Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The passing of MLB legend Willie Mays on June 18, 2024 rocked the baseball world with many people and organizations taking the time to reflect on what he meant to the game.
The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants is one of the best and most historic in all of sports, dating all the way back to their roots as New York franchises. As a result, the Dodgers became extremely acquainted with Mays and his greatness as a ballplayer.
Mays played more than two seasons worth of games (383) against the Dodgers in his career. In that time he hit 98 home runs, which is the most he had against any opposing franchise and the most by a single player against the Dodgers in history.
Mays even captured the attention Dodgers’ Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully who was enamored by Mays’ ability on the baseball diamond. Scully even remarked that Mays was “the greatest player he ever called” and “his favorite player, even though you wore the wrong uniform.”
The Dodgers will honor Mays ahead of the series opener against the Giants on Monday, July 22, with his son Michael Mays in attendance.
“As beautiful as the outpouring of love for my father has been, frankly, I’m not surprised,” Michael Mays said. “But for his team’s forever rival to make it their business to pay tribute to him may be the greatest testament of all to his impact.”
The legacy of Willie Mays
Mays began his career in the Negro Leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948 and was a member of the Giants’ organization for a vast majority of his MLB career. Over his 23 seasons in the Majors, he built a truly legendary Hall of Fame career.
He won the NL Rookie of the Year award (1951), was a World Series champion (1954), two-time National League MVP, 12-time Gold Glove winner, Roberto Clemente Award winner (1971), four-time home run leader and stolen base leader, and was named to the All-Star team 24 times.
He accomplished all this while missing about 275 games for the Giants due to military service during the Korean War. He ended his career with 3,293 hits, 660 home runs and 1,909 RBI.
His number 24 is retired with the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets, whom he was traded to in 1972.
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