Willie Mays - Original Type 1 Photo from Willie Mays Day – August 8, 1954. PSA

The legendary Willie Mays was so exceptional that the New York Giants honored him with a special day very early in his career—during just his second full season! Mays burst onto the scene in 1951, winning the coveted National League Rookie of the Year Award. After appearing in only 34 games in 1952, his career was interrupted by military service, as he was drafted into the Army and missed the remainder of the 1952 season and all of 1953.

However, Mays returned with a bang in 1954, delivering a blockbuster season. He captured the National League Most Valuable Player Award, leading the league with a .345 batting average while smashing 41 home runs, slugging a league-leading .667, an on base pct. of .411, and driving in 110 runs. Not bad for just his second full season in the majors! It’s no wonder the Giants celebrated his brilliance with Willie Mays Day on August 8, 1954—a fitting tribute to a player destined for greatness.

Offered here is an original Type 1 photo in Mint Condition from Willie Mays Day, August 8, 1954—the first we’ve ever encountered. In fact, we didn’t even know the Giants honored him with such a day so early in his career... you truly learn something new every day!

The photo is nothing short of spectacular: a full 9x7 inches, in black and white, pristine, and perfectly in focus. Willie’s smiling face is front and center, and every detail is remarkably clear—from the inscriptions on the banners (one even calling him "The Birmingham Belter," a nickname we never knew he had) to the large, cheering crowd in the background.

The reverse of the photo features the original Associated Press caption, which describes the event and notes that Willie walked and singled during the game. Unfortunately, the Giants fell to the Braves that day, 5-2. Still, this photo captures a magical moment in baseball history—a true gem for any collector.

What particularly caught our eye is the incredible detail in this image—the banners proudly bearing his name, inscriptions like “Hip, Hip Hooray, Say Hey!”, the young ladies dressed in Giants shirts, and the packed stadium (and even the stations) in the background. It’s a truly captivating scene that perfectly captures the excitement of this historic baseball event.

If you’re a Giants fan, a Willie Mays fan—and honestly, what baseball fan isn’t?—this is a must-have piece. The photo comes encapsulated in a PSA Type 1 holder, ensuring its authenticity and providing a stunning presentation, ready to be displayed on your favorite shelf. 

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