An Amazin’ debut

Willie Mays takes his first swings 54 years ago today as a member of the New York Mets

A day after the San Francisco Giants trade him to the New York Mets, future Hall of Famer Willie Mays takes batting practice for the first time with his new team 54 years ago today at Shea Stadium.

Mays waits another two days before playing in his first game with the Mets against, naturally, the Giants.

And Mays being Mays – and that being great – he homers against his former teammates with a solo shot off Don Carrithers in the fifth inning to snap a 4-4 tie in a game New York eventually wins 5-4 before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 35,505 at Shea Stadium.

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