The Greatest of All Time: Willie Mays
Willie Mays is one of the most iconic and beloved baseball players in the sport’s history. His incredible talent and achievements have solidified his place as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Many have argued for Babe Ruth, Henry Aaron, Barry Bonds, and others to be considered the greatest baseball player ever, but it is hard to find any faults in Mays’ case. He truly stands out among the rest.
Mays was not only a phenomenal hitter, but he excelled in all aspects of the game. He could run, field, throw, and hit with the best of them. He was a complete player who dominated the game from every angle. Mays was known for his speed and agility on the basepaths, as well as his amazing defense in center field.
He famously made one of the most iconic catches in baseball history during the 1954 World Series, and many believe it to be the greatest catch of all time. Mays also had an incredible throwing arm, making some of the most impressive and accurate throws from the outfield that the game had ever seen.
At the plate, Mays was no slouch either. He had a lifetime average of .301, a remarkable feat considering he played in the pitching-dominant 1960s. He also had 660 career home runs, which would have been even higher if he had not missed two full seasons while serving in the Army. Mays was also a ten-time All-Star, demonstrating his consistent excellence throughout his career.
Sports writer Joe Posnanski once joked about creating “The Willie Mays Hall of Fame” since Mays was such an exceptional player, that he would be the only member if he set the standards for induction. This shows not only the immense respect and admiration that fans have for him, but also the difficulty in finding any flaws in Mays’ game.
To put it simply, Mays was a genius on the baseball diamond. His innate abilities and impeccable skill set set him apart from other players. He was not only known for his greatness on the field, but his off-field presence and charisma also made him a fan favorite.
In 2007, ESPN ranked Mays as the second-greatest player of all time, just behind Babe Ruth. Bill James, a highly respected analyst, ranked him third (behind Ruth and Honus Wagner), while Joe Posnanski placed him at the top spot. These rankings only solidify Mays’ place as among the elite in the sport’s history.
One could argue that Mays’ impact actually makes him even greater than we believe. While he only won two MVP awards during his career, if we were to consider modern analytics and voting criteria, Mays may have won even more. Looking back on his career, we can see that he truly was head and shoulders above many of his contemporaries.
Ultimately, there is no denying that Willie Mays is, and always will be, a legend in the world of sports. His unparalleled talent, unmatched skills, and unforgettable presence on the field have solidified his place as one of the greatest to ever grace the game of baseball. As actress Tallulah Bankhead once said, “Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare” were the only two authentic geniuses in
