[tjenkins]

Originally Posted by JoeyFarino

Mays was not clearly the better player and im surprised when people say that. Aaron was a beast and had nearly the same playing ability as Mays

I have a tendency to agree with this post! Hank Aaron's career major hitting stats all surpass Willie Mays. I counted Hank Aaron as playing 23 years and Mays for 21 (minus 2 years military service). I believe Mays missed part of the 1952 season and all of the 1953 when figuring average yearly stats. I think we can safely say he was a little better hitter. Mays was the better fielder and base runner but to follow the OP line of thinking Hank Aaron will always be my favorite, next to Harmon Killebrew of course!

Hank Aaron (23 yrs)
Batting Average .305 (plus 3 points)
Hits 3,771 (plus 488), yearly average 163
RBI 2,297 (plus 394), yearly average 100
HR 755 (plus 95), yearly average 33

Willie Mays (21 years)
Batting Average .302
Hits 3,283, yearly average 156
RBI 1,903, yearly average 91
HR 660, yearly average 31