Celebrating Willie Mays’ top baseball cards

Willie Mays, regarded as one of the greatest baseball players ever, earned his legendary status through a combination of talent, athleticism and a passion for the game. At the heart of Mays’ greatness, however, was his extraordinary skill set, which encompassed every aspect of the game.

The “Say Hey Kid,” who passed away June 18 at age 93, was an exceptional hitter. His quick reflexes and powerful swing allowed him to consistently make solid contact with the ball, resulting in a career batting average of .302. Mays possessed both the ability to hit for average and power, amassing 660 home runs over his 22-year career, a testament to his incredible strength and consistency.

Beyond his prowess as a hitter, Mays, a centerfielder, was also defensive marvel for the San Francisco Giants, where he spent the bulk of his major league career. Renowned for his acrobatic catches and lightning-fast reactions in the outfield, Mays revolutionized fielding. His famous over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series, for example, remains one of the most iconic moments in baseball history, showcasing his extraordinary range, instincts and fearlessness in pursuit of the ball.

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In addition, baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer, was a master of baserunning, utilizing his speed to steal bases and advance runners with efficiency. His aggressive, yet intelligent, approach on the bases often put immense pressure on opposing teams.

Mays, who celebrates his 93^rd birthday on May 6,

has been a favorite of collectors for decades. Here are 10 Mays cards you should collect:

One of the most iconic and sought-after cards in the hobby, the ballplayer’s first card features a young Mays in his rookie season with the New York Giants. Like superstars Mantle and Whitey Ford, Mays’ first cardboard appearance is in the 1951 Bowman set. The card—a classic portrait of Mays in his batting stance against a vibrant background—is a must-have among collectors who prefer vintage. The card also capped off a great season for Mays, when he won a World Series and was named NL Rookie of the Year.

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1952 Topps #261

Mays’ first Topps appearance is in many cases a bigger deal among some collectors than his Bowman card from the previous year. The card features a stunning portrait of Mays from his first season based on a photo following his rookie season. While not Mays’ rookie card, collectors nonetheless value the 1952 Topps card for its design and rarity in high grades, which has contributed to its mystique and collectability over the years.

A favorite among fans of the old Polo Grounds, the card features Mays in a batting stance with a facsimile of his autograph in black ink. The card was issued that year, when Mays—like many ballplayers of the time—joined the Army at the height of World War II, which is noted on the back of the card.

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This card features a focused Mays making a basket catch. While the pose is iconic, it’s this card’s artwork that makes it collectable. And that’s not all. The card was a short print, which makes it tough to find. It is even tougher to find in high grades given its black border at the bottom.

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Those who prefer Bowman cards from this era can’t do without Mays’ 1954 card. The card features a smiling Mays, bat in hand, kneeling in the dugout. The only other thing on the card is a facsimile of his signature in the bottom right corner. Not easy to find centered, the back of the card proclaims Mays to be “the greatest young fielder there is” and a “dangerous man with a bat” given his reputation as one of baseball’s greatest hitters.

Many baseball cards picture players either posing or hitting, but few of them show a great play. That’s why Mays’ 1959 Topps card is both fun and rare. The card—under the banner “Mays’ Catch Makes Series History—recalls “The Catch,” an over-the-shoulder grab of a long drive by Vic Wertz in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series in three panels. It’s not a very valuable card, but one that collectors love because of the play it recalls.

The 1971 Topps set, with its black borders, remains iconic. While the card features a pensive Mays on the front, the back proclaims just how impactful a player he was throughout the previous decade. It notes that he was “voted Sporting News Player of 1960s.” As for the card itself, high grades are hard to find due to those black borders, which are prone to chipping.

Also See: Top Mickey Mantle cards for collectors 

Not his base card, Mays also appears in this “In Action” insert. These “special cards,” as Topps called them, showed star players during a particular play, not just posing with a bat. This “In Action” subset featured, among others, Roberto Clemente, Reggie Jackson and Pete Rose. Mays’ “In Action” card shows him sliding into a base with a puff of dirt filling the air.

This set marked the start of one era and the end of another. While catcher Mike Schmidt, who would go on to be one of the best players of the 1980s appears as a rookie in this set, it’s also notable for being the last card of Mays as an active player. Featured in a New York Mets uniform, Mays’ last card features his long MLB statistics on the back and the fact that he featured in 19 consecutive All-Star Games.

There have been plenty of Mays cards that have been issued during his post-playing days. Among the most notable is this Upper Deck card from 1995. While the Junk wax era brought with it higher print runs, it also was the decade where autographed cards began to appear in packs. This signed card—part of a redemption program—remains a must-have for Mays fans.