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Hall of Famer Willie Mays is a former Major League baseball player, and one of the best center fielders to ever play the game.
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Fast Facts:
- Born: May 6, 1931
- Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama
- 1979: Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame
- Nickname: The "Say Hey" Kid
5. Tied for the all time Major league RECORD of most ALL-STAR games played in(24).
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Early Life and Career
A black man born in severely segregated Alabama in 1931, Mays began his baseball career playing with the Chattanooga Choo-Choos and the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, before signing with the New York Giants in 1950. Soon, Mays was tearing up the minor leagues, and made his debut with the Giants in 1951, winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award, and competed in the 1951 World Series against the New York Yankees. In 1952 and 1953, Mays was drafted into the U.S. Army and he missed nearly all of both seasons. -
1954
Upon his return from service in 1954, Mays wasted no time in establishing himself as the best hitting and fielding centerfielder in the game. He finished his offensive campaign with 41 homers, driving in 110, and hitting .345 with a 119 runs, 13 triples, 33 doubles for a phenomenal .667 slugging percentage to pick up the N.L. MVP. After the first half of the season, in which he played in his first of 24 All-star games, the Giant's manager Leo Durocher</a> advised Mays to concentrate on getting base hits for the rest of the season, which gives you a good perspective of Willie's power-hitting capibilities. In game 1 of the Giant's 1954 World Series victory, he made an over-the-shoulder catch near the warning track at New York's "Polo Grounds field." "The Catch", as it is referred to today, is considered by many to be the best defensive play ever made in WORLD SERIES history. The entire play sequence involved, happened so fast that the fans didn't completely realize what was going on until the ball was had already been thrown back to keep Larry Doby at third, after he had tagged at second. -
Career
Mays followed the Giants when they moved to San Francisco in 1958, and continued to excel. Most of his last two seasons, in 1972 and 1973, were spent playing for the New York Mets. Mays finished his career with 660 home runs, currently fourth on the all-time list behind Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth. Many experts feel he would have surpassed Babe Ruth's career total before Hank Aaron had he not served in the Army in 1952 and 1953. He led the National League in home runs four times, triples three times, won the Most Valuable Player Award again in 1965, and competed in 24 All-Star Games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. -
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Managed Since: 06/29/2009
Views: 54
Money Earned: M$0.27
Page revenue is subject to change as we obtain data from our partners
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The Mahalo Top 7
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Baseball-Reference.com: Willie Mays Statistics
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ESPN.com: Mays brought joy to baseball
espn.go.com -
National Baseball Hall of Fame: Willie Mays
baseballhalloffame.org -
SFGate.com: Mays at 75: Say Hey Kid has lots of fond memories, few regrets
sfgate.com (May 03, 2006) -
Wikipedia: Willie Mays
en.wikipedia.org -
Salon People: Inside baseball with Willie Mays
salon.com (July 13, 1999) -
ESPN.com: Willie Mays
sports.espn.go.com
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Baseball-Reference.com: Willie Mays Statistics
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Willie Mays on Twitter Powered by Twitter
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ken griffey jr. is 30 homeruns away from tying willie mays for 4th all-time on the homerun list
@menudo_man | November 11, 2009 11:36 PM -
RT BrieNasty @AsStayFresh u heard @brienasty + @sugabutta 's new shit?<willie mays check it out www.myspace.com/iamshugz>
@SugaButta | November 11, 2009 07:15 PM -
Griffey reaches 1 year deal with the M's! Also, he is 5th all time with 630HR 30 behind Willie Mays. from @Matt_Vance
@jamesrls2 | November 11, 2009 05:32 PM -
@matthewstaylor They should replace him with Willie Mays Hayes.
@tonythaxton | November 11, 2009 05:23 PM -
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Willie Mays on Amazon | View All
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McFarlane Toys MLB Cooperstown Collection Series 2 Action Figure Willie Mays - $52.99
WILLIE MAYS! If there are five "tools" in baseball then Willie Mays must have been a carpenter. The Giants' star outfielder excelled in all facets of the game -- hitting for power and average, stealing bases, fielding and throwing with bri...
Amazon -
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Willie Mays & Mickey Mantle B&W 8x10 Photo - $5.95
Show support for your favorite celebrity or athlete with a high quality photo! This 8x10 will look great displayed in any fan's home or office. Many other photos available, including movie stills, actors & actresses, musicians, athletes, an...
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Willie Mays San Francisco Giants Framed 16x20 Photograph with Descriptive Plate - $145.00
The famous "The Catch" 16x20 photo is personally hand signed by Willie Mays. It comes double matted in team colors and framed in a wooden frame. Officially Licensed and authenticated by Major League Baseball. Comes with a certificate of aut...
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Say Hey: The Autobiography of Willie Mays: Say Hey: The Autobiography of Willie Mays - $4.50
From the Negro Leagues to the National League to the Hall of Fame, here is the story of one of the all-time greats. Mays recalls his childhood in rural Alabama, his early playing career, and his life as a star rookie in the glory days of Ne...
Amazon
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Questions and Answers About Willie Mays | View All | Ask a Question
View All Willie Mays Questions (1402) | Ask a QuestionWhere did Bruce Willis and Emma Heming get married? (3 Answers)According to People magazine, Willis and Heming were married at Willis' home in Parrot Cay, Turks &amp; Caicos. read moreWhat is your favorite Willy DeVille song? (3 Answers)My favorite is "Still I Love You Still" the lyrics are beautiful and the music is just real !thanks for this question it's nice that others were touched by him ... read moreWas Perez Hilton wrong for linking to photos of Tallulah Willis? (3 Answers)It definitely seems out of line for Perez Hilton to comment on Tallulah Willis – she’s 15! Making reference to the anatomy of a 15 year old is just not ... read moreWas Willie Mays Aikens released from prison? Why was he in prison to begin with? (1 Answer)Yes he was and he was in prison for distributing crack cocaine, bribery, and illegal possession of a firearm. http://www.alternativehealthjournal.com/article/willie_mays_aiken_released_from_prison/3307 read more
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Willie Mays Vital Stats
- Mahalo's Guide to the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets
- Baseball-Reference.com : Career Stats
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 180
- Rookie Year: 1951
- Retired: 1973
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