Top 5 Unforgettable Willie Mays Games

Willie Mays, the celebrated centre fielder known as the ‘Say Hey Kid,’ passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93. 

Throughout his illustrious 22-year career, Mays transformed his vibrant imagination into a breathtaking reality, captivating baseball fans worldwide.

In a 2008 interview with MLB.com, Mays shared his unique preparation method: 

“I would go home at night and create what I was going to do the next day,” he said. 

“It might sound childish, but if I sensed we’d have a good crowd, I’d want to ensure they enjoyed the game. 

So, I’d watch some films alone, devise a plan to thrill them, and then execute it on the field.”

Willie Mays made one of the most famous plays in baseball history during the first game of the 1954 World Series. Playing for the New York Giants, the 23-year-old Mays was in center field at the Polo Grounds, where the outfield wall was a distant 483 feet away.

In a critical moment in the eighth inning, with the game tied and two runners on base, Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians hit a deep fly ball. It looked like the ball would easily clear Mays, who was playing close in.

Everyone thought it would be at least a triple, maybe even an inside-the-park home run. But then, Mays made an incredible over-the-shoulder catch, stopping any runs from scoring and keeping the game tied. This catch is not only famous for its difficulty but also for how important it was to the game.

5 Willie Mays Best Moment

1. An Optical Illusion” (Sept. 29, 1954): In only his second full season, Mays made a miraculous catch in the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, a play that many thought was impossible. 

His subsequent throw helped the Giants clinch a 5-2 victory, sweeping the series.

2. Cementing His Legacy (May 4, 1966): Mays earned undying admiration from San Francisco fans when he hit his 512th home run, breaking Mel Ott’s National League record at Candlestick Park.

3. Four-by-Four (April 30, 1961): Despite feeling under the weather, Mays hit four home runs in a single game, joining an elite group of players to achieve this feat.

4. Clutch Hitting Triptych of ’62, Part 1 (Sept. 30, 1962): Mays’ home run in the eighth inning against the Houston Colt .45s brought the Giants one step closer to the playoffs, a momentous achievement celebrated by fans and commentators alike.

5. Clutch Hitting Triptych of ’62, Part 2 (Oct. 3, 1962): In the dramatic finale against the Dodgers, Mays’ infield single ignited a ninth-inning rally that secured the Giants their first pennant on the West Coast.