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Remembering Willie Mays

June 21, 2024

Willie Howard Mays, Jr., will always have a special place in our hearts for the magnificence he brought to America’s pastime and for his admirable self-confidence and strength of character. Mays’ dynamic play captivated fans and left even his fiercest rivals in awe. His 660 career home runs, 12 Golden Gloves, Rookie of the Year Award, double MVP title, 24-time All-Star standing and first-ballot Hall of Fame induction signify what an incredible offensive and defensive threat he was.

Said JRF board member and former National League President Leonard S. Coleman, Jr., “Willie of course was a phenomenal athlete. What also stood out for me was the passion he had for the game. He played baseball out of pure joy and was among the most exciting players to watch. He was a powerhouse in every aspect of the game and a man of character and good will. He will surely be missed.”

Jackie Robinson said of the ‘Say Hey Kid’, “[He is] the finest player in baseball. No one can play with that kid. He does everything well.” Robinson once lamented publicly that Mays was not a Brooklyn Dodger.

While Mays and Robinson would never become teammates, through the years they became and remained friends. Robinson was incensed in 1957 when Mays was unable to purchase a home in a white neighborhood in San Fransisco, treatment Robinson had experienced himself and about which he spoke publicly regarding Mays’ experience. And Mays was an honored guest at Robinson’s funeral in 1972.

Ever a man of grace and humility and a perpetual all-star in every way, the magnificent Willie Mays will indeed live forever in our hearts.

We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and many other loved ones of Willie Mays.

In the Locker Room

(Original Caption) With a "Oh, it was nothing" expression, Willie Mays, (R), fleet, young outfielder of the New York Giants, accepts the congratulations of Brooklyn Dodger veteran Jackie Robinson, (L), after the Giants whipped Brooklyn 7-1, to enter the World Series against the Cleveland Indians. The September 20th victory which came at Ebbet's Field, was the scene of great jubilations on the part of the Giants, although Robinson and Mays, in the dressing room, appear to have escaped the bedlam for a few seconds.

Legends of the Game

Pee Wee Reese, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson talk between innings, Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, September 9, 1951.

Rachel Robinson and Willie Mays

Baseball great Willie Mays, and Mrs. Jackie Robinson, widow of the baseball star, are shown together on March 14, 1974 prior to induction ceremonies at the first annual Black Athlete Hall of Fame dinner in New York City. Both Mrs. Rachel Robinson’s husband and Mays were among the thirty athletes inducted into the black athletes hall of fame later in the evening. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)

MLB 1977 All Star Game

Rachel Robinson tosses out ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 19, 1977. Game is dedicated to former great Jackie Robinson. Others are, clockwise, left to right, Willie Mays, commissioner of Baseball Bowie Kuhn, Branch Rickey III, Mack Robinson (Jackie's brother), Mrs. Robinson, daughter Sharon, Roy Campanella and Pee Wee Reese. (AP Photo)