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Timeline of Willie Mays’ career

Associated Press

Tags: U.S. news, Sports
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FILE - San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays displays the four baseballs in the clubhouse representing the four homers which he hit against the Milwaukee Braves, April 30, 1961, in Milwaukee. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - San Francisco Giants center fielder Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants is shown in 1966. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - New York Giants' Willie Mays poses for a photo during baseball spring training in 1972. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - Baseball great Willie Mays smiles prior to a game between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Aug. 19, 2016. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
FILE - New York Giants center fielder Willie Mays leaps high to snare a ball near the outfield fence at the Giants' Phoenix spring training base, Feb. 29, 1956. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - New York Giants' Willie Mays makes a catch of a ball hit by Cleveland Indians' Vic Wertz in Game 1 of the 1954 baseball World Series in New York's Polo Grounds on Sept. 29, 1954. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - New York Mets' Willie Mays poses on May 12, 1972 in New York. 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. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had "passed away peacefully" Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones.(AP Photo/Harry Harris, File)
FILE - Willie Mays, who spent the majority of his career as a center fielder with the New York and San Francisco Giants, smiles as President Barack Obama honors the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants baseball team, July 29, 2013, in Washington. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE - New York Giants center fielder Willie Mays signs autographs at an exhibition baseball game in Oakland, Calif., in March 1952. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo/File)

AP1961

FILE - San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays displays the four baseballs in the clubhouse representing the four homers which he hit against the Milwaukee Braves, April 30, 1961, in Milwaukee. Mays, the electrifying Say Hey Kid whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseballs greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo, File)

A timeline of Willie Mays’ career:

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

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1948 — Joins Birmingham Black Barons of Negro leagues.

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

1951 (May 25) — Major league debut.

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

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

1951 — National League Rookie of the Year.

1952-53 — Serves in U.S. Army.

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

1954 — National League MVP.

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

1963 (Feb. 20) — Signs record contract of $105,000 for season.

1963 (July 2) — Hits 16th-inning home run off Spahn in Giants’ 1-0 victory over Braves.

1965 (Sept. 13) — 500th homer, off Houston’s Don Nottebart.

1965 — National League MVP.

1969 (Sept. 22) — 600th homer, off San Diego’s Mike Corkins.

1970 (July 18) — 3,000th hit, off Montreal’s Mike Wegener.

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

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

1973 (Aug. 17) — 660th and last home run, off Cincinnati’s Don Gullett.

1973 (Sept. 20) — Says he will retire after season.

1973 (Oct. 14) — Final hit, off Oakland’s Rollie Fingers, Game 2 of World Series.

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

1979 — Banned from game by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn for holding casino job while still involved in baseball.

1985 — Reinstated by Commissioner Peter Ueberroth.

2015 — Presented Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2024 (June 18) — Dies at age 93.

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