FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
The case of Willie Mays’ missing HR: Will he get credit for Negro League blast? [San Francisco Chronicle]
Dec. 21 The magical number 660 overlaps generations of Giants fans.
Everyone knowing at least a little about Giants franchise history knows 660 is Willie Mays’ home run total.
What if the number jumped to 661?
Negro Leagues statistics from 1920 to 1948 soon will be classified among statistics of major-leaguers, and 1948 was Mays’ rookie season with the Birmingham Black Barons.
It had been believed Mays had no home runs that year, at least based on statistical websites. Upon further review, he did hit a homer in 1948, according to newspaper clippings and a record of the Negro American League final stats.
The case of Willie Mays missing HR: Will he get credit for Negro League blast?
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Willie Mays, star outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, arrives on Feb. 4, 1962 at a San Francisco public playground equipped for a workout on his own. Mays, who recently signed a Giants contract for an estimated $90,000 largest in Giants history, said he wanted to limber up some as spring training is just around the corner. (AP Photo/Robert Houston)Robert Houston / Associated Press 1962
The magical number 660 overlaps generations of Giants fans.
Everyone knowing at least a little about Giants franchise history knows 660 is Willie Mays’ home run total.