Did the greatest ball player ever just leave us?

Absolutely top 5. RIP to one of the greatest sports stars in the history of sports. 93 years is one helluva ride.


Mays was the sport’s consummate “five-tool” talent — he could hit for a high batting average, blast home runs, gallop around the bases, catch the ball and throw it with authority.

He recorded a .301 career batting average, slugged 660 home runs, banged out 3,293 hits, amassed 1,909 runs batted in and scored 2,068 runs.

Mays’ prowess with the bat was only matched by his ability to catch any baseball hit in his zip code.

He recorded 7,112 putouts as an outfielder, topping other legends such as Tris Speaker (6,788) and Rickey Henderson (6,468). Mays also won 12 Gold Glove awards, tied for the most by an outfielder with Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Mays was called up to the big leagues in 1951 and made an immediate impact — winning the National League’s Rookie of the Year award for his pennant-winning Giants.

After losing all of the 1953 campaign serving in the Korean War, Mays didn’t miss a beat in 1954.

He was that season’s National League Most Valuable Player and led the Giants to the title.
 
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He was going to appear in Birmingham this week for tomorrow's MLB game, Giants v Cardinals, at Rickwood field as a tribute to the Negro League and Willie. It was announced at least a few days ago the Willie was not able to attend but his son was. RIP and thanks for everything!
 
batchaps4me said:
He was going to appear in Birmingham this week for tomorrow's MLB game, Giants v Cardinals, at Rickwood field as a tribute to the Negro League and Willie. It was announced at least a few days ago the Willie was not able to attend but his son was. RIP and thanks for everything!
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Sad he missed it, or maybe he will be watching it from afar.
 
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