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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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Willie Mays Questions
Where did Bruce Willis and Emma Heming get married? 3 AnswersAccording to People magazine, Willis and Heming were married at Willis' home in Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos. read more
What is your favorite Willy DeVille song? 3 AnswersMy 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 more
Was Perez Hilton wrong for linking to photos of Tallulah Willis? 3 AnswersIt 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 good fo... read more
Was Willie Mays Aikens released from prison? Why was he in prison to begin with? 1 AnswerYes he was and he was in prison for distributing crack cocaine, bribery, and illegal possession of a firearm. http://www.alternativehealthjournal.com/article/w... 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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On Twitter Powered by Twitter
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@dj_verse lol (Willie Mays Voice> DJ VRS AT RIX LOUNGE!
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Very cool! Congrats. RT @DSpxp What a thrill Thur 19Nov getting pix w/Willie Mays in SF. My all-time fave player. http://twitpic.com/qg2sj
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What a thrill Thur 19Nov getting pix w/Willie Mays in SF. My all-time fave player. http://twitpic.com/qg2sj
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@DianaPodolsky Hope ur Stanford team wins! Getting the pix w/Willie Mays was special. Felt like I wad 10-yrs old again!
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Dang I'm trippin. 4got 2 tell yall I met a legend b4 our game. Meet The Willie Mays. Dat was such an honor. Living legend. Go Giants!!!
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