Willie Mays

August 17, 1973: Playing for the Mets, Giants legend Willie Mays hits the 660th and final home run of his career in a 2-1 home loss against the Cincinnati Reds.

Mays began playing professional baseball in 1947 in the Negro Leagues for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos. After playing three seasons in the Negro Leagues with two different teams, Mays was signed by the New York Giants in 1950.

Mays was called up from the minors in 1951 and won Rookie of the Year with a .274 average, 68 RBI and 20 home runs.

Because he was drafted by the U.S. Military during the Korean War, Mays missed most of the 1952 season, and all of the 1953 season.

Upon his return, Mays truly broke out, hitting .345 with 110 RBI and 41 home runs, winning the 1954 National League MVP award, and also led the Giants to a World Series title.

After the Giants moved to San Francisco for the 1958 season, Mays continued to dominate, being in the MVP conversation almost every year and winning it again in 1965. Mays also won 11 straight Gold Glove awards while in San Francisco, and was named an All-Star every year there except for his last.

In May 1972, Mays was traded to the New York Mets, where he would finish his career. In his final season, Mays was named an All-Star for the 24th time in his career, tied for the second most ever.

Check out more intriguing moments of sports history in Throwback on ThePostGame.