Baseball Legend Willie Mays Dies

Baseball legend Willie Mays has died at the age of 92.

In a statement to the press, the son of Willie Mays, Michael Mays, shared, “My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones.”

“I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood, added Michael Mays.

Mays started his career in the Negro Leagues in 1948 and was later signed to the San FrnasisconGiants in 1951.

In over 22 MLB seasons with the New York/San Francisco Giants, Mays had an impressive .302 batting average, 660 home runs, 3,283 hits, and won 12 Gold Gloves.

May also served in the U.S. Army after being drafted for the Korean War.

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the most exciting all-around players in the history 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

24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glover, 2-time MVP, World Series champion, Hall of Famer.

MLB Network mourns the passing of one of our game’s most iconic figures, Willie Mays. pic.twitter.com/gQLCnbm2lN

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 19, 2024

Per The Associated Press:

Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93.

Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night he had died earlier in the afternoon in the Bay Area.

“My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” son Michael Mays said in a statement released by the club. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.”

The center fielder, who began his professional career in the Negro Leagues in 1948, was baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer. He was voted into the Hall in 1979, his first year of eligibility, and in 1999 followed only Babe Ruth on The Sporting News’ list of the game’s top stars. The Giants retired his uniform number, 24, and set their AT&T Park in San Francisco on Willie Mays Plaza.

Mays died two days before a game between the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals to honor the Negro Leagues at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024

Per BBC:

The baseball world has saluted the achievements of Willie Mays, widely considered one of the sport’s best ever players, after his death at age 93.
Mays was twice declared the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and won the World Series with the New York Giants in 1954.

His famous catch during the championship remains one of the most iconic plays ever seen in America’s so-called “national pastime”.

In addition to his on-field achievements, Mays embodied an attitude of “just keep playing and having fun”, one former player told the BBC.

Nicknamed the “Say Hey Kid”, the centre fielder had been baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer.

His death was announced “with great sadness” on Tuesday by his former team, who are now the San Francisco Giants.

Mays’s son, Michael, told the Associated Press that his father died in the presence of his family and wished to thank his fans for their years of support.