(born 1931). One of the finest all-around players in baseball history, Willie Mays was equally good at hitting for average, hitting with power, running, fielding, and throwing. He began his career as the era of racial segregation in baseball, when blacks were not allowed to play on major league teams, was ending. By the time he finished, more than 20 years later, he had guaranteed himself election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Early life

Willie Howard Mays was born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama. He first learned baseball from his father, who played for a semi-professional team. Willie himself was already earning money playing baseball by age 16. In 1948, when he was barely 17 and still in high school, he joined the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro National League. His position was center field. After the school year started he was allowed to play on Sundays only.

During this time racial barriers that had kept African Americans out of the major leagues in baseball were falling. In 1950 Mays signed a contract with the New York Giants of the National League. He played minor-league baseball until 1951, when he joined the New York team.

Career

Mays was named rookie of the year for 1951 and got to play in a World Series that year. After missing almost all of 1952 and 1953 due to Army service, he came back in 1954 and became a star. He led the league in hitting and helped his team to win the World Series with a spectacular catch that turned a sure triple into a double play. He went on to star for the Giants in New York and, from 1958 to 1972, in San Francisco. Mays led the league in home runs four times. He hit as many as 52 in one season. Combining speed with power, he also led the league in stolen bases four times. As a center fielder he won 12 Gold Glove awards.

Mays pleased crowds not only with his outstanding play, but also with his energy and enthusiasm. He was known as the “Say Hey Kid” for his call of “Say hey!” Mays would often lose his hat running after fly balls. His trademark “basket catch” was made with the glove held waist-high. Young fans who tried to imitate it very often dropped the ball.

Later life

In 1973 Willie Mays finished his career back in New York as a member of the Mets. At the time of his retirement his final total of 660 home runs was second only to Babe Ruth's 714. Mays played in 24 straight All-Star games. After his final season, he went to work as a special assistant for the San Francisco Giants. In 1979 Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.