Mays won two MVPs an incredible 11 years apart and hit 660 home runs (third most in major league history when he retired) despite playing in only 34 games in the 1952 season – and missing all of the 1953 season because of being drafted into military service.



In 1954, Mays returned and immediately earned the MVP by leading the majors with a .345 average, hitting 41 homers, knocking in 110 runs and scoring 119 (the first of 12 consecutive seasons with at least 100 runs).



Mays is also a member of the elite 3,000-hit club (3,283, No. 10 all-time) and has a lifetime average of .302. He also scored 2,062 runs and drove in an amazing 1,903 RBI. Mays was also the first player to hit 300 homers and steal 300 bases (338 total). Astonishingly, Mays also led the National League in steals four consecutive seasons.



When the Gold Glove came into existence in 1957, Mays earned one 12 consecutive years and remains the only outfielder with more than 7,000 career putouts (7,095).




Mays was elected into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1979 and is now remembered with more reverence than at anytime before.


Mays would probably have at least another 75 home runs had he not missed almost two entire seasons because of being drafted – taking his now, 660 to 735, and surpassing Babe Ruth before Henry Aaron.

We could go on and on.

to be frank it is not even fair to compare the 2. Ruth was a good slugger and a decent pitcher, but,he was not the complete athlete and complete baseball player that Mays was. Not even close.

In fact his large size and terrible conditioning made him a subpar athlete.(Ruth)

and again,how can you compare Babe Ruth to Michael Jordan? First it is an insult to Jordan and secondly,they are in 2 different sports. Sure Jordan tried and failed at baseball,but could Ruth play Basketball as well as Jordan payed Baseball?
Jordan can run track,jump high hurdles,high jump and probrably excell in any sport he puts his mind to . Why because he is a superior overall athlete.

was Ruth a superior overall athlete?

Never was.

while Ruth is a legend,athletes like Jordan are truly special. His combination of skill and athleticisim are unparalled and he is an athlete we will only see once in a lifetime.

It is ok for you to have the opinion that Ruth was a great player and he is your baseball idol,but when you start talking about greatest athlete and that he is a better athlete than Jordan,then you've crossed the line.