WILLIE HOWARD MAYS, J R . 

"THE SAY HEY KID" 

NEW YORK N.L., SAN FRANCISCO N.L., 
NEW YORK N.L. 1951 - 1973 

ONE OF BASEBALL'S MOST COLORFUL AND EXCITING STARS. EXCELLED IN ALL PHASES OF THE GAME.

THIRD IN HOMERS (660), RUNS (2,062) 
AND TOTAL BASES (6,066); SEVENTH IN HITS 
(3,283) AND RBI'S (1,903). FIRST IN PUTOUTS 
BY OUTFIELDER (7,095). FIRST TO TOP BOTH 
300 HOMERS AND 300 STEALS.

LED LEAGUE IN  BATTING ONCE, SLUGGING FIVE TIMES,
HOME  RUNS AND STEALS FOUR SEASONS.

VOTED N.L. 

MVP IN 1954 AND 1965.

PLAYED IN 24 ALL-STAR GAMES - A RECORD.

The Minor Leaguer
“Willie Mays”

A story worth mentioning is one Joe Bracchitta told me about two years before he passed away in 2012. He called and said he was going to send me an old replica Giants hat, the one worn when he had played for the New York Giants organization. Joe then continued to tell me that in 1950 the Giants organization knew he was drafted and getting ready to go into service. Joe had been with the organization for almost six years by then and they respected his opinion. Carl Hubbell, the great Giants Hall of Fame pitcher, was a scout for the Giants at the time and he called Joe to see if he would take a ride with him to checkout this new minor league kid they had playing in Trenton New Jersey. Joe Bracchitta who was getting ready to go overseas in a short while said, “sure”. Joe Bracchitta said, “I drive to Trenton with Carl Hubbell who I knew from playing for the Giants and we are talking and he is telling me how great this kid is but wanted my opinion. Well, we get to the game and who is in centerfield but this kid who can do everything. I mean you only had to watch him play for five minutes to know he was great! I asked what’s his name and Carl Hubbell says, "Willie Mays”. Then Joseph Bracchitta went to Korea, where he received a Medal for Valor and
Willie Mays just continued to be, well, “Willie Mays”. Joe never could get past him to the majors and neither could anyone else who has ever played the game.

Let us never forget the soldiers sacrifice.       

Written by:
Bob Meli
October 6, 2015