Early Days

Willie Aikens: A Life in Baseball

Early Days

Willie Mays Aikens was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 14, 1954. A gifted athlete from a young age, he excelled in baseball, basketball, and track and field. He was offered a full scholarship to play baseball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), but chose to sign with the Kansas City Royals after being drafted in the first round of the 1975 Major League Baseball draft.

Major League Career

Aikens made his major league debut with the Royals in 1977 and quickly established himself as a power hitter. In 1980, he helped lead the Royals to their first World Series title, hitting four home runs and driving in eight runs in the four-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. He also earned a spot on the American League All-Star team that year.

Aikens played for eight seasons in the major leagues, finishing with 110 home runs, 413 runs batted in, and a batting average of .275. He played for the Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox before retiring after the 1984 season.

Post-Baseball Career

After retiring from baseball, Aikens struggled with substance abuse and legal issues. He was convicted of cocaine possession in 1985 and spent 16 months in prison. He has since turned his life around and now works as a motivational speaker and counselor, sharing his story of addiction and redemption.

Willie Aikens is a reminder that even those who achieve great success can face challenges in life. His story is a testament to the power of second chances and the importance of never giving up on yourself.