A Tribute to Hall of Famer Willie Mays

By Gary Livacari

“What can I say about Willie Mays after I say he’s the greatest player any of us has ever seen?...If he could cook, I’d marry him!” –Leo Durocher, speaking of Willie Mays

We May Never See His Likeness Again...

The entire baseball world was saddened last month to learn of the passing of Willie Mays, age 93, surrounded by family and loved ones. Those of us who cut our baseball teeth in the 1950s and were fortunate enough to see him play at the height of his skills will never forget him, with his signature basket catch forever etched into our minds. Seventy years ago, his over-the-shoulder catch of a long drive off the bat of Vic Wertz in the 1954 World Series remains one of baseball's most memorable defensive gems.

The superlatives seem to come easily in any discussion of Willie Mays, arguably the greatest ballplayer of all time. Few in the history of the game have combined the grace, athleticism, intelligence, and accomplishments of Willie Mays. The “Say-Hey Kid” was unique, combining all of baseball’s key offensive and defensive skills into the quintessential five-tool player, with four pennants and a World Series championship on his resume. On top of all that, he combined an infectious glee with a boyish enthusiasm that lifted the spirits of all around him. Cap-flying, wall-crashing, legs churning, Willie Mays is one of the most beloved figures in the game's history.

Large Willie Mays Topps baseball card on display outside the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to promote MLB at Rickwood Field on June 20.Photo byWikimedia Commons

Willie’s Great Career

Willie Howard Mays was so athletically advanced by age 14 that he was competing with the men on his father’s steel mill team. He played semipro ball at age 16 and was on the Birmingham Black Barons by 1947. He was one of the last players – and likely the best – to come from the Negro Leagues. Over his 22 years in the majors (1951-1973), Willie hit .301 with 3,293 hits (12th all-time), 2068 runs (seventh all-time), 1909 RBIs (11th all-time), 660 home runs (fourth all-time), .557 slugging percentage, career .384 on-base percentage, and 338 stolen bases. Willie hit over 35 homers in 10 seasons, 40 homers six times, 50 home runs twice, and won five slugging crowns. He’s among the few players with 300 steals and 500 home runs. His defensive skills won him 12 Gold Gloves (the award wasn’t even started until he was six years into his career).

Willie Mays is one of only five National League players with eight consecutive 100 RBI seasons. In addition, he won four stolen base and three triples titles, six top-three finishes in National League batting races (including the 1954 title), and he played in a whopping 24 All-Star games, tied for the most ever. He won two MVP Awards, the 1951 Rookie of the Year award, and was a two-time All-Star game MVP. His lifetime total of 7,095 outfield putouts remains the major league record.

Leo and Willie

In 1950, the Giants signed him and sent him to the minors. In 1951 he was batting .477 with the Minneapolis Millers when he got the call to go up to the Giants. Leo Durocher, the Giants’ irascible manager, demanded Mays be promoted after the Giants’ 6-20 start in 1951. Probably Durocher’s most lasting contribution to baseball was acting as a mentor and "father-figure" to a frightened and home-sick Willie Mays. I always love to recall the wonderful scene in the Giants’ clubhouse after rookie Willie Mays got off to his disastrous 0-12 start (which eventually extended to 1-26). Giants’ coach Freddie Fitzsimmons saw Willie sitting alone in front of his locker crying. “Leo,” Franks said, “I think you better have a talk with your boy over there.”

Leo went over to Willie and asked him, “What’s the matter, son?” Willie turned to his manager and with tears streaming down his cheeks replied, “I don’t belong up here…I can’t play here…I can’t help you Missa’ Leo. Send me back to the minors.” Leo smiled, patted Willie on the back, and simply said:

“Look son, I brought you up here to do one thing. That’s to play center field. You’re the best center fielder I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around a long time. As long as I’m here, you’re going to play center field. Tomorrow, next week, next month. As long as Leo Durocher is manager of this team you will be on this club because you’re the best ballplayer I’ve ever seen.”

The rest, as they say, is history. On his 13th at-bat, Willie hit a homer over the left-field fence off Warren Spahn who later joked, “I’ll never forgive myself. We might have gotten rid of Willie Mays."

Was Willie the Greatest Ever?

When Willie retired, he held records for games, putouts, and chances for center fielders. His career statistics and longevity in the pre-PED era have led to a growing opinion that Mays was possibly the greatest all-around baseball player in the history of the game. In 1970, the Sporting News named Willie as the 1960s Player of the Decade. In 1999, he placed second on The Sporting News’s List of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, behind only Babe Ruth. Willie was a near-unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. His number 24 has been retired by the Giants.

RIP, Willie. We've been privileged to have you among us. Those of us old enough to have seen you play are forever grateful. And, no, we may never see your likeness again...

Gary Livacari is a long-time SABR member and is the administrator/editor of the Baseball History Comes Alive website. His fifth baseball book, White Washing the Black Sox, is now available on Amazon.