Childhood and Education Journey of Willie Mays in Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Willie Mays. A timeline of key moments.
Willie Mays, "the Say Hey Kid," was a legendary MLB center fielder over 23 seasons. He began in the Negro leagues before joining the New York/San Francisco Giants and New York Mets in the National League. Considered one of baseball's greatest, Mays was a five-tool player renowned for his all-around excellence.
1926: Birth of Marghuerite Wendell Chapman
Marghuerite Wendell Chapman, who became Willie Mays's first wife, was born in 1926.
May 6, 1931: Willie Mays Born
On May 6, 1931, Willie Howard Mays Jr., later nicknamed "the Say Hey Kid", was born. He went on to become a celebrated baseball player.
1949: High School Years
In 1949, Willie Mays was still attending Fairfield Industrial High School, where he played multiple sports.
1950: High School Graduation
In 1950, Willie Mays graduated from Fairfield Industrial High School.
1951: Drafted into the Army
In 1951, soon after the baseball season, Willie Mays was drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Korean War.
March 1, 1954: Discharge from Army
On March 1, 1954, Willie Mays was discharged from the Army and reported to the Giants' spring training camp the following day.
1956: Mays Marries Chapman
In 1956, Willie Mays married Marghuerite Wendell Chapman, becoming her third husband.
1956: Mays's First Marriage
In 1956, Willie Mays's participation in local stickball games with kids decreased due to his first marriage.
1959: Mays Adopts Michael
In 1959, Willie Mays and his wife, Marghuerite, adopted a five-day-old baby named Michael.
1961: Mays Receives Allen's Number
In 1961, Wilt Chamberlain gave Willie Mays Mae Louise Allen's phone number.
1962: Mays Separates From Wife
In 1962, Willie Mays separated from his wife, Marghuerite Wendell Chapman.
1963: Mays Divorces Chapman
In 1963, Willie Mays and Marghuerite Wendell Chapman divorced, with Marghuerite taking Michael.
1965: Mays injured, acts as peacemaker in brawl
In 1965, Willie Mays sustained a torn shoulder muscle. On August 22, 1965, Mays acted as a peacemaker during a brawl between the Giants and Dodgers, and hit a game-winning home run but felt dizzy afterwards.
May 6, 1968: Astros present Mays with birthday cake
On May 6, 1968, Astros owner Roy Hofheinz presented Willie Mays with a 569-pound birthday cake for his 37th birthday.
1972: Mays Traded to the Mets
In 1972, Mays was traded to the Mets, during which Joan Payson promised Mays she would retire his number.
1976: Mays Invited to White House Dinner
In 1976, Willie Mays was invited to the White House state dinner honoring Queen Elizabeth II during Gerald Ford's administration.
October 1979: Mays Joins Bally's Casino
In October 1979, Willie Mays accepted a job at Bally's Park Place casino and terminated his contract with the Mets.
1985: Mays Reinstated to Baseball
In 1985, Peter Ueberroth reinstated Willie Mays to baseball after he had been banned due to his association with a casino.
1986: Mays Becomes Special Assistant to the Giants
In 1986, Willie Mays was named special assistant to the president and general manager of the Giants.
1993: Mays Signs Lifetime Contract
In 1993, Willie Mays signed a lifetime contract with the Giants.
July 30, 2006: Mays at White House Tee Ball
On July 30, 2006, Willie Mays was the Tee Ball Commissioner at the White House Tee Ball Initiative during George W. Bush's presidency.
July 14, 2009: Mays Accompanies Obama to All-Star Game
On July 14, 2009, Willie Mays accompanied Barack Obama to St. Louis aboard Air Force One for that year's All-Star Game.
2021: Mays' 90th birthday
In 2021, James S. Hirsch wrote that Mays' vision was compromised but he was still able to watch games on television.
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