Willie Mays, the Charismatic 'Say Hey Kid' of Baseball, Passes Away at 93: A Legendary Career and Personal Life

Westfield, Alabama, Alabama, USA United States of America
Born in Westfield, Alabama, Mays started playing for the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948.
Career stats: 660 home runs, 3,293 hits, .301 batting average.
Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Known for exuberant style of play and effervescent personality.
Mays played for both the New York and San Francisco Giants and a brief stint with the New York Mets.
Willie Mays, baseball legend and Hall of Famer, passed away at age 93.
Willie Mays, the Charismatic 'Say Hey Kid' of Baseball, Passes Away at 93: A Legendary Career and Personal Life

Baseball legend Willie Mays, known as the 'Say Hey Kid', has passed away at the age of 93. Mays was a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and played for both the New York and San Francisco Giants, as well as a brief stint with the New York Mets.

Mays is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in baseball history, known for his exceptional skill in all aspects of the game. He had 660 career home runs, 3,293 hits, and a .301 career batting average.

Born on May 6, 1931 in Westfield, Alabama, Mays was raised by his father William Howard 'Cat' Mays Sr., two aunts Sarah and Ernestine, and mother Annie Satterwhite. He started playing for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League in 1948 before being purchased by the Giants in 1950.

Mays had a successful career with the Giants, earning Rookie of the Year award in 1951 and winning two National League MVP awards. He was traded to the Mets in 1972, where he played for one season before retiring.

Throughout his career, Mays was known for his exuberant style of play and effervescent personality, making him one of the game's most charismatic figures. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 and is survived by his son Michael.

Mays' impact on the game of baseball cannot be overstated. His combination of power, speed, and defense made him one of the greatest all-around players in history. He will be deeply missed by fans and colleagues alike.



Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

100%

  • Unique Points
    • Willie Mays died at the age of 93.
    • Mays is the oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • He played 22 seasons in the National League for the Giants and a brief return to New York with the Mets.
    • Mays had 660 career home runs, 3,293 hits, and a .301 career batting average.
    • His exuberant style of play and effervescent personality made him one of the game’s most charismatic figures.
    • Charles M. Schulz mentioned Mays in his ‘Peanuts’ comic strip.
    • Woody Allen ranked Mays No. 2 on his list of joys that made life worthwhile.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

  • Unique Points
    • ]The impact Willie Mays spent time with Carlos Mendoza in Giants organization in 1998[
    • Mendoza didn't know much about Mays growing up but came to understand his greatness
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

  • Unique Points
    • Willie Mays is the oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • 'Everyone must do his own job in his own way.' - Willie Mays responding to criticism from Jackie Robinson in HBO documentary 'Say Hey, Willie Mays!'
    • Born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama.
    • Raised by father William Howard 'Cat' Mays Sr., two aunts Sarah and Ernestine, and mother Annie Satterwhite.
    • Started playing for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League in 1948.
    • Giants purchased his contract in 1950. Earned Rookie of the Year award in 1951 with 20 home runs.
    • Played for Giants until traded to New York Mets in 1972.
    • Retired with 24 All-Star awards, 3,283 hits, 660 home runs, two National League MVP awards and twelve consecutive Gold Glove Awards.
    • Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. Oldest living Hall of Famer when Tommy Lasorda died in 2021.
    • Giants retired his No. 24 jersey on May 12, 1972, and Mets repeated the same action on Aug. 27, 2023.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

  • Unique Points
    • Willie Mays is considered one of the greatest players of all time and the greatest center fielder ever.
    • He won the National League Most Valuable Player in 1954 and 1965, finishing in the top six 12 times throughout his career.
    • Mays made the All-Star team for 20 consecutive years.
    • He is considered to be the second-best all-around player in history, only behind Babe Ruth.
    • Mays led the league in home runs four times, had six 40-homer seasons and led the league in slugging five times.
    • He was also an excellent baserunner, stealing 338 bases and leading the league in stolen bases four seasons in a row.
    • Willie Mays won 12 Gold Gloves, most of any center fielder, and held numerous defensive records.
    • His signature basket catch is considered a phenomenon that has never been duplicated.
    • Willie Mays was part of the destructive twosome with Willie McCovey for most of the 1960s.
    • In 1954, Mays’ first full season, his team won the world championship.
    • Mays played a significant role in securing the Giants’ spot in their first World Series in San Francisco, although they ultimately lost to the Yankees.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • Willie Mays is the oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    • Mays had stints with the Mets and his No. 24 was retired by the team in 2022.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication