According to the San Francisco Giants, baseball icon Willie Mays, who was regarded by many as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, passed away. The organization said on X, previously Twitter, on Tuesday, "It is with deep sorrow that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend as well as Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away comfortably this afternoon at the age of 93."
Major League Baseball (MLB) released a statement expressing its "heartbreak" at the passing of "one of the most exciting all-around players in our sport's history." Mays into the race won the 1954 World Series with the Giants and was twice named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The center fielder, known by his nickname "Say Hey Kid," was the oldest active Hall of Famer in baseball. His amazing grab during the 1954 World Series is still regarded as one of the most memorable moments in the annals of America's fabled "National Pastime." Apart from winning two MVP awards, he also placed among the top 10 finalists for the MVP award ten more times.
Michael, the son of Mays, told the Associated Press that his father passed away in front of his family and expressed gratitude to his supporters for their years of encouragement. "My father died quietly, surrounded by those he loved. He remarked, "I want to thank you all for the unwavering love you have demonstrated him over the years from the bottom of my broken heart." "You have been the blood of his life." Additionally, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement outlining his influence on the sport.
He added, "Willie Mays dominated the game in every way imaginable. His incredible achievements as well as statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came while watching Willie Mays." "On and off the field, we is going to never forget this true Giant." In a statement, San Francisco Mayor London Breed remarked that "some things just go without question... Willie Mays is the best there ever was" for those who grew up in the city. Mays was lauded by California Governor Gavin Newsom as "more than just a baseball icon". "He broke barriers and inspired multitudes of Americans — setting records, bringing joy to countless fans, as well as becoming a role model for a generation of future athletes."
The MLB decided to use data from the Negro League earlier this month, adding 10 extra hits to his career record even though he hasn't played professional sports in almost 50 years. Including the ten hits he scored with the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948, his record now stands at 3,293 hits. Mays said on Monday that he will be unable to make it to a game on Thursday that was meant to be in his honor. Mays told the San Francisco Chronicle, "I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year, nevertheless I will follow the game back here in the Bay Area."
"My heart goes out to all of you who are paying tribute to the Negro League baseball players—including all of my Black Barons teammates—who deserve to be remembered forever."I hope the children will find the day enjoyable and inspirational since it will be a memorable one. Mays grew up in Westfield, Alabama, and started playing professional baseball in 1948 when he was still a high school student. In 1951, at the age of twenty, he hit twenty home runs for the New York Giants after joining the organization in 1950.
Mays was recruited into the US Army to fight in the Korean War after the 1951 season.
Due to his military duty, he missed the 1952 and 1953 seasons. However, he returned in 1954 and won his first MVP title. He assisted the Giants in their 1954 World Series victory against Cleveland after their 1954 transfer from New York to San Francisco. He made an over-the-shoulder catch throughout the game, which helped the team win 5-2 after ten innings. He was dealt to the New York Mets in 1972, and after playing for two more seasons, he retired, he was 41 years old.
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