Willie Howard Mays, commonly and famously known as The Say Hey Kid, is an American former professional baseball center fielder who played for the New York Giants for 22 seasons. Many aspiring baseball players all over the world look up to the baseball veteran as a role model. The legend’s Major League Baseball career is extremely unique and inspiring.
| Life & Career |
Mays was born in Alabama, near Fairfield, in year 1931. This is a former largely black industry town. Mays’ father, Cat Mays, was a fantastic baseball player for the local iron plant’s Negro team. His mother, Annie Satterwhite, on the other hand, was a talented basketball player and track star in high school.
His parents were never married, and when he was three years old, they divorced. Mays was raised by his father, who was awakened at the steel mills. Mays attended Fairfield High School and graduated in year 1950.
Mays began his professional baseball career while still in high school, when he spent the summer with the Chattanooga ChooChoos in Tennessee. Later, he joined the Negro American League’s Birmingham Barons. In tenth school, he drew the attention of Piper Davis, the Black Baron’s manager.
Davis taught Mays how to hit the curveball and gave him a chance to play with the Barons after a few years. Several scouts were dispatched to check on Mays throughout the next few years. Many scouts wanted to sign Mays, but he chose to sign with the New York Giants for $4,000 instead.
Mays had a lot of success in the minor leagues. He performed admirably in all of his games, attracting the attention of numerous spectators. He did, however, confront some obstacles; some of his employment choices were based on his skin tone, which was not ideal for a young athlete.
Mays’ major league career got off to a shaky start. When he went hitless in his first 12 at bats. He did, however, hit a scouring home run in his 13th at bat.
Mays, on the other hand, began to be more consistent with his hits, which helped him become a hit. Mays led the Giants to a series victory, which took them another 56 years to achieve. Mays retired from the New York Mets in year 1973 after a stellar 22 year career.
| Personal Life & Relationships |
Mays was married twice during his lifetime. In year 1956, he married Marguerite Wendell for the first time. In year 1959, the couple adopted a son named Michael, however, they separated in year 1963.
His wife stayed with their kid for the majority of the time. Mays then married Mae Louise in year 1971 and they were married until Mae’s death in year 2013 from Alzheimer’s disease.
| Net Worth |
Mays has a net worth of $4 million dollars approximately. Mays is one of the best baseball players in history, and his story is one of the most inspiring. Many young baseball players look up to Mays as a role model. His incredible legacy will be remembered for a long time.