OR

wikipedia.org
06 May, 1931
18 Jun, 2024
Heart failure
American
Baseball Player
93
Willie Howard Mays Jr., born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, was an American baseball icon. Mays, known as “The Say Hey Kid,” had a career spanning more than two decades, cementing his place among baseball’s best. Mays came from a family with a powerful athletic background. His dad, Cat Mays, excelled at baseball; his mom, Annie Satterwhite, shone in basketball and track. At just 16, Mays joined the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League. Mays debuted in the Major Leagues in 1951 with the New York Giants, earning the National League Rookie of the Year award. Due to his outstanding performance, the Giants overcame a 13-game deficit to end the regular season tied with the Dodgers.
In 1954, Mays’ career soared as he topped the league with a .345 batting average. Also that year, he made history with “The Catch” in Game 1 of the World Series; an over-the-shoulder catch considered one of baseball’s greatest defensive plays.
Mays’ career was filled with many achievements and milestones.
24-time All-Star
Two-time National League MVP (1954 and 1965)
12 Gold Glove Awards
660 career home runs
3,283 career hits
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979
Mays’ impact reached further than just his statistical accomplishments. He was a groundbreaking African-American baseball superstar who inspired generations and overcame racial barriers. His exuberant, joyful approach to the game made him both a fan favorite and an example of sporting excellence.
In his later years, Mays remained active in baseball, serving as a special assistant to the San Francisco Giants. He passed away on June 18, 2024, at the age of 93, due to heart failure. The baseball world mourned his loss, with tributes from fans and fellow players pouring in. For generations to come, Willie Mays’s impact on baseball and popular culture will be felt due to his legacy as a complete player, pioneer, and American icon.
Willie Howard Mays Jr.
Willie Mays
Male
Heart failure
Westfield, Alabama, USA
Palo Alto, California, USA
Entrepreneur: Smart, energetic and very perceptive people, who truly enjoy living on the edge. Willie Mays was known for charisma, spontaneity, and living in the moment—traits reflected in his playful "Say Hey" nickname and dynamic play.
He played stickball with kids in Harlem streets during his early career.
He was banned from MLB from 1979–1985 for working with casinos.
His famous 1954 World Series catch, "The Catch," is considered one of baseball’s greatest defensive plays.
Mays hit 660 home runs, ranking 6th all-time as of 2024.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Received 12 Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence.
Won the 1954 World Series with the New York Giants.
Won the National League MVP Award in 1954 and 1965.