Legendary baseball player Willie Mays made history in 1965 by hitting 52 home runs, joining the ranks of baseball greats like Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Ralph Kiner, and Mickey Mantle as the only players at that time to have hit at least 50 home runs in a single season more than once. Mays continued to break records, surpassing the National League record for home runs set by former Giant Mel Ott in 1966.
As Mays approached age 40, he was still capable of outstanding play, but he had changed. Described as more withdrawn and suspicious, Mays faced personal and professional challenges, including a painful divorce. In 1972, with the Giants’ attendance declining, team owner Horace Stoneham traded Mays to the Mets for a minor league pitcher, providing him with financial security.
Despite a slow start with the Mets, Mays made a memorable debut with a game-winning home run in front of a crowd of 35,000 at Shea Stadium. However, at 41 years old, Mays’ skills began to decline due to injuries, leading to his retirement in 1973.
Willie Mays’ legacy as one of the greatest baseball players of all time remains intact, with his remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport forever etched in history.