Other Comparisons:
Ken Griffey Jr. vs Willie Mays Comparison
Head-to-head comparison of MLB Hall of Famer Willie Mays and future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. that includes stats, World Series, and awards. Go to our Player Comparison page to check out other comparisons.
Go here to see a more in-depth comparison.
Position, Height, and Teams
Position
Willie Mays – Centerfielder
Ken Griffey Jr. – Centerfielder
Height
Willie Mays – 5’10”
Ken Griffey Jr. – 6’3″
Teams
Willie Mays – 2 ( Giants, Mets) 
Ken Griffey Jr. – 3 (Mariners, Reds, White Sox)
World Series and Seasons Played
World Series
Willie Mays – 1 (1954)
Ken Griffey Jr. – 0
World Series Appearances
Willie Mays – 4 (1951, 1954, 1962, 1973)
Ken Griffey Jr. – 0
Playoff Appearances
Willie Mays – 5 (1951, 1954, 1962, 1971, 1973)
Ken Griffey Jr. – 3 (1995, 1997, 2008)
Seasons Played
Willie Mays – 22 (1951-1973) (Didn’t play in 1953 due to Military Service)
Ken Griffey Jr. – 22 (1989-2010)
Awards and Honors
Hall of Fame
Willie Mays – Yes (94.7% in 1979)
Ken Griffey Jr. – Yes (99.32% in 2016)
Number Retired
Willie Mays – Yes (24 Giants)
Ken Griffey Jr. – No
MVP
Willie Mays – 2 (1954, 1955)
Ken Griffey Jr. – 1 (1997)
World Series MVP
Willie Mays – 0
Ken Griffey Jr. – 0
Rookie of the Year
Willie Mays – Yes (1951)
Ken Griffey Jr. – 0
Gold Gloves
Willie Mays – 12*
Ken Griffey Jr. – 10
Silver Slugger Award
Willie Mays – 0**
Ken Griffey Jr. – 7 (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996–1999)
Home Run Champion
Willie Mays – 4 (1955, 1962, 1964, 1965)
Ken Griffey Jr. – 4 (1994, 1997, 1998, 1999)
All Star Games
Willie Mays – 24
Ken Griffey Jr. – 13 (1990–2000, 2004, 2007)
All Star Game MVP
Willie Mays – 2 (1963, 1968)
Ken Griffey Jr. – 1 (1992)
RBI Champion
Willie Mays – 0
Ken Griffey Jr. – 1 (1997)
Comeback Player of the Year
Willie Mays – 0***
Ken Griffey Jr. – 1 (2005)
* The Gold Glove Award didn’t start until 1957.
** Silver Slugger Award wasn’t introduced until 1980.
*** Comeback Player of the Year Award wasn’t introduced until 2005.
Regular Season Career Stats (Offense)
Games
Willie Mays – 2,992
Ken Griffey Jr. – 2,671
At Bats
Willie Mays – 10,881
Ken Griffey Jr. – 9,801
Plate Appearances
Willie Mays – 12,496
Ken Griffey Jr. – 11,304
Batting Average
Willie Mays – .302
Ken Griffey Jr. – .284
Home Runs
Willie Mays – 660
Ken Griffey Jr. – 630
RBIs
Willie Mays – 1,903
Ken Griffey Jr. – 1,836
Hits
Willie Mays – 3,283
Ken Griffey Jr. – 2,781
Runs
Willie Mays – 2,062
Ken Griffey Jr. – 1,662
Doubles
Willie Mays – 523
Ken Griffey Jr. – 524
Triples
Willie Mays – 140
Ken Griffey Jr. – 38
Stolen Bases
Willie Mays – 338
Ken Griffey Jr. – 184
Walks
Willie Mays – 1,464
Ken Griffey Jr. – 1,312
Strikeouts
Willie Mays – 1,526
Ken Griffey Jr. – 1,779
On Base Percentage
Willie Mays – .384
Ken Griffey Jr. – .370
Slugging Percentage
Willie Mays – .557
Ken Griffey Jr. – .538
OPS
Willie Mays – .941
Ken Griffey Jr. – .907
OPS+
Willie Mays – 182
Ken Griffey Jr. – 136
WAR
Willie Mays – 156.2
Ken Griffey Jr. – 83.6
Regular Season Career Stats (Defense)
A baseball next to the player represents the winner of the comparison. A baseball next to both players means a tie.
Games
Willie Mays – 2,842
Ken Griffey Jr. – 2,382
Games Started
Willie Mays – 2,750
Ken Griffey Jr. – 2,348
Innings
Willie Mays – 24,426 2/3
Ken Griffey Jr. – 20,325
Fielding Percentage
Willie Mays – .981
Ken Griffey Jr. – .985
Double Plays
Willie Mays – 60
Ken Griffey Jr. – 43
Putouts
Willie Mays – 7,095
Ken Griffey Jr. – 5,606
Errors
Willie Mays – 141
Ken Griffey Jr. – 89
Playoff Career Stats
Games
Willie Mays – 25
Ken Griffey Jr. – 18
At Bats
Willie Mays – 89
Ken Griffey Jr. – 69
Plate Appearances
Willie Mays – 99
Ken Griffey Jr. – 79
Batting Average
Willie Mays – .247
Ken Griffey Jr. – .290
Home Runs
Willie Mays – 1
Ken Griffey Jr. – 6
RBIs
Willie Mays – 10
Ken Griffey Jr. – 11
Hits
Willie Mays – 22
Ken Griffey Jr. – 20
Runs
Willie Mays – 12
Ken Griffey Jr. – 12
On Base Percentage
Willie Mays – .323
Ken Griffey Jr. – .367
Doubles
Willie Mays – 5
Ken Griffey Jr. – 2
Slugging Percentage
Willie Mays – .337
Ken Griffey Jr. – .580
[poll id=”44″]