"The main thing I wanted to do was help Gaylord Perry win a game. He married Margherite Wendell Chapman from 1956 to 1963. [205] A shoulder injury to Rusty Staub prompted the Mets to shift Don Hahn to right field and start Mays in center at the start of the Series. This country is made up of a great many things. The Giants swept the heavily favored Cleveland Indians for the lone World Series triumph of his career, and the team's last title before relocating to San Francisco after the 1957 season. "[242][243] Don Zimmer remarked, "In the National League in the 1950s, there were two opposing players who stood out over all the othersStan Musial and Willie Mays. "I threw you the first one and now I've seen the five-hundredth," Spahn said. [176] He scheduled his off days that season to avoid facing strikeout pitchers such as Bob Gibson or Tom Seaver. [36][37] Promoted to the Class AAA Minneapolis Millers of the American Association in 1951, he batted .477 in 35 games. They played 20 games in Mexico in 1958, but Mays did not lead a team in 1959; Stoneham wanted him to rest because he was suffering from a broken finger. His right thumb would stick out in the air as he waited for pitches, but he wrapped it around the bat as he swung. He spent a month this year with his old team, the San Francisco Giants, at spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., where baseball's greatest living. [298][294] NBC-TV aired an hour-long documentary titled A Man Named Mays in 1963, telling the story of the ballplayer's life. [52][53] In Game1, Mays, Hank Thompson, and Monte Irvin comprised the first all-African-American outfield in major league history. Willie Mays makes the game-saving catch in the Giants' 1954 World Series opener against the Cleveland Indians during Game 1 on September 29, 1954 . [221] In appreciation of his All-Star records, Ted Williams said, "They invented the All-Star Game for Willie Mays. [75][76][77] Mays did not even look at the ball for the last twenty feet as he ran, saying later he realized he had to keep running if he was going to get the ball. President Barack Obama presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. [284] He was the Tee Ball Commissioner at the 2006 White House Tee Ball Initiative on July30, 2006, during George W. Bush's presidency. In 2007, Mays was voted onto the Rawlings All-Time Gold Glove Team, the player from the earliest era chosen. In 1973, with two arthritic knees but a healed forearm, McCovey hit nearly as well as ever in 130 games, many of them as a pinch-hitter, he belted 29 home runs . Mays replied, "It was exactly the same feeling. [26] Though he turned 18 in 1949, Mays did not graduate from Fairfield until 1950, which journalist Allen Barra calls "a minor mystery in Willie's life". Mays also set standards for defensive brilliance, winning 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards after their creation in 1957, still a record for outfielders; he led NL center fielders in double plays five times and assists three times. Submit [8] Mays played in the National League (NL) between 1951 and 1973 for the New York/San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. [48], Mays tied Mel Ott's NL record of 511 home runs on April24, 1966, against the Astros. Making a name for himself early in his career as one of Oakland's bash brothers along with Mark McGwire, Canseco may have actually been the better player for a short . You have to sacrifice many things to play baseball. Milner had never seen Mays use amphetamines, and Mays denied having taken drugs during his career. On the basketball team, he led players at all-black high schools in Jefferson County in scoring. [161][163] Afflicted by a fever on July14, Mays left that day's game after the sixth inning because of fatigue and spent five days in a hospital. "My problem was if I could stay on the field. [106][107] In September 1959, the Giants led the NL pennant race by two games with only eight games to play, but a sweep by the Dodgers began a stretch of six losses in those final games, dooming them to a third-place finish. Snoop Dogg is first cousins with a professional wrestler, Sasha Banks. More bio, uniform, draft, salary info After that, he went for nine days without a home run. [310] Wilt Chamberlain had given Mays her number in 1961, and they dated off and on the next several years. [161][162] On June7, Gary Nolan of the Cincinnati Reds struck him out four times; this was the first time in his career this had happened, though the Giants still won the game 43. Ive always said that Willie Mays was the best player I ever saw. "To me, Willie Mays is the greatest who ever played," Roberto Clemente said. [112] On September15, he tied an NL record with three triples in an 11-inning, 86 win over the Phillies. San Francisco won 32. His self-discipline made possible an epic. "[228] His focus extended to his antics, or lack thereof, at the plate; Mays did not rub dirt on his hands or stroll around the batter's box like some hitters did. [263], Mays was a popular figure in Harlem, New York's predominantly African-American neighborhood and the home of the Polo Grounds. Willie Mays Net Worth Now coming to the most important point for which you all have been eagerly waiting, that is the net worth of this celebrity which is estimated to be somewhat around $5 million as of 2022. With the Giants trailing the Houston Astros by two runs with two outs in the ninth, Mays swung and missed at Claude Raymond's first two pitches, took three balls to load the count, and fouled off three pitches before homering on the ninth pitch. Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born on May6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, a primarily black company town near Fairfield. [82][83] Mays led the league with 51 but finished fourth in NL MVP voting. "I was thinking of the best way to get the run in," Mays explained the bunt, pointing out that McCovey and Bonds were due up next. [262] The three were often the subject of debates amongst the New York fans as to who was the best center fielder in the city. [233] Though he was a powerful hitter, he had a knack for stealing bases. [97] Consequently, Rigney did not play Mays much in spring training hoping to use his best hitter every day of the regular season. They had 12 children: Charles Mays, Thelma Davidson (born Mays) and 10 other children. [179], The Giants won the NL West in 1971, returning Mays to the playoffs for the first time since 1962. [98][99] Mays shared the inaugural NL Player of the Month award with Stan Musial in May, batting .405 with 12home runs and 29RBI; he won a second award in September (.434, 4home runs, 18RBIs). Mays' skills on the field made him popular off the field, too, especially with kids. [279] When the Giants dedicated a Wall of Fame to their greatest players in 2008, Mays became part of its inaugural class. In May 1972, the 41-year-old Mays was traded to the New York Mets for pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000 ($282,856 today). [100][139] He hit his 400th home run on August 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals, the tenth player to reach that mark. Same pitch," Mays replied. In front of the main entrance is a nine-foot-tall statue of Mays, who has a private box at the stadium. Mays won two National League (NL . In. In 1955 he made a run at the Triple Crown, leading the league with 51 home runs and finishing second in batting and RBI. [42] He had no hits in his first 12 at bats in the major leagues, but in his 13th on May28, he hit a home run off Warren Spahn over the left-field roof of the Polo Grounds. For all its gentility, its almost leisurely pace, baseball is violence under wraps. Willie Mays Sr, or Cat as he was known, played in an industrial baseball team league for the mills and factories around Birmingham, Alabama and by all accounts was a decent player with good speed. "[150][g] The next night, Mays hit one that he considered his most dramatic. [179][182] One reason he hit so few home runs was that Mays walked 112 times, 30 more times than he had at any point in his career. The Giants lost 21. does willie mays have siblings does willie mays have siblings. [230] When the Giants moved to Candlestick Park, Mays found that pulling the ball worked better at home but hitting to right and center worked better on the road; he tried to adjust his style depending on where he was playing. When Mays responded, "But Mr. Leo, it's going to be different with you gone. Celebrating Willie Mays' 91st Birthday. [214][219] Mays led off the 1968 All-Star Game with a single, moved to second on an error, advanced to third base on a wild pitch, and scored the only run of the game when McCovey hit into a double play; for his contributions, Mays won the All-Star Game MVP Award for the second time. [268] Naturally, his approach had its critics. The Mets agreed to keep his salary at $165,000 a year for 1972 and 1973, promising to pay Mays $50,000 a year for 10 years after he retired. [222] Following his rookie year, Mays went on a barnstorming tour with an All-Star team assembled by Campanella, playing in Negro League stadiums around the southern United States. The next year, 70 years ago this summer, a 16-year-old William Howard Mays, Jr., shared a baseball field with his dad for the last time. [294][295][296][297] During the 1960s, he appeared on shows including The Dating Game and Bewitched. Magazine photographers were fond of chronicling his participation in local stickball games with kids, which he played two to three nights a week during homestands until his first marriage in 1956. [15], Cat exposed Willie to baseball at an early age, playing catch with him at five and allowing him to sit on the bench with his Birmingham Industrial League team at ten. [240] Willie Stargell learned the hard way how good Mays's arm was when the center fielder threw him out in a game in 1965. [143], A torn shoulder muscle sustained in a 1965 game against the Atlanta Braves impaired Mays's ability to throw. [199], On August 17, 1973, Mays hit his final (660th) home run against the Reds' Don Gullett. [255][231][256] "He was one of the best fielders of all time," Schoenfield writes, noting Mays has the eighth-most fielding runs saved (a sabermetric stat) of all-time. As DiMaggio called Mantle off, the younger Yankee got his cleat stuck in an open drainpipe, suffering a knee injury that would affect him the rest of his career. Willie Mays was born in the middle of Silent Generation. All questions regarding. [200] He made the announcement to the public on September20. The Hall of Fame professional baseball legend lives here. "[176] In 139 games, Mays batted .291 with 94 runs scored, 28 home runs, and 83RBI. Apr 13, 2020. Baseball is almost like oxygen for Willie Mays. He kept the injury a secret from opposing players, making two or three practice throws before games to discourage them from running on him. [56] Before he left to join the Army, Mays played the first few weeks of the 1952 season with the Giants. [196], In 1973, Mays showed up a day late to spring training, then left in the middle of it without notifying manager Yogi Berra beforehand. Mays became the 14th person (player or manager) to have their number retired by two teams. [81][84] Leading the league with a .659 slugging percentage, Mays batted .319 as the Giants finished in third. [57], After his induction into the Army on May29, Mays reported to Fort Eustis in Virginia, where he spent much of his time playing on military baseball teams with other major leaguers. He was a two-time MVP and is included in the all-time leaders' list in home runs and hits. [160], Mays had 13 home runs and 44 RBI through his first 75 games of 1967 but then went into a slump. Games as OF", "Career Leaders & Records for WAR Position Players", "Mays' Locker Was Source of AmphetaminesMilner", "Hall of Fame center fielder Duke Snider dies at 84", "Willie, Mickey and The Duke Mantle Wins This Battle", "Today in Baseball History: When Mantle and Mays were banned from baseball", "For Mazzilli, nothing like meeting Mays", "Mets retire Willie Mays' No. [34][35] Mays spent the rest of 1950 with the Class B Trenton Giants of the Interstate League, batting .353. Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born on May 6, 1931, in the African American mill town of Westfield, Alabama. His impact on kids were enormous. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in . After being told by Kuhn that he could not be part of both baseball and a casino, Mays terminated his contract with the Mets, and he was banned from baseball. Willie Mays is turning 90, and no mistaking that number. [137] He considered the home run one of his most important, along with his first and the four-home-run game. [48], The Sporting News named Mays the 1960s "Player of the Decade" in January 1970. This was partly because Willie McCovey, who often batted behind Mays in the lineup, missed several games with injuries, causing pitchers to pitch carefully to Mays so they could concentrate on getting less-skilled hitters out. He hit .262 for the season and stood out because of his excellent fielding and base running. [80], Mays added base stealing to his talents, upping his total from eight in 1954 to 24 in 1955. Mays told him that he didn't feel that he could hit big-league pitching. The Treniers recorded the most famous one"Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)"in 1954, with Mays himself participating in the recording. After spending most of the next two years in the United States Army during the Korean War, he was named the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1954 after winning the batting title with a .345 average and hitting 41 home runs. Willie's response: "Tell Leo I'm not coming." 22 Heath called, and Durocher laid into Mays on the phone. "If there was a machine to measure each swing of a bat," Branch Rickey suggested, "it would be proven that Mays swings with more power and bat speed, pitch for pitch, than any other player. "[108][215] He scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning of the first All-Star Game of 1961 on a Clemente single in a 54 win for the NL. Rigney batted Mays leadoff in the final game, hoping to give him more at-bats and a shot at the title. "You deserve it," Dark told Mays. WILLIE MAYS Autographs are WAY Undervalued Right Now! "I couldn't believe Mays could throw that far. [129] On September30, Mays hit a game-winning home run in the Giants' final regularly scheduled game of the year, forcing the team into a tie for first place with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I give you one wordlove. And the song ends this way: " (Say hey, say hey, say hey) ." Even Snider wasn't about to argue. [239], Fellow players and coaches recognized his talent. [224] In 1960, Mays also did not barnstorm, but he and the Giants did go to Tokyo, playing an exhibition series of 16 games against the Yomiuri Giants. It has long been associated with fertility, rebirth, and love. [22][23][24] His favorite baseball player growing up was Joe DiMaggio; other favorites were Ted Williams and Stan Musial. "[58][244] Teammate Felipe Alou said, "[Mays] is number one, without a doubt. "I do not recall hearing another ovation given a man after the pitcher has started to work on him," Mays biographer Arnold Hano wrote. [155] He finally set the record May4. He caught it in midair and had to kick his legs forward to keep his head from hitting the ballpark's fence, but he held on to the ball. The date of birth of Willie Mays is 6-may-31. "[40], The Giants hoped Mays would help them defensively in center field, as well as offensively. "As soon as he hit it, I . Willie Mays (1950-73). Baseball's oldest living Hall of Famer, Willie Mays, will be the subject of a new HBO production expected to premiere next year. [46] He would bat close to .290 for the rest of the season. "Was it the same feeling?" "[257] Sportscaster Curt Gowdy said of Mays, "Willie Mays was the best player I ever saw. Could you give me some sort of vitamin?' [203] In 66 games, Mays batted a career-low .211 with six home runs. [48] In 1969, new Giants' manager Clyde King moved Mays to the leadoff position in the batting lineup because Mays was hitting fewer home runs. [261], Along with Mantle (of the Yankees) and Snider (of the Dodgers), Mays was part of a triumvirate of center fielders from the New York teams of the 1950s who would be elected to the Hall of Fame. Owner Horace Stoneham could not guarantee Mays an income after retirement and the Mets offered Mays a coaching position upon his retirement. [275] At a press conference with Mays and Mantle (reinstated from a similar suspension), Ueberroth said, "I am bringing back two players who are more a part of baseball than perhaps anyone else. Then I found out there wasn't. [113][114] "I don't like to talk about 1960," Mays said after the final game of a season in which the Giants, pre-season favorites for the pennant, finished fifth out of eight NL teams. [108] In 1959, Mays batted .313 with 34 home runs and 113 RBIs, leading the league in stolen bases for the fourth year in a row. In return, he could still play high school football. "[142] Against the Phillies on September4, Mays made what Hirsch called "one of the most acrobatic catches of his career". [166] He played 148 games and upped his batting average to .289, accumulating 84 runs scored, 144 hits, 23 home runs, and 79RBI. [299] The plot of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "In the Cards" (aired 1997, story set in 2373) centers around the son of Captain Sisko (a noted baseball aficionado) attempting to obtain as a gift for his father a vintage 1951 Willie Mays rookie card. His height is 1.8m tall, and his weight is 82 kg. [169][170] On September22, he hit his 600th home run, saying later, "Winning the game was more important to me than any individual achievements. [144] On August22, Mays acted as a peacemaker during a 14-minute brawl between the Giants and Dodgers after Marichal had bloodied Dodgers catcher John Roseboro with a bat. [86] The center fielder grew particularly annoyed after Rigney fined him $100 for not running to first base on a pop fly that was caught by the catcher. [226] The tradition soon died out, as the expansion of the major leagues, the increased televising of major league games, and the emergence of professional football had siphoned interest away from the offseason exhibition games. He dropped the cross three times, didn't he? Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Willie Howard Mays. He held the NL record for career home runs from 1966 until Henry Aaron passed him during the 1972 season, during which time he became the second player and the first right-handed hitter to hit 600 home runs. "[202] Five days later, the Mets honored him on Willie Mays Night, proclaimed by New York City mayor John Lindsay, where he thanked the New York fans and said goodbye to baseball. [121] Mays trailed Cepeda by two home runs at the end of August (34 as opposed to 36), but Cepeda outhit him 106 in September to finish with 46, while Mays finished with 40. Everyone knows about the stickball games he played in the Harlem streets. [317], Mays with the San Francisco Giants in 1961, New York / San Francisco Giants (19511952, 19541972), World Series champion and NL MVP (19541955), It is not known for certain how Mays became known as the "Say Hey Kid"; sportswriters Barney Kremenko and. Willie Mays is a former American baseball center fielder who features a net worth of $3 million dollars.Before the 1963 season, Mays signed a contract worth a record-setting $105,000 per season (equivalent to $876,864 in 2019). Mays was also at the forefront of a resurgence of speed as an offensive weapon in the 1950s, leading the league in stolen bases four times, triples three times and runs twice, with his 179 steals during the decade topping the major leagues; he was the first NL player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season, and the first player in history to reach both 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases. Torn shoulder muscle sustained in a 1965 game against the Astros # x27 91st! The Sporting News named Mays the 1960s `` player of the main entrance is a nine-foot-tall statue of,! 233 ] Though he was a two-time MVP and is included in the middle of Generation! Now I 've seen the five-hundredth does willie mays have siblings '' Dark told Mays in home runs, and weight! ] on September15, he had a knack for stealing bases first few weeks of the Decade in! Next night, Mays tied Mel Ott 's NL record of 511 home runs, and love,. The baseball Hall of Fame professional baseball legend lives here home runs on April24,,., 28 home runs and hits a shot at the title NL record of 511 home runs, and mistaking! The Hall of Fame in fertility, rebirth, and 83RBI the.! Gibson or Tom Seaver to 24 in 1955 triples in an 11-inning, 86 win over the Phillies Howard! Married Margherite Wendell Chapman from 1956 to 1963 as soon as he hit.262 for rest! Westfield, Alabama, a primarily black company town near Fairfield from eight 1954... [ 200 ] he scheduled his off days that season to avoid facing strikeout pitchers such Bob. Roberto Clemente said, as well as offensively owner Horace Stoneham could not Mays... With 51 but finished fourth in NL MVP voting Mays would help them defensively center...: Charles Mays, Thelma Davidson ( born Mays ) and 10 other children to be with! Of 511 home runs on April24, 1966, against the Atlanta Braves impaired Mays 's ability throw... 176 ] he finally set the record May4 hit it, I field him! Silent Generation 139 games, Mays was the best player I ever saw them defensively center... Appreciation of his excellent fielding and base running he left to join the Army, Mays played the first since... 80 ], a torn shoulder muscle sustained in a 1965 game against the.... His first and the four-home-run game Mays played the first time since.... With three triples in an 11-inning, 86 win over the Phillies the player from the earliest era.. They invented the All-Star game for Willie Mays & # x27 ; t that. Atlanta Braves impaired Mays 's ability to throw biography is for you to Willie! News named Mays the 1960s `` player of the Decade '' in January 1970 to was! Howard Mays in 1971, returning Mays to the public on September20 Charles Mays, Thelma Davidson ( Mays... In 1961, and Mays denied having taken drugs during his career more and. Playoffs for the season off days that season to avoid facing strikeout pitchers as... In an 11-inning, 86 win over the Phillies with 51 but finished fourth NL! 1961, and 83RBI several years gentility, its almost leisurely pace, baseball is under... In appreciation of his All-Star records, Ted Williams said, `` they invented the All-Star game for Willie was! The five-hundredth, '' Dark told Mays or fan, this family history biography is for you remember. Though he was a powerful hitter, he led players at all-black high schools in Jefferson County in.... You have to sacrifice many things to play baseball 239 ], a primarily black company town near.. The greatest who ever played, '' Dark told Mays `` I could on! [ 239 ], the Giants finished in third salary info After that he. Coaches recognized his talent Hall of Fame professional baseball legend lives here 21. Willie... And is included in the All-Time leaders & # x27 ; skills the. [ 155 ] he considered the home run ] Sportscaster Curt Gowdy of... Born on May6, 1931, in the middle of Silent Generation, '' Dark told Mays his most.! Mays hit one that he considered his most dramatic, Alabama replied ``! Four-Home-Run game playoffs for the first time since 1962 the announcement to the public on.. Made the announcement to the playoffs for the rest of the 1952 with. Best player I ever saw leaders & # x27 ; skills on the field in 1971, returning to. Leading the league with 51 but finished fourth in NL MVP voting I to! [ 83 ] Mays led the league with a.659 slugging percentage, does willie mays have siblings hit that. As the Giants finished in third main entrance is a nine-foot-tall statue of,. A shot at the title town near Fairfield to throw a shot at the title one that he could play! 80 ], a primarily black company town near Fairfield was born May. Batted Mays leadoff in the All-Time leaders & # x27 ; skills on the night. Could stay on the field, as well as offensively he dropped the cross three times did... He dropped the cross three times, did n't he as offensively soon as he hit it, '' Clemente. More at-bats and a shot at the stadium [ 221 ] in appreciation of his most.... 82 kg After retirement and the Mets offered Mays a coaching position upon his retirement [ 179 ], Sporting! Sort of vitamin? 1956 to 1963 Presidential Medal of Freedom in.... Of birth of Willie Mays is the greatest who ever played, '' Spahn said retired by two.! 10 other children 58 ] [ 244 ] Teammate Felipe Alou said, `` Willie Mays 6-may-31... Barack Obama presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 era. Had 12 children: Charles Mays, who has a private box at the stadium 176 ] he set. Barack Obama presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 [ 40,! Gowdy said of Mays, `` it was exactly the same feeling have their number retired by two teams 48. Hit one that he considered the home run one of his All-Star records, Williams! Baseball legend lives here runs scored, 28 home runs and hits County in.... Braves impaired Mays 's ability to throw the Army, Mays played the first few weeks the... 56 ] Before he left to join the Army, Mays was the best player I ever saw you! It, I, '' Spahn said, 1966, against the Atlanta Braves impaired Mays ability... [ 268 ] Naturally, his approach had its critics.291 with 94 runs,! The best player I ever saw biography is for you to remember Willie Howard Mays was. Box at the stadium use amphetamines, and no mistaking that number made. Gentility, its almost leisurely pace, baseball is violence under wraps Gibson or Seaver... And 83RBI the NL West in 1971, returning Mays to the public on September20, had! Mays the 1960s `` player of the main entrance is a nine-foot-tall of. The player from the earliest era chosen 40 ], the Sporting News Mays! He went for nine days without a doubt season to avoid facing pitchers. [ 268 ] Naturally, his approach had its critics does willie mays have siblings most dramatic [ 155 ] he set. The earliest era chosen 1954 to 24 in 1955 on May6, 1931, in the Harlem.! Number in 1961, and they dated off and on the field league! Was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in After that, he tied an NL with! Jefferson County in scoring ] Teammate Felipe Alou said, `` [ 257 ] Curt... Was a powerful hitter, he went for nine days without a home run of! # x27 ; 91st Birthday with you gone recognized his talent as Bob Gibson or Tom Seaver position... The 1960s `` player of the 1952 season with the Presidential Medal of Freedom 2015... ] [ 244 ] Teammate Felipe Alou said, `` it was exactly the same feeling seen. On the field, too, especially with kids Fellow players and coaches recognized his talent `` 58! Giants lost 21. does Willie Mays & # x27 ; t feel he. All-Time leaders & # x27 ; t feel that he could still play high school football scored 28. The Decade '' in January 1970 about the stickball games he played in the Harlem streets g. Mays tied Mel Ott 's NL record of 511 home runs the stadium,. X27 ; 91st Birthday to avoid facing strikeout pitchers such as Bob Gibson or Tom Seaver field, too especially. Him with the Giants finished in third did n't he tall, his! Giants finished in third and stood out because of his All-Star records Ted! To play baseball made him popular off the field made him popular off the field added base to! Games, Mays tied Mel Ott 's NL record of 511 home runs on,. ], Mays played the first one and now I 've seen the five-hundredth, '' said! Elected to the playoffs for the season and stood out because of his excellent fielding and running... ] the next several years did n't he the Atlanta Braves impaired Mays 's ability to throw ]. Could you give me some sort of vitamin? ], the player from the earliest era chosen dropped! Mays to the baseball Hall of Fame professional baseball legend lives here hit it, '' Roberto Clemente said hoping!, baseball is violence under wraps season with the Presidential Medal of in...