Willie Mays: a life in pictures

Willie 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 aged 93

and agencies

Main image: San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays displays the four baseballs in the clubhouse representing the four homers which he hit against the Milwaukee Braves on 30 April 1961. Photograph: AP

  • Willie Mays, a 20-year-old centerfielder for the New York Giants, is shown during the Game 1 of the 1951 World Series against the Yankees. Catcher Yogi Berra of the Yanks watches the flight of the ball, as does Bill Summers, the umpire. The Giants, behind the pitching of Dave Koslo, whipped the Yanks in the first game of the Fall Classic, 5-1.
    Willie Mays, a 20-year-old centerfielder for the New York Giants, is shown during the Game 1 of the 1951 World Series against the Yankees. Catcher Yogi Berra of the Yanks watches the flight of the ball, as does Bill Summers, the umpire. The Giants, behind the fine hurling of Dave Koslo, whipped the Yanks in the first game of the Fall Classic, 5-1.

  • Willie Mays signs autographs at an exhibition baseball game in Oakland, California, in March 1952.
    Willie Mays signs autographs at an exhibition baseball game in Oakland, California, in March 1952.

  • Mays was a part of the first all-Black outfield in World Series history: Monte Irvin, Mays and Henry Thompson, all of the New York Giants.
    Mays was a part of the first all-Black outfield in World Series history: Monte Irvin, Mays and Henry Thompson, all of the New York Giants.

  • Willie Mays plays a game of stick ball with kids in Harlem.
    Mays plays a game of stick ball with kids in Harlem.

  • Mays missed most of 1952 and all of 1953 because of military service, quite possibly costing him the chance to overtake Ruth’s career home run record of 714, an honor that first went to Henry Aaron; then Mays’ godson, Barry Bonds.
    Mays missed most of 1952 and all of 1953 because of military service, quite possibly costing him the chance to overtake Ruth’s career home run record of 714, an honor that first went to Henry Aaron; then Mays’ godson, Barry Bonds.

  • Alvin Dark, left, and Mays, two strong men of the New York Giants, are shown in their triumphal chariot as they ride in the parade staged to honor the Giants for their feat in winning the National League pennant in 1954.
    Alvin Dark, left, and Mays, two strong men of the New York Giants, are shown in their triumphal chariot as they ride in the parade staged to honor the Giants for their feat in winning the National League pennant in 1954.

  • Mays makes ‘The Catch’ during the eighth inning of Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. Running with his back to the plate, Mays made the sensational one-handed catch up against the bleacher wall. He raced all the way back to the distant center field bleachers to take Vic Wertz’ long fly over his head. It saved at least two runs since first and second were occupied with nobody out. The Giants won, 5-2, in 10 innings of play.
    Mays makes ‘The Catch’ during the eighth inning of Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. Running with his back to the plate, Mays made the sensational one-handed catch up against the bleacher wall. He raced all the way back to the distant center field bleachers to take Vic Wertz’ long fly over his head. It saved at least two runs since first and second were occupied with nobody out. The Giants won, 5-2, in 10 innings of play.

  • Mays slides into home plate safely after he tripled and came in when outfielder, Roy Macmillan, of the New York Mets, dropped the outfield relay during the first inning of a 1964 game.
    Mays slides into home plate safely after he tripled and came in when outfielder, Roy Macmillan, of the New York Mets, dropped the outfield relay during the first inning of a 1964 game.

  • Mays watches the ball he just hit goes over the left field fence at the Astrodome in Houston. The homer was Mays’ 511th in his National League career and tied the record held by the late Mel Ott.
    Mays watches the ball he just hit goes over the left field fence at the Astrodome in Houston. The homer was Mays’ 511th in his National League career and tied the record held by the late Mel Ott.

  • The Giants’ Mays poses for a photo during baseball spring training in 1972.
    The Giants’ Mays poses for a photo during baseball spring training in 1972.

  • Mays poses with his godson, Barry Bonds, before the 1992 MLB All-Star Game at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California.
    Willie Mays poses with his godson, Barry Bonds, before the 1992 MLB All-Star Game at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California.

  • US president Barack Obama presents Mays with Presidential Medal of Freedom during at the White House in 2015.
    US president Barack Obama presents Mays with Presidential Medal of Freedom during at the White House in 2015.
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