1973 – Although not selected, Willie Mays appears in the All-Star Game thanks to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn increasing the player limit so the “Say Hey Kid” can participate in the Mid-summer classic. Mays strikes out in his final All-Star appearance. The National League wins, 7 – 1. A record 54 players are used, including Catfish Hunter, who sustains a fractured thumb that will sideline him for four weeks. The A’s ace has a 15-3 record at the time.
In an exhibition game played in Puerto Rico, Willie Mays substitutes for New York Mets manager Yogi Berra and leads his team to a 8 – 3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Willie Mays, playing his first game with the New York Mets, hits a game-winning home run against his former teammates, the San Francisco Giants. Just three days earlier, the Mets had acquired Mays from the Giants for a player, pitcher Charlie Williams, and cash.
Tom Seaver wins his 100th game in a 2 – 1 New York Mets victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets also acquire veteran outfielder Willie Mays from the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000.
On May 11, 1972, the New York Mets acquire Willie Mays from the San Francisco Giants for pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000. Three days later, the future Hall of Famer will hit a game-winning home run against the Giants in his Mets’ debut.
May 6, 1972: Legendary San Francisco Giants OF Willie Mays enjoys a slice of birthday cake that was presented to him by the Phillies on his 41st birthday. (Mays would be traded to the Mets five days later.)
March 12, 1973: New York Mets manager Yogi Berra fines Willie Mays for leaving the team for two days without notice. “I didn’t think I’d have to tell them everytime I cross the street. He made his point and he was right. I made a mistake. I should have told him.” – Willie Mays
In his major league debut, J.R. Richard throws a complete game in the Astros’ 5-3 victory over San Francisco at Candlestick Park. The 21 year-old right-handed fireballer strikes out a major-league rookie record 15 batters in his first major league appearance.
1971 – Willie Mays hits a 12th-inning home run off Joe Hoerner of the Philadelphia Phillies, his 22nd – and last – career extra-inning homer, a major-league mark.
Willie Mays hits his 638th major league career home run with the Giants franchise, adding in the process his National League record 1,950th run scored.
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