Minorleaguer Mays captured attention of Nicklaus, age 11
Talk about an early intersection of athletic greatness.
Seventy years ago, in the spring of 1951, a renowned baseball prospect named Willie Mays played for the Minneapolis Millers, the top minorleague affiliate of the New York Giants. Mays and the Millers went on the road to play the Columbus Red Birds.
And in the crowd one day: 11yearold Jack Nicklaus.
Yep, that Jack Nicklaus. Mays, who turns 90 on Thursday, made a distinct impression on young Nicklaus. All these years later, he was quick to recall the longago sneak preview in Columbus, his hometown.
“I had no idea who Willie Mays was at the time,” Nicklaus told The Chronicle. “Because I saw him play young, I became a Willie Mays fan. I’ve always been a Willie Mays fan.
“I always loved watching the way he played, the ease and enthusiasm. He’s been great for the game of baseball. I want to wish Willie a happy birthday!”
Nicklaus, 81, didn’t recall any details of the MillersRed Birds games, which is understandable seven decades later. He also wasn’t entirely sure, but he thinks he met Mays once as adults.
At any rate, Mays played 35 games for Minneapolis in 1951 — hitting .477 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs — before the Giants summoned him to the majors. He was named NL Rookie of the Year, launching a transcendent Hall of Fame career. Mays is widely recognized as the greatest baseball player of all time.
Nicklaus found his calling in golf. He won 18 major championships, including the Masters six times, during his transcendent Hall of Fame career. Nicklaus is widely recognized as the greatest golfer of all time.
To think, one day they were in the same minorleague ballpark in Columbus — a freshfaced 20yearold soon headed to The Show, and an unsuspecting 11yearold savoring an early glimpse of The Say Hey Kid.