Willie Mays Career Timeline

FILE – Willie Mays of the New York Giants catches a ball hit by Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series of Baseball at the Polo Grounds in New York, September 29, 1954. Mays, the electrifying “ Say Hey Kid,” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93 years old. Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday evening, June 18, 2024, that he “passed away peacefully” Tuesday afternoon surrounded by his loved ones. (AP photo, file)

A timeline of Willie Mays’ career:

1931 (May 6) — Born in Westfield, Alabama.

1948 — Joins the Birmingham Black Barons of Negro Leagues.

1950 — Signs with the New York Giants for $4,000.

1951 (May 25) – Major league debut.

1951 (May 28) – First major league hit after an 0-for-12 start – a home run against Milwaukee’s Warren Spahn.

1951 (October 3) — In the on-deck circle when Bobby Thomson hits Shot Heard “Round the World.”

1951 — National League Rookie of the Year.

1952-53 — Serves in the U.S. Army.

1954 (September 29) — Famous over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of the World Series.

1954 — National League MVP.

1961 (April 30) — Hit four home runs against Milwaukee.

1963 (February 20) — Signs a record $105,000 contract for the season.

1963 (July 2) – Hits a 16th inning home run against Spahn in the Giants’ 1-0 win over the Braves.

1965 (September 13) – 500th homer, against Don Nottebart of Houston.

1965 — National League MVP.

1969 (September 22) – 600th home run, against Mike Corkins of San Diego.

1970 (July 18) — 3,000th hit, against Mike Wegener of Montreal.

1972 (May 11) — Traded to the New York Mets for minor league pitcher Charlie Williams and cash.

1973 (July 24) — 24th and final All-Star Game.

1973 (August 17) – 660th and final home run, against Don Gullett of Cincinnati.

1973 (September 20) — Said he will retire after season.

1973 (October 14) – Final blow, against Rollie Fingers of Oakland, game two of the World Series.

1979 — Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in first year of eligibility.

1979 — Banned from playing by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn for taking a job at a casino while still involved in baseball.

1985 — Reinstated by Commissioner Peter Ueberroth.

2015 — Presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2024 (June 18) — Dies at age 93.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB