Baseball legend Willie Mays has passedaway at the age of 93, the San Francisco Giants revealed on Tuesday night.
The “Say Hey Kid” and famous center fielder is one of the finest to ever play the videogame, beginning his profession with the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro Leagues before making his MLB launching with the then-New York Giants in 1951.
Mays remained with the Giants throughout their relocation to San Francisco and played for the company from 1951 to1972 He was a 24 MLB All-Star, made 12 Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series with the Giants in 1954.
He played for the New York Mets throughout the last 2 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 Hall of Fame in1979 He made the MLB’s All-Century Team and its All-Time Team, sealing his status as an ironclad titan of baseball. In reality, the World Series’ MVP Award is called after Mays.
His death comes simply 2 days before the Giants play the St. Louis Cardinals at the historical Rickwood Field in Birmingham, where Mays began his baseball profession. Mays wasn’t slated to participatein Thursday’s videogame. However, he released a declaration to discuss his lack on Monday.
“I’m not able to get to Birmingham this year however will follow the videogame back here in the Bay Area. My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who must constantly be keptinmind, consistingof all my colleagues on the Black Barons,” Mays shared in his declaration. “I desired to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who’ll be at Rickwood or viewing the videogame. It’ll be a unique day, and I hope the kids will delightin it and be motivated by it.”
League commissioner Rob Manfred honored Mays as one of the finest to ever play the sport after news broke of his death.
“His unbelievable accomplishments and stats do not start to explain the wonder that came with enjoying Willie Mays control the videogame in every method possible,” Manfred stated in a declaration. “We will neverever forget this real Giant on and off the field.”
It is with terrific unhappiness that we reveal that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away quietly this afternoon at the age of93 pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024
We are sad to findout of the passing of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the most amazing well-rounded gamers 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
Tributes instantly put in for Mays, one of the undisputed Mt. Rushmore figures in baseball history.
My heart is broken. All our hearts are broken. The world lost an outright hero and treasure. The terrific Willie Mays, a pal to all, passedaway today. Peacefully. Two days before the huge day at Rickwood Field. Greatest, most interesting gamer ever. He altered the world. He was 93.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey