Baseball legend Willie Mays has died on the age of 93, the San Francisco Giants introduced on Tuesday night.
The “Say Hey Child” and legendary heart fielder is likely one of the greatest to ever play the sport, beginning his profession with the Birmingham Black Barons within the Negro Leagues earlier than making his MLB debut with the then-New York Giants in 1951.
Mays stayed with the Giants throughout their transfer to San Francisco and performed for the group from 1951 to 1972. He was a 24 MLB All-Star, earned 12 Gold Glove Awards and gained a World Sequence with the Giants in 1954.
He performed for the New York Mets over the last two years of his MLB profession in 1972 and 1973.
Mays’ No. 24 jersey is retired by the Giants and Mets, and he was inducted into the Baseball Corridor of Fame in 1979. He made the MLB’s All-Century Group and its All-Time Group, cementing his standing as an ironclad titan of baseball. In actual fact, the World Sequence’ MVP Award is known as after Mays.
His demise comes simply two days earlier than the Giants play the St. Louis Cardinals on the historic Rickwood Area in Birmingham, the place Mays began his baseball profession. Mays wasn’t slated to attend Thursday’s recreation. Nevertheless, he issued a press release to elucidate his absence on Monday.
“I’m not capable of get to Birmingham this yr however will observe the sport again right here within the Bay Space. My coronary heart shall be with all of you who’re honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who ought to all the time be remembered, together with all my teammates on the Black Barons,” Mays shared in his assertion. “I wished to thank Main League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all of the followers who’ll be at Rickwood or watching the sport. It’ll be a big day, and I hope the children will take pleasure in it and be impressed by it.”
League commissioner Rob Manfred honored Mays as top-of-the-line to ever play the game after information broke of his demise.
“His unbelievable achievements and statistics don’t start to explain the awe that got here with watching Willie Mays dominate the sport in each means conceivable,” Manfred mentioned in a press release. “We are going to always remember this true Large on and off the sector.”
It’s with nice unhappiness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Corridor of Famer Willie Mays handed away peacefully this afternoon on the age of 93. pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024
We’re heartbroken to study of the passing of Corridor of Famer Willie Mays, one of the crucial thrilling all-around gamers within the historical past of our sport.
Mays was a two-time MVP, 24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In… pic.twitter.com/kOqxNnetg7
— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2024
Tributes instantly poured in for Mays, one of many unquestioned Mt. Rushmore figures in baseball historical past.
My coronary heart is damaged. All our hearts are damaged. The world misplaced an absolute hero and treasure. The fantastic Willie Mays, a buddy to all, died right now. Peacefully. Two days earlier than the large day at Rickwood Area. Best, most enjoyable participant ever. He modified the world. He was 93.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) June 19, 2024
Relaxation in peace, Willie Mays. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/oREXMou3lb
— The Gamers’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) June 19, 2024
The most effective gamers to have ever performed the sport. Relaxation In Peace, Willie Mays pic.twitter.com/pSqNFPhBDK
— MetsAvenue (@MetsAvenue) June 19, 2024
At all times cherished this picture https://t.co/Y87bO5IfyW pic.twitter.com/OudOgEGjky
— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) June 19, 2024
RIP Willie Mays the Say Hey Child 🙏….right here he’s enjoying stickball in NYC pic.twitter.com/6oqoOC8fTt https://t.co/NIg8BgvK8n
— Wu Tang is for the Kids (@WUTangKids) June 19, 2024
The uncommon athlete who was described as a god if you had been a child, and you then develop up and notice he was means higher than even the legend indicated. https://t.co/TLnRdppf7p
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) June 19, 2024
one of many coolest athletes you find out about rising up as a sports activities fan. earlier than the Nats got here to Washington, I used to be a Giants fan due to him and Barry. RIP. https://t.co/FsRZKslgRf
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) June 19, 2024
Heartbreaking
Willie Mays is my mom’s hero. I’m the place I’m right now due to how he captivated her from a younger age. His pleasure for the sport impressed her, and she or he handed that love on to me.
Baseball is so impactful due to what it means to generations ♥️ https://t.co/q7Z92JyfAl
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 19, 2024
There have been nice ballplayers, Corridor of Famers, even first-ballot Corridor of Famers. However Willie was one thing else fully: one of some males for whom you may construct a reputable case as The Best Baseball Participant Who Ever Lived. Could his legacy endure so long as the sport does. https://t.co/zZp8HyUmt2
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) June 19, 2024
💔 RIP Willie Mays. Thanks for all you probably did for baseball and past. https://t.co/HE7TnCYupH
— Amy Gutierrez (@amygmultimedia) June 19, 2024
A legend in each sense. Could he relaxation in peace. https://t.co/1U6NCAMlnk
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) June 19, 2024
We be part of the Giants and all the baseball neighborhood in mourning the passing of considered one of baseball’s greatest icons.
Our ideas are together with his family members 🧡💜 https://t.co/jo0gXPkXwK
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 19, 2024
“Heroes get remembered, legends by no means die.” RIP to the best baseball participant who ever lived. https://t.co/rvoVkfCGXx
— Anthony Garcia (@SportsAnthony) June 19, 2024
Relaxation in peace, Willie Mays. 🙏⚾️ https://t.co/VCdBD5Yosx pic.twitter.com/wkItbpJq2m
— Ken Gelman (@kengfunk) June 19, 2024
