Perhaps the most iconic figure in baseball history could be Babe Ruth, Henry Aaron, Barry Bonds, Josh Gibson, or Oscar Charleston. Traditionalists might vouch for Ty Cobb or Honus Wagner. Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Trout, or Mickey Mantle also had the potential until injuries thwarted their careers. If Ted Williams hadn’t missed five seasons due to war, he might have been considered the greatest hitter ever.
However, criticisms can be made against these players—maybe they didn’t play center field, lacked in throwing ability, or their peak was too short. Yet, Willie Mays stands without reproach.
Actress Tallulah Bankhead once quipped, “There have been only two authentic geniuses in the world: Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare.” Even Ted Williams acknowledged, “They invented the All-Star Game for Willie Mays,” and Mays played in 24 of them.
Joe Posnanski humorously proposed “The Willie Mays Hall of Fame,” joking that if Mays set the bar, it would have only one member.
Mays’ prowess extended to every facet of the game. In 1971, at 40 years old, he tied for the National League lead in baserunning runs. His fielding was legendary, epitomized by his gravity-defying catch in the 1954 World Series, a moment etched in baseball lore and supported by his 12 Gold Gloves.
Not just a defensive marvel, Mays was an offensive force. Despite pitching-dominated years like the 1960s, he boasted a .301 lifetime batting average and nearly 3,300 career hits. His 660 home runs underscore his power, leading his league in home runs four times.
Ranked among the top players in history, ESPN placed Mays second only to Babe Ruth, while Bill James ranked him third, and Posnanski placed him first. His impact transcended statistics; modern analytics might have awarded him more than the two MVPs he won in 1954 and 1965.
In today’s metrics-driven era, Mays’ statistical dominance would likely have garnered more MVP accolades. For instance, in 1955, despite leading in WAR, Mays finished fourth in the MVP voting behind Roy Campanella. Similarly, in 1962, despite a WAR of 10.5, he narrowly missed out to Maury Wills, a decision now criticized for overlooking Mays’ overall contributions.
Reflecting on Mays’ career, he arguably deserved more than the two MVPs he received. His consistency, defensive brilliance, and offensive firepower make a compelling case that extends beyond mere statistics.
Willie Mays wasn’t just a player; he was a baseball genius whose impact on the game remains unparalleled, even decades after his retirement.