Willie Mays—nicknamed the "Say Hey Kid"—served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He was drafted in 1952, just one year after winning National League Rookie of the Year.
Mays’ military service added another layer to his legacy—not just as a baseball icon, but as a patriotic figure who paused his career to serve his country. His return to the game was triumphant, helping lead the Giants to a World Series win in 1954 and cementing his place in American history
