Willie Mays still has his sense of humor.
“It must be some kind of record for a 93-year-old,” Mays told CNN about his ten additional hits after Major League Baseball added the statistics of numerous Negro Leagues into its own records last week.
When the term “five-tool player” is uttered, many people of a certain age immediately think of the Say Hey Kid, who is regarded as one of the best players of all time. The Hall of Famer hit 660 home runs over 23 seasons, largely with the New York and San Francisco Giants.
Mays is also remembered for his spectacular over-the-shoulder catch of the Cleveland Indians Vic Wertz’s long drive in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series at the old Polo Grounds in New York.
Before playing in the majors, Mays played with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League as a teenager in 1948. His 10 hits with them now give Mays 3,293, 12th on the all-time list.
The 10 hits came in 43 at-bats in 13 games for a .233 average. He had two doubles and a triple with six RBI.
“I was still in high school,” Mays said in the statement. “Our school did not have a baseball team. I played football and basketball, but I loved baseball. So my dad let me play . . . but ONLY if I stayed in school. He wanted me to graduate. I played with the team on weekends until school was out for the summer.
“I thought that was IT; that was the top of the world. Man, I was so proud to play with those guys “
The New York Giants purchased Mays’ contract in 1950.
“I’m glad the guys who played are getting credit for their hits because those pitchers were good,” Mays said.
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