Willie Mays played baseball because he loved the game. It didn't matter if he played at the Polo Grounds, on the streets of Harlem, or on the sandlots .
Willie Mays spent 21 months in the army, missing most of the 1952 and all of the 1953 seasons. The 22-year-old Willie returned to the New York Giants at the beginning of spring training in March 1954, and was greeted with great enthusiasm by his teammates. On rare occasions, one can predict what will happen. The hyperbole present in the Giants’ camp that day was one such occasion. Willie Mays was going to make the Giants a force in the National League.
Great Offense and Spectacular Defense
It was only an intrasquad game, but for the kid who played stickball on the streets of Harlem, it didn’t matter. In the fifth inning, Willie stepped up to the plate and blasted a 400-foot home run over the left field wall. Two innings later, the kid who prefaced his remarks with “Say, Hey” made a spectacular one handed catch in deep right center field to rob Harvey Gentry of extra bases. Willie whirled and fired to first, doubling up Billy Gardner and then raced back 50 feet to make an over shoulder catch to end the inning.
It Was Predicted That Willie Would Make a Huge Difference
Giants’ manager Leo Durocher, who was the third base coach, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. All winter, Leo told anyone who would listen that Willie’s return would solve the Giants’ problems. Considering that New York finished 35 games behind Brooklyn in 1953, Leo’s claims were not taken too seriously, but even the baseball writers knew that Willie would make a huge difference in the Giants’ fortunes. They wrote that with Willie in camp, everyone has perked up. “Willie’s effervescent personality, aside from his great natural ability, gives the organization a tremendous lift.”
Willie Signed for $13,000
Willie was unsigned, partially because teams were not allowed to sign players who were in the army. Giants’ owner Horace Stoneham indicated that he didn’t anticipate any problems in getting Willie’s signature on a contract. Willie denied a report that he would demand $20,000, “I couldn’t get that much money. Why, if I asked The Man for $20,000, he’d get a gun and shoot me. They won’t have trouble with me. I like to play.” The next day, Willie signed for $13,000, which was his salary before he was forced to leave the team.
Baseball, Not Money First
Willie Mays loved to play ball. It didn’t matter if he played for the Giants, on the streets of Harlem, or in a sandlot game. For Willie and many others of his era, the emphasis was on the game, not on the money. “They won’t have trouble with me. I like to play.”
World Champion Giants
Willie had his breakout season in 1954, winning the batting title with a .345 average, leading the league with a .667 slugging average, hitting 41 home runs, and driving home 110. He was voted the National League MVP. The Giants won the pennant and swept the Indians in the World Series. Of course, Willie didn’t do it alone.
Hitting and Pitching
Right fielder Don Mueller, who along with Brooklyn’s Duke Snider battled with Willie for the batting title, hit a solid .342. Dusty Rhodes had a fantastic year as a pinch hitter, batting .341 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in only 164 at bats, but it was the pitching of Johnny Antonelli, Marv Grissom, and Hoyt Wilhelm that was crucial. Antonelli’s services were acquired from the Braves in exchange for Giants’ hero Bobby Thomson. Antonelli went 21-7 and led the league with a 2.30 ERA. Grissom won 10 games, primarily in relief, while Wilhelm was 12-4 with a 2.10 ERA. Sal Maglie chipped in with 14 wins and Ruben Gomez won 17.
Willie Led by Example
Durocher exaggerated with his claim that Willie would solve all the Giants problems, but Willie certainly was the catalyst that transformed the Giants into a team that wanted to win. Willie loved to play and his enthusiasm carried over to others. He was the team leader without being a general. Willie Mays led by example. Most modern players love the game, some as much as Willie loved it, but there is so much emphasis on the business end that too many players lose sight of how much they enjoy simply playing. Players deserve as much money as they can get, but not enough recognize the price THEY pay to get their pay. Even Willie Mays has changed.
References:
Effrat, Louis. "Mays Marks Return to Giants WIth 400-Foot Homer at Phoenix." New York Times. 3 March 1954, p. 33.
Effrat, Louis. "Lockman, Gomez Arrive at Camp; Mays Gets $13,000 Contract." New York Times. 4 March 1954, p. 35.
1954 New York Giants
