Willie Mays through the years

Outfielder Willie Mays in 1951, when he broke in with the New York Giants.

Willie Mays is sworn in as a private at the U.S. Army induction center in New York City on May 29, 1952.

Willie Mays missed the 1953 season while doing military service.

Willie Mays makes his famous 1954 over-the-shoulder catch.

Duke Snider of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Willie Mays of the New York Giants and Stan Musial of the Cardinals, left to right, before the start of the 1954 All-Star Game in Cleveland.

Willie Mays and then-Vice President Richard Nixon laugh in the San Francisco dugout in 1960, before the Giants' first regular-season game at Candlestick Park.

Willie Mays tips his cap in 1966 to acknowledge cheers after hitting his 512th career homer to get a National League record.

Willie Mays in 1968.

Willie Mays, center, with Joe Torre, left, and Bob Uecker in 1968.

Willie Mays at spring training in January 1970.

Willie Mays connects for his 3,000th hit on July 18, 1970.

Willie Mays, who was traded to the New York Mets in 1972, poses with John F. Kennedy Jr.

Willie Mays tips his hat to the fans for the last time during farewell ceremonies in New York's Shea Stadium on Sept. 26, 1973.

Willie Mays looks at a model clay sculpture of himself during a news conference Aug. 6, 1998, at the site of Pacific Bell Park, the future home of the Giants in San Francisco.

Willie Mays gets a hug from Carlton Fisk in 1999 after a luncheon in Boston for players nominated to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Willie Mays throws out the final ceremonial pitch on Sept. 30, 1999 after the Giants' last game at 3Com Park at Candlestick Point.

Cal Ripken Jr. and Willie Mays are honored as members of the All Century Team before the start of the second game of the 1999 World Series in Atlanta.

Willie Mays (left) and Hank Aaron talk with Pam Greenwell, a contest winner, during the second game of the 1999 World Series at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Willie Mays looks over Willie Mays Plaza at the team's new home Pacific Bell Park.

Willie Mays addresses the crowd gathered at Willie Mays Plaza outside Pacific Bell Park during the dedication ceremony of the plaza in San Francisco on March 31, 2000.

Giants star Barry Bonds, wipes his eyes while listening to his godfather, Willie Mays, speak during the dedication ceremony.

Willie Mays at Pacific Bell Park

Willie Mays throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Pacific Bell Park.

Willie Mays stands next to his statue at Pacific Bell Park.

Barry Bonds, left, celebrates his 500th career home run with Willie Mays on April 17, 2000.

Willie Mays throws out the first pitch at Shea Stadium in 2000 after a ceremony honoring the 10 greatest moments in New York Mets history.

President Clinton shakes hands with Willie Mays during a rally in San Jose, California, on Nov. 3, 2000.

Willie Mays shares stories about Barry Bonds on Oct. 5, 2001, during a ceremony to mark Bonds' single-season home run record.

Willie Mays speaks with actress Brooke Shields in the dugout before a reunion of the 1962 Giants.

Willie Mays appears at a news conference before Game 3 of the 2002 World Series.

Barry Bonds and Willie Mays at spring training in 2004.

Barry Bonds, right, gets a kiss from his godfather Willie Mays after Bonds tied Mays' home run record at 660 on April 12, 2004.

Willie Mays throws out baseballs after being honored before the 78th Major League Baseball All-Star Game at AT&T Park on July 10, 2007 in San Francisco.

Willie Mays, Billie Jean King and Harry Belafonte are presented with their Beacon Awards before the Gillette Civil Rights Game on May 15, 2010 in Cincinnati.