Willie Mays stats: Revisiting baseball Hall of Famer's MLB career with Giants, Mets

Bryan Murphy

Willie Mays stats: Revisiting baseball Hall of Famer's MLB career with Giants, Mets image

The baseball world was struck with awful news on Tuesday night, as one of the greatest players to ever suit up on the diamond is no longer with us. 

Willie Mays, a 24-time All-Star and MLB Hall of Famer, died at the age of 93 on Tuesday. Mays passed away peacefully, according to the Giants, and there is no known cause of death yet. 

Mays was a sensation in the outfield over his 23 years in the league. He spent the majority of time with the Giants, first starting when the organization was located in New York before the team moved out west to San Francisco. After 21 years with the black and orange, he sported a new orange color for the last two years of his career, ending his playing days with the Mets.  

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There is an argument to be made that Mays is the greatest player to ever play the game. He was a sensational defender, known for his patented basket catches in deep center field. He also was a weapon with the bat, showcasing his power at the dish, and the basepaths, frequently flying around the diamond.

Here's more on Mays' career and the numbers behind it. 

MORE: Barry Bonds pays tribute to godfather Willie Mays

Willie Mays stats

Mays' career numbers speak for themselves. He was a perennial MVP candidate year in and year out, winning twice. He led the Giants to a World Series in 1954, topped the NL in home runs four times, and finished first in slugging percentage five times. He also led the league in batting once, stolen bases four times, triples three times, and runs twice. He hit over .300 and posted 100 RBIs 10 times each.

Mays ranked third in MLB history in home runs (660) when he retired, trailing Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth, and he has since been passed by Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, and his godson, Barry Bonds. He's also in the exclusive "3,000 hit club."

MORE: 'The Catch' among Willie Mays' best career highlights

Here is a look at Mays' complete stats during his Negro Leagues and MLB career. 

YearTeamGamesPAABRHHRRBISBBAOBPSLG
1948Birmingham Black Barons134843610061.233.313.326
1951New York Giants1215244645912720687.274.356.472
1952New York Giants3414412717304234.236.326.409
1954New York Giants151641565119195411108.345.411.667
1955New York Giants1526705801231855112724.319.400.557
1956New York Giants152651578101171368440.296.369.557
1957New York Giants152669585112195359738.333.407.626
1958San Francisco Giants152685600121208299631.347.419.583
1959San Francisco Giants1516495751251803410427.313.381.583
1960San Francisco Giants1536695951071902910325.319.381.585
1961San Francisco Giants1546595721291764012318.308.393.584
1962San Francisco Giants1627066211301894914118.304.384.615
1963San Francisco Giants157671596115187381038.314.380.582
1964San Francisco Giants1576655781211714711119.296.383.607
1965San Francisco Giants157638558118174521129.317.398.645
1966San Francisco Giants15262955299159371035.288.268.536
1967San Francisco Giants1415444868312822706.263.334.453
1968San Francisco Giants14857349884144237912.289.372.488
1969San Francisco Giants1174594036411413586.283.362.437
1970San Francisco Giants1395664789413928835.291.390.506
1971San Francisco Giants13653741782113186123.271.425.482
1972San Francisco Giants/New York Mets8830924435618224.250.400.402
1973New York Mets6623920924446251.211.303.344
Career 30051254510924206832936601909339.301.384.557

Bold stats indicate league leader

MORE: Why Willie Mays is called the "Say Hey Kid"

Willie Mays awards and accolades

Mays' trophy case is even more impressive than his Hall-of-Fame stats. Here's a list of his most impressive accolades:

  • 1952 NL Rookie of the Year
  • 1954 World Series Champion
  • 1954 and 1965 NL MVP
  • 1954 NL batting champion
  • 4-time HR champion
  • 4-time SB champion
  • 12-time Gold Glove winner
  • 24-time All-Star
  • 2-time All-Star MVP
  • Winner of inaugural Roberto Clemente Award in 1971
  • 3,000-hit club
  • 600-HR club
  • 300-SB club
  • MLB All-Century Team
  • MLB All-Time Team
  • 1979 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee
  • Giants Wall of Fame
  • Retired No. 24 jersey (Giants)
  • Retired No. 24 jersey (Mets)
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.