Willie Mays

Willie Mays is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, Mays began his professional career in the Negro Leagues before joining the New York Giants in 1951. He quickly established himself as a talented center fielder, known for his exceptional defensive skills and powerful hitting. Mays was a five-tool player, exceling in hitting, fielding, throwing, running, and hitting with power. Throughout his 22-year career, Mays played for the Giants, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants, earning numerous accolades, including three World Series championships, two MVP awards, and 12 Gold Glove Awards. He was a 24-time All-Star and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. Mays' impressive career statistics include 660 home runs, 1,903 RBIs, and a.302 batting average. His iconic plays, including "The Catch" in the 1954 World Series, have become ingrained in baseball lore, cementing his status as a legend of the game.