Willie Mays: The Life and Legacy of Baseball's Greatest All-Around Player

Willie Howard Mays Jr., born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the most celebrated figures in the history of baseball. Growing up in the segregated South, Mays displayed prodigious talent from a young age. His father, a gifted baseball player in his own right, and his mother, a talented basketball player, provided the genetic foundation and encouragement that would set Mays on his path to greatness. By his teenage years, he was already showcasing his exceptional skills with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League, balancing school and professional play with remarkable poise.

Mays made his Major League Baseball debut on May 25, 1951, with the New York Giants. Despite a challenging start, he quickly found his footing and began to demonstrate the extraordinary combination of power, speed, and defensive prowess that would define his career. His ability to excel in every aspect of the game earned him the nickname "The Say Hey Kid."

One of the defining moments of Mays' career came in the 1954 World Series, when he made an iconic over-the-shoulder catch, known simply as "The Catch," a play that remains one of the most celebrated in baseball history. That same year, he won the first of his two MVP awards, solidifying his status as one of the game's premier talents.

Over a career spanning more than two decades, Mays accumulated a remarkable list of achievements:

• Home Runs: 660, placing him among the all-time leaders.
• Hits: 3,283.
• Batting Average: .302.
• Stolen Bases: 338.
• All-Star Appearances: 24 times.
• Gold Glove Awards: 12, underscoring his defensive excellence.
• World Series Champion: 1954.

Mays' combination of power and speed was rare, but it was his defensive skills that set him apart. His ability to cover vast expanses of outfield territory with grace and precision made him a constant highlight reel and a perennial Gold Glove winner.

Willie Mays is more than just his statistics. He played with a joy and flair that captivated fans and earned the respect of his peers. His style of play helped to popularize the sport and inspired countless young athletes. As one of the first African American players to break into Major League Baseball, Mays also played a crucial role in the integration of the sport, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Jackie Robinson.

Mays' influence extends beyond the diamond. He has been an ambassador for the game, engaging in philanthropic efforts and working to promote baseball to new generations. His autobiography and numerous biographies detail not just his on-field achievements but also his experiences off the field, offering a window into the life of a man who has seen and shaped so much of baseball history. In 1979, Willie Mays was inducted into the Baseball Hall of
Fame on his first ballot, a testament to his unparalleled career. His legacy is celebrated annually through various awards and honors, and he remains a fixture at baseball events, where his presence is a reminder of the game's rich history.

"In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept constructive criticism. Without one-hundred percent dedication, you won't be able to do this."

Willie Mays

Today, as we learn about Willie Mays’ death at 93, we honor the great man, incredible baseball player and wonderful human being who he was: a center fielder whose all-around brilliance in sports and in life will perdure forever. For he was named “the greatest all-around player in baseball history”.

 Mays' life and career are testaments to the power of talent, determination, and character. From his early days in Alabama to his legendary status in Major League Baseball, Mays has left an indelible mark on the sport. His legacy is not just in the records he set but in the countless players he inspired and the joy he brought to fans. Willie Mays is, and always will be, one of baseball's greatest all-around players.

Feliz Dia del Padre & Happy Father's Day

 We become Dads at a very special moment in our lives. This is when we realize that the only and true infinite love we give is to our sons and daughters.

It is by #love that we turn into superheroes, adventurers, singers, dancers, acrobats, storytellers, providers and teachers (for life) and many other wonderful things.

Being a Dad is true Love.

To all my friends who are Dads, and to all who will be one day:

Happy Father's Day 👏👏👏👏👏

Para mis amigos Papás, para los que no lo son y para los que van a ser,

Feliz Día del Padre. 🥂🥂🥂🥂

#happyfathersday #felizdiadelpadre 

Tres pasos para Recuperar la Curiosidad

Los niños tienen una enorme curiosidad que los caracteriza. Pero, por diversas razones y factores, esa curiosidad se va perdiendo a medida que van creciendo; y cuando llegamos a ser adultos, todos tenemos una curiosidad muy pequeña. ¿Será que podemos reaprender a ser curiosos?

Pues como todo en la vida, sí podemos recuperar parte o todo de nuestra curiosidad pues la misma se puede aprender o reaprender. Por ello hoy quiero explorar tres maneras diferentes mediante las cuales podemos aprender - de nuevo – a ser más curiosos.

Walt Disney dijo en una ocasión que la curiosidad nos lleva siempre hacia nuevos caminos; y es que la curiosidad es una cualidad que nos invita a investigar, explorar, aprender y a descubrir nuevas cosas, nuevas ideas y esos nuevos caminos con nuevas posibilidades.

A continuación les doy tres pasos muy sencillos para comenzar a ser un poco más curiosos:

1. Pregunten más y hagan mejores preguntas.

Uno de los aspectos que nos debe mantener atentos y alertos es averiguar el porqué de las cosas. Y eso lo hacemos al preguntar de una mejor manera. Desde la época de Sócrates hasta nuestra época el preguntar ha sido una excelente forma de trasmitir conocimiento y de aprender; y es que preguntar nos hace pensar. De ahora en adelante cuando vean a una persona háganle preguntas que comiencen con las siguientes cinco palabras:

·        Quien

·        Qué

·        Cuándo

·        Dónde

·        Cómo

Recuerden que debemos hacer más y mejores preguntas.

2.      Pongámonos nuevos retos.

Un reto es, según el diccionario de la Real Academia Española, un “Objetivo o empeño difícil de llevar a cabo, y que constituye por ello un estímulo y un desafío para quien lo afronta.” Es hacer algo más difícil, diferente, complejo o hacer algo de una manera distinta para ver si puede hacerse mejor. Muchos retos se relacionan con los deportes, como por ejemplo correr más rápido, saltar más alto, anotar más carreras o hacer más goles. Para los emprendedores es poder hacer cosas más complejas, hacerlas mejor o de maneras más eficientes. Para un astronauta significa superar obstáculos en el espacio, mientras que para un marino es atravesar océanos en momentos de tormentas. Un reto es colocarse una meta mucho más grande y logar alanzarla. Son metas personales o profesionales y cada vez hacer cosas más complejas. Es ese levantarse más temprano, leer o aprender más, tener una alimentación balanceada o hacer más deporte. Es decidirse a hacer algo más complejo y de una manera diferente. Y es hacerlo desde hoy mismo.

3.      Interesémonos por lo que hacemos.

Si bien hay temas u actividades que son muy atractivas para ciertas personas, a otros les pueden resultar menos interesantes o rutinarias. Sin embargo hay una palabra que debemos eliminar de nuestro pensamiento y de nuestro vocabulario: aburrido. En pocas palabras estamos obligados a generar interés por las cosas que hacemos, por nuestro trabajo, por nuestras actividades o tareas. Habrá algunas más interesantes que otras, pero eso no quiere decir que debemos dejar de hacerlas. Allí es cuando nos debemos interesar mucho más en lo que hacemos.

 Preguntando mejor, interesándonos más y poniéndonos nuevos retos lograremos iniciar el camino para recuperar nuestra curiosidad. ¿Se atreven?