PHOENIX - MARCH, 1962: Outfielder Willie Mays #24, of the San Francisco Giants, poses for a portrait prior to a Spring Training game in March, 1962 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images)
The Boston Red Sox had a chance to sign a teenage Willie Mays before anyone else did, but the internal machinations of their dark past prevented it.
Few people would argue that Willie Mays was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His career accomplishments are too numerous to mention here and he was one of the most iconic players of the 1950s and 1960s.