Willie Mays, seen here of the New York Giants in 1955, had 660 career home runs and won 12 Golden Gloves in 23 major league seasons.
Willie Mays, seen here of the New York Giants in 1955, had 660 career home runs and won 12 Golden Gloves in 23 major league seasons.
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Mays as a 13-year-old.
Mays as a 13-year-old.
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Willie Mays holds a baseball bat in the clubhouse of the American minor league team Minneapolis Millers on May 19, 1951. Mays played a short stint with the team, then affiliated with the New York Giants.
Willie Mays holds a baseball bat in the clubhouse of the American minor league team Minneapolis Millers on May 19, 1951. Mays played a short stint with the team, then affiliated with the New York Giants.
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Mays gets his plane ticket to New York to join the New York Giants, in Omaha, Nebraska on May 24, 1951.
Mays gets his plane ticket to New York to join the New York Giants, in Omaha, Nebraska on May 24, 1951.
AP
From left: Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, and Hank Thompson hold bats on their shoulders in Yankee Stadium in 1951. The New York Giants trio made up the first all-Black outfield in World Series history. All three men were playing with the New York Giants in the World Series.
From left: Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, and Hank Thompson hold bats on their shoulders in Yankee Stadium in 1951. The New York Giants trio made up the first all-Black outfield in World Series history. All three men were playing with the New York Giants in the World Series.
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Mays is sworn into the US Army by Capt. William F. Donegan on May 19, 1952. One year into his Major League career, after having won the National League Rookie of The Year in 1951, Mays joined the Army. He served from 1952 to 1954.
Mays is sworn into the US Army by Capt. William F. Donegan on May 19, 1952. One year into his Major League career, after having won the National League Rookie of The Year in 1951, Mays joined the Army. He served from 1952 to 1954.
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Mays bids goodbye to his baseball shoes, while also holding his Army-issued boots, at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on May 29, 1952.
Mays bids goodbye to his baseball shoes, while also holding his Army-issued boots, at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on May 29, 1952.
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Mays, then a physical training instructor at Fort Eustis, Virginia, leads soldiers through a calisthenics session on February 19, 1953. At the time, Mays, then 21, was seeking a dependency discharge from the Army as the sole support for his mother and nine siblings.
Mays, then a physical training instructor at Fort Eustis, Virginia, leads soldiers through a calisthenics session on February 19, 1953. At the time, Mays, then 21, was seeking a dependency discharge from the Army as the sole support for his mother and nine siblings.
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Released from the Army after two years of service, Mays waves to an assembled crowd during a spring training session in Phoenix, Arizona on March 4, 1954.
Released from the Army after two years of service, Mays waves to an assembled crowd during a spring training session in Phoenix, Arizona on March 4, 1954.
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Mays plays stick ball with kids in New York's Harlem neighborhood in 1954.
Mays plays stick ball with kids in New York's Harlem neighborhood in 1954.
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Mays makes a leaping, one-handed catch off the Los Angeles Dodgers' Duke Snider on August 15, 1954.
Mays makes a leaping, one-handed catch off the Los Angeles Dodgers' Duke Snider on August 15, 1954.
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Jackie Robinson, left, congratulates Mays, after Mays' New York Giants beat Robinson's Brooklyn Dodgers 7-1, to make the World Series against the Cleveland Indians, on Septebmer 1, 1954.
Jackie Robinson, left, congratulates Mays, after Mays' New York Giants beat Robinson's Brooklyn Dodgers 7-1, to make the World Series against the Cleveland Indians, on Septebmer 1, 1954.
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Mays yells "Say hey!" before the second game of the 1954 World Series. Mays was known as "The Say Hey Kid" for the way he enthusiastically greeted others.
Mays yells "Say hey!" before the second game of the 1954 World Series. Mays was known as "The Say Hey Kid" for the way he enthusiastically greeted others.
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Sprinting toward the center-field wall, his back fully turned to the plate, Mays catches a ball over his shoulder during the first game of the 1954 World Series between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians, on September 29, 1954. Mays then fired the ball back into the infield, preventing two runners from scoring. The play is one of baseball's most celebrated feats.
Sprinting toward the center-field wall, his back fully turned to the plate, Mays catches a ball over his shoulder during the first game of the 1954 World Series between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians, on September 29, 1954. Mays then fired the ball back into the infield, preventing two runners from scoring. The play is one of baseball's most celebrated feats.
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Mays, right, gets batting tips from Joe DiMiaggio, at the 32nd annual dinner of the Baseball Writers at the Waldorf Astoria in 1955. Mays, the reigning National League MVP, won the Scribes' Sid Mercer Award as "Player of The Year."
Mays, right, gets batting tips from Joe DiMiaggio, at the 32nd annual dinner of the Baseball Writers at the Waldorf Astoria in 1955. Mays, the reigning National League MVP, won the Scribes' Sid Mercer Award as "Player of The Year."
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Margherite Wendell poses with Mays, hours after their wedding at her home in East Elmhurst, New York, on Feburary 14, 1956. The couple was married from 1956 until their divorce in 1963.
Margherite Wendell poses with Mays, hours after their wedding at her home in East Elmhurst, New York, on Feburary 14, 1956. The couple was married from 1956 until their divorce in 1963.
JR/AP
Mays, then of the San Francisco Giants, plays catch with 14-month-old Herbert Henderson, at the home of Henderson's parents, in San Francisco, California on November 14, 1957. Mays was staying with the Henderson's while house hunting.
Mays, then of the San Francisco Giants, plays catch with 14-month-old Herbert Henderson, at the home of Henderson's parents, in San Francisco, California on November 14, 1957. Mays was staying with the Henderson's while house hunting.
Ernest Bennett/AP
Mays gets a kiss from his dog Pepe while moving into their new San Francisco home on January 15, 1958.
Mays gets a kiss from his dog Pepe while moving into their new San Francisco home on January 15, 1958.
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Mays, seated at right, interacts with young fans while sitting with fellow San Francisco Giant Willie McCovey in the dugout of Candlestick Park in 1960.
Mays, seated at right, interacts with young fans while sitting with fellow San Francisco Giant Willie McCovey in the dugout of Candlestick Park in 1960.
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Mays shakes hands with television host Ed Sullivan as the pair talk about the All-Star Game and Mays' batting average on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
Mays shakes hands with television host Ed Sullivan as the pair talk about the All-Star Game and Mays' batting average on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
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Mays watches the ball he had just hit go over the left field fence at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, on April 24, 1966. The home run was May's 511th in his National League career and tied a record held by the late Mel Ott.
Mays watches the ball he had just hit go over the left field fence at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, on April 24, 1966. The home run was May's 511th in his National League career and tied a record held by the late Mel Ott.
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Mays with Atlanta Braves outfielder Hank Aaron on August 3, 1969.
Mays with Atlanta Braves outfielder Hank Aaron on August 3, 1969.
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Mays cries after he is bid farewell by New York Mets' owner Joan Whitney Payson during a ceremony for Mays at Shea Stadium in New York City on September 26, 1973. After one year with the Mets, Mays retired from professional baseball.
Mays cries after he is bid farewell by New York Mets' owner Joan Whitney Payson during a ceremony for Mays at Shea Stadium in New York City on September 26, 1973. After one year with the Mets, Mays retired from professional baseball.
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Teammates douse Mays with champagne in their locker room at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, on October 1, 1973. The Mets had just defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-4 to take the National League East division championship.
Teammates douse Mays with champagne in their locker room at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, on October 1, 1973. The Mets had just defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-4 to take the National League East division championship.
AP
Mays waves to the crowd as the San Francisco Giants retire his No. 25 jersey, during Willie Mays Day before San Francisco's game against the New York Mets at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on August 20, 1983.
Mays waves to the crowd as the San Francisco Giants retire his No. 25 jersey, during Willie Mays Day before San Francisco's game against the New York Mets at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on August 20, 1983.
Paul Sakuma/AP
Mays throws out the last pitch, as former and current San Fransisco Giants players watch, at 3Com Park at Candlestick Point in San Francisco on September 30, 1999. The Giants were scheduled to move into their new stadium, Pacific Bell Park, the following spring.
Mays throws out the last pitch, as former and current San Fransisco Giants players watch, at 3Com Park at Candlestick Point in San Francisco on September 30, 1999. The Giants were scheduled to move into their new stadium, Pacific Bell Park, the following spring.
Monica M. Davey/AFP/Getty Images
Mays stands next to a statue of himself during its dedication by the San Francisco Giants, at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, in front of Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco on March 31, 2000.
Mays stands next to a statue of himself during its dedication by the San Francisco Giants, at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, in front of Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco on March 31, 2000.
John G. Mabanglo/AFP/Getty Images
San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds outfield, center, hugs Mays while Giants Hall of Famer Willie McCovey stands nearby, on April 17, 2001. Mays was Bonds' godfather. On the day of Mays' death, Bonds shared a post on Instagram, saying: "I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion. I have no words to describe what you mean to me -- you helped shape me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug for me. Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever."
San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds outfield, center, hugs Mays while Giants Hall of Famer Willie McCovey stands nearby, on April 17, 2001. Mays was Bonds' godfather. On the day of Mays' death, Bonds shared a post on Instagram, saying: "I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion. I have no words to describe what you mean to me -- you helped shape me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug for me. Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever."
John G. Mabanglo/AFP/Getty Images
From left: First lady Laura Bush, Mays and President George W. Bush watch "Tee Ball on the South Lawn" at the White House in Washington, DC on July 30, 2006. The game featured teams from Little League's Challenger Division, organized for mentally and physically disabled children.
From left: First lady Laura Bush, Mays and President George W. Bush watch "Tee Ball on the South Lawn" at the White House in Washington, DC on July 30, 2006. The game featured teams from Little League's Challenger Division, organized for mentally and physically disabled children.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Mays is honored prior to the 78th Major League Baseball All-Star Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on July 10, 2007.
Mays is honored prior to the 78th Major League Baseball All-Star Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on July 10, 2007.
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
President Barack Obama, left, speaks with Mays about Air Force One en route to the MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14, 2009.
President Barack Obama, left, speaks with Mays about Air Force One en route to the MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14, 2009.
Pete Souza/The White House/Getty Images
Mays waves to the crowd after he is given a birthday cake from San Francisco Giants announcer Jon Miller for Mays' 81st birthday at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on May 6, 2012.
Mays waves to the crowd after he is given a birthday cake from San Francisco Giants announcer Jon Miller for Mays' 81st birthday at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on May 6, 2012.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to Mays at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 24, 2015.
President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to Mays at the White House in Washington, DC, on November 24, 2015.
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Mays greets VIP attendees during the inauguration ceremony for Mayor London Breed on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco, California on July 11, 2018.
Mays greets VIP attendees during the inauguration ceremony for Mayor London Breed on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco, California on July 11, 2018.
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The Life of Baseball Giant Willie Mays, in pictures
CNN  — 

Here’s a look at the life of Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder Willie Mays.

Personal

Birth date: May 6, 1931

Death date: June 18, 2024

Birth place: Westfield, Alabama

Birth name: William Howard Mays Jr.

Father: William Mays

Mother: Ann (Satterwhite) Mays

Marriages: Mae Louise Allen (1971-2013, her death); Margherite Wendell Chapman (1956-1961, divorced)

Children: adopted with Margherite Wendell Chapman: Michael

Military Service: US Army, 1952-1954

Other Facts

Career statistics include 3,293 hits, 660 home runs and a batting average of .301.

At the time of his death, only five other players in baseball history had hit more home runs than Mays: Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez.

Won 12 consecutive Gold Gloves.

Played in 24 All-Star Games and four World Series.

Godfather to baseball player Barry Bonds.

His nickname was the “Say Hey Kid.”

Timeline

1948-1950 - Plays for the Birmingham Black Barons, part of the Negro League.

1950 - Signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent.

1951-1957 - Plays for the New York Giants.

1951 - Is named National League Rookie of The Year.

1952-1954 - Serves in the US Army.

1954 - During the World Series, Mays makes an over-the-shoulder catch that is considered one of the most memorable moments in baseball history.

1954 - National League Most Valuable Player (MVP).

1955, 1962, 1964, 1965 - Leads the National League in home runs.

1957 - Wins the first-ever Gold Glove for center field.

1958 - The New York Giants become the San Francisco Giants.

1958-1972 - Plays for the San Francisco Giants.

August 30, 1961 - Hits four home runs in one game.

1963 - MLB All-Star Game MVP.

1964 - Becomes the first Black team captain in the major leagues.

1965 - National League MVP.

1968 - MLB All-Star Game MVP.

1972 - Is traded to the New York Mets.

1972 - Mays’ No. 24 jersey is retired by the San Francisco Giants.

1972-1973 - Plays for the New York Mets.

1973-1979 - New York Mets hitting instructor.

1979 - Is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving 409 out of 432 votes.

1986 - Assistant to the president of the Giants Organization. The position is extended for his lifetime in 1993.

2000 - Founds the Say Hey Foundation, which serves underprivileged children.

March 31, 2000 - A 23-ton bronze statue of Mays is unveiled at the new Major League ballpark in San Francisco.

December 2007 - Is inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

November 24, 2015 - Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

September 29, 2017 - MLB announces that the World Series MVP Award will be renamed after Mays.

May 12, 2020 - “24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid” is published, co-authored by Mays and John Shea.

August 27, 2022 - The New York Mets retire Mays’ No. 24 jersey during an Old-Timers’ Day celebration at Citi Field, New York.

February 4, 2024 - The city of San Francisco and the Giants recognize 2/4/24 as “Willie Mays Day.”

June 5, 2024 - After MLB integrates Negro League statistics into its record books and Mays is credited with 10 more career hits five decades after his last game, he tells CNN that “it must be some kind of record for a 93-year-old.”

June 18, 2024 - Passes away at the age of 93.