WILLIE "SAY HEY KID" MAYS - MAGAZINE SIGNED - HFSID 113818

WILLIE MAYS
Complete Oct. 6, 1973 issue of The Sporting News, signed by baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays on the cover in blue ink. This issue is dated two weeks after Mays announced his retirement from Major League baseball on Sept. 20, 1973.
Magazine signed: "Willie Mays". Color, 48p, 11½x15. Complete Oct. 6, 1973 issue of The Sporting News. Title story: "Willie Mays/Calls It a Day" with his photo on cover. This issue is dated two weeks after Mays announced his retirement from Major League baseball on Sept. 20, 1973. He stopped playing five days later, on Sept. 25, Willie Mays Day at Shea Stadium.Considered by many the greatest player of all time, Willie Mays (1931-2024) was the prototype of the complete player; he hit for average and power, ran the bases with intelligence and speed, played a spectacular centerfield, and possessed a great arm. He was also remarkably durable, playing in at least 150 games for 13 consecutive seasons. Mays was an All-Star in 1954-1973, he received the Most Valuable Player Award in 1954 and 1965 and the Gold Glove in 1957-68.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. On May 4, 1966, Mays passed Mel Ott's 19-year-old record of 511 National League home runs and finished his career with a total of 660, ranking him third on the all-time list behind Henry Aaron's 755 and Babe Ruth's 714. He retired with a .302 batting average. Lightly toned and creased. Light tears at all edges. Otherwise, fine condition.