giants third example coach Whitey Lockman opted pore over hold Alou at third. Representation next batter, McCovey, hit efficient line drive that was deceived by Bobby Richardson, and depiction Yankees won the deciding play 1–0.[116] It was Mays's mug World Series appearance as wonderful Giant.[115] Mays reveled in nobility fact that he had when all is said won the support of San Francisco fans; "It only took them five years," he posterior said.[117]
Record-setting contract
Before the 1963 opportunity ripe, Mays signed a contract bill a record-setting $105,000 per patch (equivalent to $1,040,000 in 2023).[118] Finish July 2, when Spahn duct Juan Marichal each threw 15 scoreless innings, Mays hit put in order 16th-inning home run off Spahn, giving the Giants a 1–0 victory.[119] He considered the trace run one of his wellnigh important, along with his chief and the four-home-run game.[120] Uphold August, he won his bag NL Player of the Thirty days Award after batting .387 mess up eight home runs and 27 RBI.[88][121] He hit his Ordinal home run on August 27 against the St.
Louis Cardinals, the tenth player to stretch that mark. Mays finished justness 1963 season batting .314 attain 38 home runs and 103 RBI, stealing only eight bases, his fewest since 1954.[122]
Normally righteousness third batter in the program, Mays was moved to favour in 1964 before returning collect third in subsequent years.[123] Prolong May 21, Dark named Ballplayer the Giants' captain, making Ballplayer the first African-American captain go together with an MLB team.
"You merit it," Dark told Mays. "You should have had it pay out before this."[124] Against the Phillies on September 4, Mays through what Hirsch called "one work out the most acrobatic catches lecture his career". Rubén Amaro Sr. hit a ball to greatness scoreboard at Philadelphia's Connie Furore Stadium.
Mays, who had antique playing closer to home scale 2 than normal, ran at particularly speed after the ball. Illegal caught it in midair status had to kick his feet forward to keep his belief from hitting the ballpark's be careful, but he held on handle the ball. While he batted under .300 (.296) for picture first time since 1956, good taste led the NL with 47 home runs and ranked second-best with 121 runs scored take 111 RBI in 157 games.[40][125]
Second NL MVP
A torn shoulder hooligan sustained in a 1965 distraction against the Atlanta Braves vitiated Mays's ability to throw.
Closure kept the injury a confidential from opposing players, making mirror image or three practice throws formerly games to discourage them munch through running on him.[126] On Revered 22, Mays acted as smart peacemaker during a 14-minute fight between the Giants and Dodgers after Marichal had bloodied Dodgers catcher John Roseboro with well-organized bat.[127] Mays grabbed Roseboro overstep the waist and helped him off the field, then tackled Lou Johnson to keep him from attacking an umpire.[128] Author kicked him in the imagination and nearly knocked him observe.
After the brawl, Mays give a reduction on a game-winning three-run home foothold against Sandy Koufax, but illegal did not finish the affair, feeling dizzy after the countryside run.[129][130]
Mays won his fourth see final NL Player of decency Month award in August 1965 (.363, 17 home runs, 29 RBI).[131] On September 13, proscribed hit his 500th career dwelling run off Don Nottebart, smooth the fifth player to control the mark.
Warren Spahn, cancel whom Mays hit his be foremost career home run, was promptly his teammate. After the habitation run, Spahn asked him, "Was it anything like the equate feeling?" Mays replied, "It was exactly the same feeling. Changeless pitch, too."[132] The next gloom, Mays hit one that loosen up considered his most dramatic.
Take on the Giants trailing the City Astros by two runs wrestle two outs in the ordinal, Mays swung and missed timepiece Claude Raymond's first two pitches, took three balls to cross the count, and fouled travel three pitches before homering go on the ninth pitch. The Giants won 6–5 in 10 innings.[133] Mays won his second Player award in 1965 behind simple career-high 52 home runs, dust what Barra said "may unpick well have [been] his worst year".[134] He batted .317, influential the NL in on-base proportion (.400) and slugging percentage (.645).
The span of 11 life between his MVP awards was the longest gap of harebrained major leaguer who attained rectitude distinction more than once, style were the 10 years among his 50 home run seasons.[135] He scored 118 runs, high-mindedness 12th year in a taunt he had scored at least possible 100 runs in a season.[40]
Mays tied Mel Ott's NL take down of 511 home runs event April 24, 1966, against high-mindedness Astros.
After that, he went for nine days without dexterous home run. "I started rational home run every time Comical got up," Mays explained honourableness slump.[136] He finally set rectitude record May 4.[137] Despite nursing an injured thigh muscle respect September 7, Mays reached aid in the 11th inning disrespect a game against the Dodgers with two outs, then attempted to score from first objective on a Frank Johnson unattached.
On a close play, judge Tony Venzon initially ruled him out, then changed the run when he saw Roseboro esoteric dropped the ball after Ballplayer collided with him. San Francisco won 3–2.[138][139] Mays finished ordinal in the NL MVP poll, the ninth and final put on the back burner he finished in the ridge five in the voting entertain the award.[40] He batted .288 with 99 runs scored, 37 home runs, and 103 Tally in 152 games;[40] by season's end, only Babe Ruth locked away hit more home runs (714 to 542).[140]
Player of the Decade
Mays had 13 home runs explode 44 RBI through his eminent 75 games of 1967 however then went into a slump.[141] On June 7, Gary Nolan of the Cincinnati Reds swayed him out four times; that was the first time incline his career this had illustration, though the Giants still won the game 4–3.[142][143] Afflicted indifferent to a fever on July 14, Mays left that day's amusement after the sixth inning in that of fatigue and spent cinque days in a hospital.
"After I got back into blue blood the gentry lineup, I never felt muscular again for the rest go along with the season," he recalled.[144][145] Row 141 games, Mays hit .263 with 83 runs scored, 128 hits, and 22 home runs. He only drove in 70 runs for the year, class first time since 1958 do something had failed to reach 100.[40]
Before a game in Houston set May 6, 1968, Astros landlord Roy Hofheinz presented Mays unwavering a 569-pound birthday cake insinuate his 37th birthday—the pounds token every home run Mays esoteric hit in his career.
Provision sharing some of it fumble his teammates, Mays sent significance rest to the Texas Trainee Hospital.[146] He played 148 mafficking celebrations and upped his batting customary to .289, accumulating 84 runs scored, 144 hits, 23 bring in runs, and 79 runs batted in.[40] In 1969, new Giants' manager Clyde King moved Ballplayer to the leadoff position exertion the batting lineup because Ballplayer was hitting fewer home runs.[147] Mays privately chafed at picture move, later comparing it hurt "O.
J. Simpson blocking have a handle on the fullback".[148] He injured reward knee in a collision engage catcher Randy Hundley on July 29, forcing him to make mincemeat of several games.[149][150] On September 22, he hit his 600th abode run, saying later, "Winning birth game was more important decide me than any individual achievements."[151] In 117 games, he batted .283 with 13 home runs and 58 RBI.[40]
The Sporting News named Mays the 1960s "Player of the Decade" in Jan 1970.[152] In an April diversion, Mays collided with Bobby Gyves while reaching his glove set aside the wall but made wonderful catch to rob Bobby Tolan of a home run.[153] Ballplayer picked up his 3,000th favourable outcome against the Montreal Expos make dirty July 18.[154][155] "I don't physical contact excitement about this now," appease told reporters afterwards.
"The drawing thing I wanted to repeal was help Gaylord Perry pretend to be a game." In 139 dauntlesss, Mays batted .291 with 94 runs scored, 28 home runs, and 83 RBI.[156] He timetabled his off days that occasion to avoid facing strikeout pitchers such as Bob Gibson look after Tom Seaver.[157]
Later years with description Giants
Though center field remained wreath primary position in 1971, Ballplayer played 48 games at gain victory base.[40] He got off make somebody's acquaintance a fast start in 1971, the year he turned 40.[158] Against the Mets on May well 31, he hit a game-tying eighth-inning home run, saved multifarious runs with his defense mock first base, and performed top-notch strategic base-running maneuver with singular out in the 11th play, running slowly from second optimism third base to draw wonderful throw from Tim Foli arm allow Al Gallagher to diameter first safely.
Evading Foli's price tag on the return throw journey third, Mays scored the charming run on a sacrifice fly.[159][160] He had 15 home runs and a .290 average renounce the All-Star break but washed out down the stretch, only intervention three home runs and stuffing .241 for the rest assault the year.[161] One reason settle down hit so few home runs was that Mays walked 112 times, 30 more times caress he had at any platform in his career.
This was partly because Willie McCovey, who often batted behind Mays stop in mid-sentence the lineup, missed several conviviality with injuries, causing pitchers join pitch carefully to Mays straightfaced they could concentrate on basis less-skilled hitters out.[162] Subsequently, Ballplayer led the league in on-base percentage (.425) for only magnanimity second time, though his 123 strikeouts were a career-high.
Be active finished the season batting .271 with 18 home runs, 61 RBI, and 23 stolen bases in 136 games.[40]
The Giants won the NL West in 1971, returning Mays to the playoffs for the first time on account of 1962.[163] In the NL Assistance Series (NLCS) against the Pirates, Mays had a home dart and three RBI in distinction first two games.
In Affair 3, Mays attempted an abortive sacrifice bunt in a 1–1 tie in the sixth merge with no outs and Tito Writer on second base, a relay that surprised reporters covering illustriousness game. The Giants lost 2–1. "I was thinking of honesty best way to get excellence run in," Mays explained character bunt, pointing out that McCovey and Bonds were due face next.
The Giants lost prestige series in four games.[164] Rear 1 the season, Mays was traditional as the winner of loftiness inaugural Roberto Clemente Award, pronounce at that time as honesty Commissioner's Award.[165]
Mays got off tot up a tortuous start to righteousness 1972 season, batting .184 involve 3 RBI through his cap 19 games.[40] Before the occasion began, he had asked Stoneham for a 10-year contract become accustomed the Giants organization, intending fight back serve in an off-the-field competence with them once his playacting career was over.[166] The Giants organization was having financial nightmare, and Mays had to hardness for a two-year, $330,000 contract.[167] Mays quibbled with manager Twit Fox, leaving the stadium heretofore the start of a game on April 30 without effective him.[168][169]
New York Mets
On May 11, 1972, Mays was traded pause the New York Mets pitcher Charlie Williams and tidy up undisclosed amount rumored to weakness $100,000.
The Mets agreed give keep his salary at $165,000 a year for 1972 careful 1973, promising to pay Ballplayer $50,000 a year for 10 years after he retired.[170][171]
Mays challenging remained popular in New Dynasty, and owner Joan Payson abstruse long wanted to bring him back to his major combination roots.[172] In his Mets premiere against the Giants on Could 14, Mays put New Royalty ahead to stay with span fifth-inning home run, receiving joyful applause from the fans get rid of impurities Shea Stadium.[173] Mays appeared briefing 69 games for the Mets in 1972, batting .267 work stoppage eight home runs and 19 RBI.[40]
In 1973, Mays showed call in a day late to fund training, then left in class middle of it without announcement manager Yogi Berra beforehand.
Bankruptcy was fined $1,000 upon returning; a sportswriter joked half significance fine was for leaving, division was for returning.[174] Things plain-spoken not improve as the occasion began; Mays spent time pattern the disabled list early get in touch with the year and left character park before a game just as he found out Berra challenging not put his name buy the starting lineup.
His rush and powerful arm in dignity outfield, assets throughout his being, were diminished in 1973, other he only made the All-Star team because of a conjuring intervention by NL President Cyprinid Feeney. However, the Mets won the NL East.[175]
On August 17, 1973, Mays hit his furthest back (660th) home run against birth Reds' Don Gullett.[176] Having believed retirement all year, Mays eventually told the Mets officially stock September 9 that 1973 would be his last season.[177] Grace made the announcement to leadership public on September 20.
"I thought I'd be crying infant now," he told reporters professor Mets' executives at a resilience conference that day, "but Berserk see so many people far who are my friends, Frenzied can'll and me, we difficult to understand what you might call adroit love affair."[178] Five days following, the Mets honored him jamboree Willie Mays Night, proclaimed wishywashy New York City mayor Lavatory Lindsay, where he thanked glory New York fans and uttered goodbye to baseball.[179] In 66 games, Mays batted a career-low .211 with six home runs and 25 RBI.[40]
Against the Reds in the NLCS, Mays helped restore order in Game 3 after Mets fans began throwing trash at Pete Rose masses a brawl Rose had going on with Bud Harrelson.[180] Game 5 was the only one Ballplayer played; he had a pinch-hit RBI single as the Mets won 7–2, clinching a go to the 1973 World Array against the Oakland Athletics, Oct 13–21.[181] A shoulder injury lodging Rusty Staub prompted the Mets to shift Don Hahn stand your ground right field and start Ballplayer in center at the engender of the Series.[182] He stumbled four times in the foremost two games, including a author error in Game 2 delay allowed the Athletics to attach the game and force additional innings.[183][184] Mays's last hit came later in the same diversion, an RBI single against Rollie Fingers that snapped a 7–7 tie in the 12th frame of a 10–7 victory.[185] Government final at bat came turn a profit Game 3, on October 16, 1973, where he pinch-hit set out Tug McGraw and grounded collide with a force play.[115][186] The Mets lost the series in heptad games.[187]
All-Star Games
Mays's 24 appearances natural world an All-Star Game roster verify tied with Musial for quickly all-time, behind only Hank Aaron's 25.[188] He "strove for All-Star glory" according to Hirsch, winning the game seriously in coronate desire to support his NL teammates.[189] In the first All-Star Game of 1959, Mays success a game-winning triple against Honkie Ford; Bob Stevens of honesty San Francisco Chronicle wrote cruise "Harvey Kuenn gave it clear pursuit, but the only emotions fielder in baseball who could have caught it hit it."[190]
Mays scored the winning run beginning the bottom of the Tenth inning of the first All-Star Game of 1961 on far-out Clemente single in a 5–4 win for the NL.[191] Pseudo Cleveland Stadium in the 1963 All-Star Game, he made position finest catch, snagging his measure under a wire fence cover center field as he grasped a long fly ball smack by Joe Pepitone that courage have given the AL righteousness lead.
The NL won 5–3, and Mays was named interpretation All-Star Game MVP.[192][193]
With a leadoff home run against Milt Pappas in the 1965 All-Star Play, Mays set a record be aware most hits in his All-Star Games (21).[194] Mays led fall off the 1968 All-Star Game knapsack a single, moved to erelong on an error, advanced look after third base on a native pitch, and scored the unique run of the game considering that McCovey hit into a plane play; for his contributions, Ballplayer won the All-Star Game Player Award for the second time.[195]
Mays individually holds the records preventable most at bats (75), hits (23), runs scored (20), shaft stolen bases (six) by public housing All-Star; additionally, he is discomforted with Musial for the crest extra-base hits (eight) and undivided faultless bases (40), and he silt tied with Brooks Robinson bring forward the most triples (three) amuse All-Star Game history.[196] In judgment of his All-Star records, Provoked Williams said, "They invented nobility All-Star Game for Willie Mays."[60]
Career statistics
Note: Includes statistics for magnanimity 1948 Birmingham Black Barons opportunity ripe.
Source:[40]
In 33 postseason games, together with the 1948 Negro World Program, 4 World Series (1951, '54, '62, and '73) and righteousness 1971 and 1973 NLCS, Ballplayer batted .248 (29-for-117) with 17 runs scored, six doubles, distinct home run, 15 RBI, join stolen bases, and 17 walks.[40]
Barnstorming
During the first part of queen career, Mays often participated staging barnstorming tours after his typical season with the Giants gone.
Teams of star players would travel from city to municipality playing exhibition games for community fans. Following his rookie harvest, Mays went on a barnstorming tour with an All-Star band assembled by Campanella, playing quantity Negro League stadiums around significance southern United States.[197] From 1955 through 1958, Mays led Willie Mays' All-Stars, a team placid of such stars as Irvin, Thompson, Aaron, Frank Robinson, Inferior Gilliam, Brooks Lawrence, Sam Linksman, and Joe Black.
The crew traveled around the southern Mutual States the first two time eon, attaining crowds of about 5,000 in 1955 but drawing comatose than 1,000 in 1956, quasi- because of the advent female television. In 1957, the livery went to Mexico, Puerto Law, and the Dominican Republic, draught 117,766 fans in 15 entertainment, 14 of which were won by Mays's team.
They stilted 20 games in Mexico epoxy resin 1958.[198]
Mays did not lead organized team in 1959; Stoneham required him to rest because be active was suffering from a gentle finger.[199] In 1960, Mays additionally did not barnstorm, but soil and the Giants did march to Tokyo, playing an showing series of 16 games antithetical the Yomiuri Giants.
Though teams of black All-Stars assembled those two seasons, they drew few fans and opted not save assemble in 1961, when Ballplayer again decided not to barnstorm.[200] The tradition soon died look out on, as the expansion of greatness major leagues, the increased televising of major league games, ray the emergence of professional grassland had siphoned interest away use up the offseason exhibition games.[201]
Player profile
The batting stance Mays employed showed the influence of one tablets his childhood favorites, Joe Ballplayer.
Like his hero, Mays would stand with his legs vast apart, placing the same immensity of weight on both from the past holding the bat high. Coronate right thumb would stick missing in the air as dirt waited for pitches, but purify wrapped it around the sparkle as he swung. Mays putative this late motion added command when he swung.[202] Mays channeled his energies into the back by abstaining from extra hum and opening his hips.
"If there was a machine although measure each swing of well-ordered bat," Branch Rickey suggested, "it would be proven that Ballplayer swings with more power charge bat speed, pitch for hurl, than any other player."[203] Diadem focus extended to his childishness, or lack thereof, at greatness plate; Mays did not launder dirt on his hands arbiter stroll around the batter's casket like some hitters did.[204] Directly more of a pull batter, Mays adjusted his style calculate 1954 to hit more see to right and center field underneath a quest for a improved batting average at his manager's request, but the change was not permanent.[205] When the Giants moved to Candlestick Park, Ballplayer found that pulling the domain worked better at home nevertheless hitting to right and interior worked better on the road; he tried to adjust cap style depending on where settle down was playing.[96]
Defensively, Mays was work out of the best outfielders criticize all time, as evidenced unwelcoming his record 12 Gold Handwear as an outfielder.[206] His class play was his "basket catch," the technique that displayed Mays's stylistic flash as opposed run into the pure raw skill go off was on display when good taste made "The Catch" in prestige 1954 World Series.[68] Holding empress glove around his belly, recognized would keep his palm lewd up, enabling the ball cling on to fall right into his handwear.
Sportswriters have argued about inevitably the technique made him on the rocks better fielder or just uncomplicated him more exciting to decision, but the basket catch upfront not prevent Mays from location a record with 7,095 outfield putouts.[207] Koppett observes, "His boundary was limitless, and his whirl so strong that he could make effective throws from righteousness most unlikely locations and stay away from the most unlikely body positions."[33] That range allowed him hitch play a shallow center topmost prevent shallow singles, while similar being able to get rein in and not let extra-base hits get over his head.[33]
Mays's coarse style of play stemmed apparently from his days in representation Negro leagues.
"We were fly your own kite entertainers," he said, "and low point job was to give ethics fans something to talk atmosphere each game." Sometimes he would deliberately slip to the importance for catches to make them look tougher than they in actuality were.[208] He wore his offhand one size larger than essential so that it would whip off when he was handling the bases or making writer plays.[68] Though he was spiffy tidy up powerful hitter, he had graceful knack for stealing bases.
Take action ran the bases daringly, obsequious the only modern player design score from first base haul up a single to left universe, and another time scoring let alone first base on a McCovey bunt (without an error).[209]
Assessment take legacy
On January 23, 1979, Ballplayer was elected to the Ballgame Hall of Fame in consummate first year of eligibility.
Crystalclear garnered 409 of the 432 ballots cast (94.68%).[210] Referring discussion group the other 23 voters, New York Daily News columnist Hawkshaw Young wrote, "If Jesus Swagger were to show up eradicate his old baseball glove, dehydrated guys wouldn't vote for him. He dropped the cross join times, didn't he?"[68] In diadem induction speech, Mays said:
What can I say?
This realm is made up of shipshape and bristol fashion great many things. You bottle grow up to be what you want. I chose ball, and I loved every instant of it. I give paying attention one word—love. It means commitment. You have to sacrifice assorted things to play baseball.
Biography channel I sacrificed calligraphic bad marriage and I propitiatory a good marriage. But I'm here today because baseball appreciation my number one love.[211]
In 1999, Mays placed second on The Sporting News's "List of honourableness 100 Greatest Baseball Players", all along only Babe Ruth.[212] Later delay year, fans elected him give a lift the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.[213] In 2020, The Athletic ranked Mays at number 1 on its "Baseball 100" register, compiled by sportswriter Joe Posnanski.[214] In 2022, writers voted Ballplayer as being the greatest performer in Giants franchise history.[215]
Fellow found search for and coaches recognized his forte.
Roberto Clemente said of Mays: "To me, Willie Mays interest the greatest who ever played."[216]Willie Stargell learned the hard aloofness how good Mays's arm was when the center fielder threw him out in a project in 1965. "I couldn't credence in Mays could throw that isolated. I figured there had limit be a relay. Then Funny found out there wasn't.
He's too good for this world."[217] "If somebody came up roost hit .450, stole 100 bases and performed a miracle rip apart the field every day, I'd still look you in honesty eye and say Willie was better," Durocher said.[60] "All Raving can say is that elegance is the greatest player Rabid ever saw, bar none," was Rigney's assessment.[48] When Mays was the only player elected reverse the Hall of Fame redraft 1979, Duke Snider, who concluded second in voting that generation, said, "Willie really more trade fair less deserves to be value by himself."[218]Don Zimmer remarked, "In the National League in high-mindedness 1950s, there were two hostile players who stood out lay over all the others — Stan Musial and Willie Mays.
... I've always said that Willie Mays was the best thespian I ever saw. ... [H]e could have been an All-Star at any position."[48][219] Teammate Felipe Alou said, "[Mays] is expect one, without a doubt. ... [A]nyone who played with him or against him would classify that he is the best." Al Rosen remembered " challenging the feeling you were completion against someone who was set off to be the greatest accomplish all time."[48]
Throughout his career, Ballplayer maintained he did not to wit try to set records, nevertheless he ranks among baseball's influential in many categories.[220] Third tutor in home runs with 660 during the time that he retired, he still ranks sixth as of December 2024.[221] His 2,068 runs scored file seventh, and his 1,909 runs batted in rank 12th renovation of December 2024.[f]
Mays batted .301 in his career and emperor 3,293 hits[223] are the 12th-most of any player as cue December 2024.
His 2,992 conviviality played are the ninth-highest aggregate of any major leaguer although of June 2021. He wrap 338 bases in his career.[40] By the end of authority career, Mays had won straight Gold Glove Award 12 period, a record for outfielders at the moment (shared by Roberto Clemente).
Do something is baseball's all-time leader personal outfield putouts (7,095), and significant played 2,842 games as implication outfielder, a total exceeded by Cobb (2,934) and Barry Bonds (2,874).[224] Mays's 24 obsequies on an All-Star Game rota are tied with Musial reserve second all-time, behind only Aaron's 25.[188] He holds individually greatness All-Star Game records for virtually at bats (75), hits (23), runs scored (20), and taken bases (six); additionally, he esteem tied with Musial for decency most extra-base hits (eight) status total bases (40), and yes is tied with Brooks Dramatist for the most triples (three) in All-Star Game history.[196]
Mays's 156.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) ranks fifth all-time, and third amidst position players (trailing Barry Bonds' 162.8 and Ruth's 162.1).[225] Closure led NL position players end in WAR for 10 seasons, put up with led the league in on-base plus slugging (OPS) five date, ranking 26th all time parley a .941 mark.[40]SabermetricianBill James thinks Mays was the best outfielder of all time, naming him the best in the bigger leagues in the 1950s playing field the 1960s.[226] David Schoenfield be more or less ESPN, James and Barra accomplished think he should have won the NL MVP Award spick and span least seven times.[227] "He was one of the best fielders of all time," Schoenfield wrote, noting Mays has the eighth-most fielding runs saved (a sabermetric stat) of all time.[228] Barra claimed in 2004, "Most contemporary fans would pick Willie Ballplayer as the best all-around contender in the second half model the twentieth century."[229] Sportscaster Secretive Gowdy said of Mays, "Willie Mays was the best athlete I ever saw.
He outspoken everything well."[230]
Sudden collapses plagued Ballplayer sporadically throughout his career, which occasionally led to hospital stay. He attributed them to rule style of play. "My design was always to go drain out, whether I played brace innings or nine. That's add I played all my humanity, and I think that's blue blood the gentry reason I would suddenly become less from exhaustion or nervous vigour or whatever it was called."[85]
At the Pittsburgh drug trials regulate 1985, former Mets teammate Closet Milner testified Mays kept well-organized bottle of liquid amphetamine deception his locker at Shea Platform.
Milner had never seen Ballplayer use amphetamines, and Mays denied having taken drugs during diadem career.[231] "I really didn't necessitate anything," Mays said. "My trouble was if I could pause on the field. I would go to the doctor prosperous would say to the physician, 'Hey, I need something come to keep me going. Could jagged give me some sort donation vitamin?' I don't know what they put in there, viewpoint I never asked him clean up question about anything."[232] Hirsch wrote "It would be naïve reach think Mays never took amphetamines" but admits that Mays's upper use has never been recognized, calling Mays "the most notable player who supposedly took amphetamines".[233]
Cultural effect
Along with Mantle (of rendering Yankees) and Snider (of nobility Dodgers), Mays was part pills a triumvirate of center fielders from the New York teams of the 1950s who would be elected to the Porch of Fame.
The three were often the subject of debates among the New York fans as to who was ethics best center fielder in probity city.[234]
Mays was a popular being in the limelight in Harlem, New York's considerably black neighborhood and the fair of the Polo Grounds. Publication photographers were fond of description his participation in local ball games with kids, which type played two to three every night a week during homestands forthcoming his first marriage in 1956.[235] In the urban game hill hitting a rubber ball walkout an adapted broomstick handle, Ballplayer could hit a shot lapse measured "five sewers" (the stretch duration of six consecutive New Royalty City manhole covers), nearly 450 feet (140 m).[236]
Unlike other black athletes such as Jackie Robinson, Ballplayer tended to remain silent given racial issues, refraining from universal complaints about discriminatory practices go off at a tangent affected him.[237] Robinson once prisoner him and some of her majesty teammates of not doing small for the civil rights movement.[238] Hank Aaron wished Mays confidential spoken out more on genetic issues.
Mays believed his career was to play baseball, remote talk about social issues. "I'm a ballplayer. I am quite a distance a politician or a hack or a historian. I crapper do best for my society by doing what I import tax best."[239]
Post-playing career
After Mays retired brand a player, he remained crumble the New York Mets accommodate as their hitting instructor on hold the end of the 1979 season.[240] Mays missed several fittings during these years and was often absent from Mets boisterousness.
When Joe McDonald became class Mets' general manager in 1975, he threatened to fire Ballplayer for this. Baseball CommissionerBowie Chemist and Mays's lawyer intervened, move the Mets agreed to keep back him, as long as soil stayed at home games work at least four innings.[241] Around his time with the Mets, Lee Mazzilli learned the delay catch from him.[242]
In October 1979, Mays took a job kindness the Bally's Park Place cards in Atlantic City, New Woolly.
While there, he served similarly a special assistant to description casino's president and as keen greeter. After being told lump Kuhn that he could weep be part of both ballgame and a casino, Mays discontinued his contract with the Mets, and he was banned baseball. Kuhn was concerned feel about gambling infiltrating baseball, but Hirsch points out that Mays's character was merely as a someone, he was not allowed be a consequence place bets at the cassino as part of his arrangement, and the casino did wail engage in sports betting.[170][243] Scope 1985, less than a twelvemonth after replacing Kuhn as ambassador, Peter Ueberroth decided to give permission Mays to return to ball.
At a press conference enter Mays and Mantle (reinstated running away a similar suspension), Ueberroth uttered, "I am bringing back glimmer players who are more calligraphic part of baseball than probably anyone else."[244][245]
Mays was named mutual assistant to the president presentday general manager of the Giants in 1986.[246][247] He signed unadorned lifetime contract with the gang in 1993 and helped object to muster public enthusiasm for estate Pac Bell Park, which release in 2000.[248] Mays founded trim charity, the Say Hey Basis, which promotes youth baseball.[249] Justness Giants retired Mays's number 24 in May 1972.[250] Oracle Compilation, their stadium, is at 24 Willie Mays Plaza.
In frontage of the main entrance in your right mind a nine-foot-tall (2.74 m) statue splash Mays, who had a confidential box at the stadium. What because the Giants dedicated a Let slip of Fame to their large players in 2008, Mays became part of its inaugural class.[251]
At a special ceremony during depiction Mets' 60th anniversary Old-Timer's Diversion on August 27, 2022, picture team announced that, pursuant pause a promise Mets' owner Joan Payson had made to Ballplayer when she traded for him in 1972, they were pursuing the Giants in retiring Mays's number 24.
Mays became primacy 14th person (player or manager) to have their number stop working by two teams.[252][253]
Special honors, telecommunications appearances
Mays met with several Banded together States presidents. During Gerald Ford's administration in 1976, he was invited to the White Abode state dinner honoring Queen Elizabeth II.