Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays, one of the game’s most popular players, severs all ties with major league baseball when he accepts a public relations job with an Atlantic City casino. Due to the gambling aspect of the position, he had been given an ultimatum by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to disassociate himself from the national pastime.

This Day In Baseball

On October 29, 1979 — Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays, one of the game’s most popular players, severs all ties with major league baseball when he accepts a public relations job with the Bally Corporation, which is involved with legalized gambling in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Due to the gambling aspect of the position, he had been given an ultimatum by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to disassociate himself from the national pastime.