The baseball legend is confirmed by San Francisco Giants and Major League Baseball to have passed away at 93 years old, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and American culture.
- Jun 19, 2024
AceShowbiz - Willie Howard Mays, nicknamed "The Say Hey Kid," has passed away peacefully at the age of 93. The San Francisco Giants and Major League Baseball have confirmed his death on Tuesday, June 18, 2022.
"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," the Giants' official statement read.
"My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones," Mays' son, Michael Mays, told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Mays was born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama. He played center field for the New York and San Francisco Giants for 22 seasons, leading the National League in stolen bases four times and winning two MVP awards. He retired in 1973 with 660 home runs, third most at the time of his retirement, and 3,283 hits, good for 11th on the all-time list.
Mays was known for his acrobatic fielding and his signature "basket catch," which he executed in the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. He was also a five-tool player, known for his speed, power, fielding, hitting, and throwing.
Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first try in 1979, Mays was voted Number 8 on ESPN's list of the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2015.
Mays is survived by son Michael and godson Barry Bonds, the retired baseball player and child of his former Giants teammate and close friend, Bobby Bonds.
"I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion. I have no words to describe what you mean to me- you helped shape me to be who I am today," Bonds wrote on Instagram. "Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug for me. Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever."
Mays' death has sparked an outpouring of tributes and condolences from the baseball world and beyond. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement, "His incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable. We will never forget this true Giant on and off the field."
Willie Mays' legacy will continue to inspire generations of baseball players and fans for years to come. His impact on the game and his status as an American icon will forever be remembered.
