Willie Mays
Willie Mays was an American baseball player widely considered among the greatest to play the game.
He spent most of his career with the Giants, first in New York, then San Francisco.
Famous for his all-around excellence—hitting, fielding, running, throwing—Mays made a legendary over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series.
His nickname was "the Say Hey Kid."
Best player award
- All-StarLeague exhibition branding
- Gold GloveBaseball fielding excellence award
- RBIsRuns credited to batter
- runs scoredTallied plate crossings
rookie of year · slugger · power hitter · clutch · longevity · statistics · records · milestones
Hidden condition or snag
- basket catchFielding at waist level
- warning trackDirt strip near outfield fence
- arm strengthMuscular force in limbs
- speedRate of motion
throwing · baserunning · stolen bases · agility · grace · instinct · reflexes · range
Field beyond bases
- gloveFitted hand covering
- defenseProtection against harm
- fly ballBatted ball aloft
- diving catchAirborne fielding snag
shoestring catch · range · arm · assists · putouts · fielding · positioning · instincts
Baseball museum's home village
- inductionFormal admission process
- plaqueInscribed memorial tablet
- enshrinementFormal preservation as sacred
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
bronze bust · immortal · shrine · legend · pantheon · exhibit · gallery · recognition
Northern California metropolis
- New YorkNortheastern metropolis and state
- Candlestick ParkHistoric San Francisco sports venue
- HarlemManhattan neighborhood, cultural landmark
- retired jerseyCommemoratively unworn team shirt
Widely recognized, enduring
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
civil rights era · beloved · ambassador · influence · mentor · statue · tributes · memorabilia
MVP
Best player award
- All-StarLeague exhibition branding
- Gold GloveBaseball fielding excellence award
- RBIsRuns credited to batter
runs scored · rookie of year · slugger · power hitter · clutch · longevity · statistics · records · milestones
The Catch
Hidden condition or snag
- basket catchFielding at waist level
- warning trackDirt strip near outfield fence
- arm strengthMuscular force in limbs
speed · throwing · baserunning · stolen bases · agility · grace · instinct · reflexes · range · raw talent
outfield
Field beyond bases
diving catch · shoestring catch · range · arm · assists · putouts · fielding · positioning · instincts · tracking
Cooperstown
Baseball museum's home village
- inductionFormal admission process
- plaqueInscribed memorial tablet
- enshrinementFormal preservation as sacred
ceremony · bronze bust · immortal · shrine · legend · pantheon · exhibit · gallery · recognition
San Francisco
Northern California metropolis
- New YorkNortheastern metropolis and state
- Candlestick ParkHistoric San Francisco sports venue
- HarlemManhattan neighborhood, cultural landmark
iconic
Widely recognized, enduring
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
trailblazer · civil rights era · beloved · ambassador · influence · mentor · statue · tributes · memorabilia · documentaries
- OutfieldersMike Trout, Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Hank Aaron
- Sports LegendsMichael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, Babe Ruth
- Baseball LegendsBabe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson
- Baseball HistoryBabe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb
- Bay Area Sports49ers, Giants, Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Steph Curry
- Black AthletesJackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Jesse Owens