Willie Mays, Baseball’s Electrifying Player of Power and Grace, Is Dead at 93

In 1965, Mays hit 52 home runs, becoming one of the few players to hit at least 50 in a single season more than once, alongside Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ralph Kiner, and Mantle. On May 4, 1966, Mays broke the National League record for home runs, surpassing the 511 set by former Giant player and manager Mel Ott.

Despite approaching the age of 40, Mays continued to display exceptional talent on the field, although he underwent personal changes as he grew older.

According to Leonard Koppett in “A Thinking Man’s Guide to Baseball” (1967), Mays became more withdrawn, suspicious, and cautious as he faced personal and professional complexities, including a painful divorce following his marriage and adoption of a child.

On May 11, 1972, due to declining attendance, Horace Stoneham, the Giants’ owner, traded Mays to the Mets for a minor league pitcher, Charlie Williams, providing Mays with financial security through a 10-year, $50,000 annual payment guaranteed by Joan Payson, the Mets’ president.

Despite a slow start with the Mets, Mays impressed fans with a game-winning home run in his first appearance with the team. However, at 41 years old, his performance began to decline due to various injuries, leading to his retirement announcement on Sept. 20, 1973.