Willie Mays: The Father Of Baseball

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Willie Mays once said, “In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won’t be able to do this.” Willie Mays that gave all that he had and took criticism because he was black. He would always show up to the games to support his team even if he was benched.
Willie Mays was born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama. His mother was Ann and his father was William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mays were athletic. Mr. Mays played baseball on the all-black teams of the south, as did his father before him. Mrs. Mays had been a champion sprinter when she was in school (Academy of Achievement).
When he …show more content…

When his arm healed, it was very strong. Before his arm was broken he threw underhanded, now he is throwing the ball overhand and his throws were faster, stronger, and more accurate.
Willie and his family moved to Birmingham, Alabama. He played baseball with his father on the Industrial League. He also played for The Birmingham Black Barons, one of the top Negro Leagues. (pg.3 Sabin, …show more content…

He was on fire and had a batting average of .300. He leads the Giants to the World Series against the Cleveland Indians. The Giants won the Series in four games in row, the first of which turned on an extraordinary over-the-shoulder catch by Mays. Although this is still one of the most talked-about plays in baseball history, the personal favorite of Mays himself is an incredible flying catch he made in the 1955 All-Star game. August 8, 1954 was Willie Mays Day. He earned the National League MVP Award (pg. 88 Doeden, Matt). Mays enjoyed young children, he wanted to visit hospitals, school for the blind, just meeting kids and he drove a couple of kids to the ballpark in his Cadillac convertible. Mays always received a lot of fan letters. How said “you can’t tell the difference between a kid and a grownup writing to you” because the mail from grownups comes in when you are doing well. When you’re in a slump it’s the kids who really pick you up (pg.370 Hirsch, James

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