May 6, 1931 – Date of birth.
July 4, 1948 – Makes his debut for the Birmingham Black Barons.
May 31, 1950 – Graduates from Fairfield Industrial High School.
June 1950 – Signs contract with New York Giants for $4,000 bonus.
June 23, 1950 – Joins Trenton Giants and becomes first black player in Interstate League.
May 25, 1951 – Makes his debut for the New York Giants in Philadelphia.
May 28, 1951 – Hits his first major league home run at the Polo Grounds.
October 3, 1951 – Is on the on-deck circle when Bobby Thomson hits the “shot heard ’round the world.”
November 1951 – Is named Rookie of The Year of National League.
May 28, 1952 – Plays final game at Ebbets Field before reporting to the army.
April 13, 1954 – After completing army duties, returns to the Giants for Opening Day.
July 26, 1954 – Appears on the cover of Time.
September 29, 1954 – Makes “the Catch” in Game One of World Series against Indians.
November 1954 – Is named MVP of National League.
February 14, 1956 – Marries Marghuerite Wendell.
1956 – Becomes first player in MLB history to hit more than 30 homers and steal more than 30 bases.
September 29, 1957 – Plays in New York Giants’ final game in New York.
April 15, 1958 – Plays in Giants’ first game in San Francisco.
1959 – Adopts baby boy, Michael.
1960 – Signs for $85,000, making him the highest-paid player in MLB.
April 12, 1960 – Plays in first game at Candlestick Park.
1961 – Divorces Marghuerite.
April 30, 1961 – Hits four home runs in Milwaukee, tying an MLB record.
September 30, 1962 – Hits game-winning homer in season finale to push Giants into playoff against the Dodgers.
October 3, 1962 – After Giants win pennant in Los Angeles, fans in San Francisco airport scream for Willie, symbolizing his acceptance by the city.
1963 – Signs for $100,000.
October 6, 1963 – The groundbreaking documentary “A Man Named Mays” appears on NBC.
August 22, 1965 – Helps break up the Marichal-Roseboro brawl, earning reputation as “peacemaker.”
November 1965 – Wins MVP for second time.
May 4, 1966 – Hits career homer 512, passing Mel Ott as National League leader.
September 22, 1969 – Hits career homer 600.
July 18, 1970 – Gets hit number 3,000.
May 1971 – At fortieth birthday party, introduces Mae Allen, whom he marries in November.
May 11, 1972 – Is traded to the New York Mets.
May 14, 1972 – In first game as a Met, hits a home run against the Giants.
July 24, 1973 – Appears in his 24th All-Star Game.
September 25, 1973 – Says his farewell to fans at Shea Stadium.
October 14, 1973 – Appears in final game in World Series against Oakland.
August 5, 1979 – Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame.
