Willie Mays
Willie Mays (Willie Howard Mays Jr.) was born on May 6th, 1931. Willie passed away June 18th, 2024 at 93 years old. Willie Mays was born in Westfield, Alabama, USA.
Willie Mays, nicknamed
the Say Hey Kid, was an American professional baseball center fielder. He played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) and fascinated his fans for more than twenty years with his amazing defensive skills and powerful bat. He began his career in the Negro leagues in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons. From 1950 onward, he played in the National League for the New York Giants and the New York Mets.
Willie Mays is considered one of the greatest players of all time and a five-tool player. He is celebrated for his all-around game and was selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. In 1951, he won Rookie of the Year after hitting 20 home runs and helping the Giants secure their first pennant in 14 years. In 1954, Willie was awarded the Most Valuable Player award, bringing the Giants their World Series title before they moved to the West Coast.
Selected to serve in the U.S. Army in the 1952 season, Mays kept improving his skills on a military team in Virginia. He returned to MLB in 1954 and won the National League MVP honors. In 1956, Mays won his first of four consecutive stolen base titles.
After retiring as a player, Mays remained in the New York Mets organization as their instructor until the 1979 season. He founded a charity named the Say Hey Foundation that promotes youth baseball. He died on June 18, 2024, aged 93 years.
In his book,
24, Willie Mays shares life stories and lessons from playing baseball. He provides inspiration and influences that guided him inside and outside the field, highlighting the challenges he faced in his career. It’s the story of a man who values family and community as he engages in charity events involving children. He follows a philosophy that encourages hard work and the attainment of objectives.
He has also written his autobiography titled
Say Hey. The legendary player discusses his big plays, memorable teammates, and opponents while also highlighting his personal life and days in the Negro Leagues. The autobiography provides a detailed year-by-year summary of his MLB career and offers insightful opinions about his different managers and agencies. Willie Mays gives an inspiring look into the baseball game, packed with history for sports fans.
His other book,
Born to Play Ball, shows how he has been cheered enthusiastically both in and out of the ball fields where he played. Named as the greatest natural player of all time, Willie captivates fans of all ages with his life story and offers tips on the battles he fought to win games in his long and successful career. The book conveys the excitement of the game with raw details.
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Willie Mays: F.A.Q
When was Willie Mays Born?
Willie Mays was born on May 6th, 1931.
When did Willie Mays die?
Willie Mays died on June 18th, 2024 at 93 years old.
Where was Willie Mays Born?
Willie Mays was born in Westfield, Alabama, USA.
What was the first book Willie Mays wrote?
The first book written by Willie Mays was Born to Play Ball, published in 1955.
What was the most recent book Willie Mays wrote?
His most recently released work was 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid on May 12th, 2020.
How many books has Willie Mays written?
Willie Mays has written 3 books. All of his books are Non-Fiction Books.