The passing of MLB legend Willie Mays on June 18, 2024, rocked the baseball world with many people and organizations taking the time to reflect on what he meant to the game.
The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants is one of the best and most historic in all of sports, dating all the way back to their roots as New York franchises. As a result, the Dodgers became extremely acquainted with Mays and his greatness as a ballplayer.
Mays played more than two seasons worth of games (383) against the Dodgers in his career. In that time he hit 98 home runs, which is the most Mays had against any opponent and the most by a single player against the Dodgers in history.
Mays even captured the attention former Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully who was enamored by his ability on the baseball diamond. Scully once remarked that Mays was “the greatest player he ever called” and his “favorite player, even though you wore the wrong uniform.”
Dodgers celebrating Willie Mays
The Dodgers are honoring Mays ahead of the series opener against the Giants on Monday, July 22, with his son Michael Mays due to be attendance for the pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium.
“As beautiful as the outpouring of love for my father has been, frankly, I’m not surprised,” Michael Mays said. “But for his team’s forever rival to make it their business to pay tribute to him may be the greatest testament of all to his impact.”
The Dodgers were among the teams to issue a statement last month when Willie Mays passed away.
The legacy of Willie Mays
Mays began his career in the Negro Leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948 and was a member of the Giants’ organization for a vast majority of his MLB career. Over his 23 seasons in the Majors, he built a truly legendary Hall of Fame career.
He won the NL Rookie of the Year Award (1951), was a World Series champion (1954), two-time National League MVP, 12-time Gold Glove winner, Roberto Clemente Award winner (1971), four-time home run leader and stolen base leader, and named to the All-Star Game 24 times.
Mays accomplished all of that while missing about 275 games for the Giants due to military service during the Korean War. He ended his career with 3,293 hits, 660 home runs and 1,909 RBI.
The San Francisco Giants and New York Mets have both retired No. 24 in Mays’ honor.
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