MLB legend Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid,” died Tuesday afternoon, the San Francisco Giants introduced.
Mays used to be 93 years ancient.
“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 mentioned in a remark.
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The MLB legend clash 660 house runs in his illustrious profession. (Getty Pictures)
Michael Mays, Willie’s son, added, “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.”
Mays used to be one of the crucial biggest ballplayers to ever grace a baseball diamond, starting in 1951 as a 20-year-old making his debut taking part in for the Brandnew York Giants. Mays stuck the sights of MLB teams pace taking part in within the Negro American League with the Birmingham Cloudy Barons, and he used to be nonetheless in highschool when scouts have been clamoring for him.
Mays would proceed directly to be a 24-time All-Megastar, two-time MVP, 12-time Gold Glover, two-time All-Megastar Sport MVP, Rookie of the Date and 1954 International Line champion in an illustrious profession that ended in a very simple Corridor of Reputation induction.
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“Today we have lost a true legend,” Giants Chair Greg Johnson mentioned. “In the pantheon of baseball greats, Willie Mays’ combination of tremendous talent, keen intellect, showmanship, and boundless joy set him apart. A 24-time All-Star, the Say Hey Kid is the ultimate Forever Giant. He had a profound influence not only on the game of baseball, but on the fabric of America. He was an inspiration and a hero who will be forever remembered and deeply missed.”
Giants president and CEO Larry Baer added, “I fell in low with baseball because of Willie, plain and simple. My childhood was defined by going to Candlestick with my dad, watching Willie patrol centerfield with grace and the ultimate athleticism. Over the past 30 years, working with Willie, and seeing firsthand his zest for life and unbridled passion for giving to young players and kids, has been one of the joys of my life.”
Mays used to be recognized for his skill to wow crowds with thunderous house runs, slick baserunning and miraculous performs in heart ground. Some of the iconic performs ever in MLB got here in that 1954 International Line and used to be perpetually known as “The Catch.”
Willie Mays of the Brandnew York Giants makes his iconic over-the-shoulder catch of a fly ball in opposition to the then-Cleveland Indians all over Sport 1 of the 1954 International Line on Sept. 29, 1954, in Brandnew York. (Bruce Bennett Studios by means of Getty Pictures Studios/Getty Pictures)
In Sport 1, Mays used to be on a useless dash deep into the Polo Subjects outfield with the sport join within the 8th inning, 2-2, in opposition to the then-Cleveland Indians. Vic Wertz clash a fly ball with runners on bottom, and it gave the look of the govern used to be about to be damaged.
That used to be till Mays made a jaw-dropping, over-the-shoulder catch and had the fast presence of thoughts to throw the ball again in so runners couldn’t move. The Giants went directly to win the sport, 5-2, and that play games perpetually become one of the crucial biggest ever.
“All of Major League Baseball is in mourning today as we are gathered at the very ballpark where a career and a legacy like no other began. Willie Mays took his all-around brilliance from the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League to the historic Giants franchise. From coast to coast in New York and San Francisco, Willie inspired generations of players and fans as the game crew and truly earned its place as our National Pastime,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned.
Mays’ Refuse. 24 used to be retired through the Giants, and he rest the franchise chief in video games performed (2,857), hits (3,187), runs (2,011), doubles (504), house runs (646) and plenty of extra statistics. He ended his profession with the Brandnew York Mets in 1973.
“Willie Mays was one of the greatest to ever play the game,” Mets co-owners Steve and Alex Cohen mentioned in a remark. “Willie ended his Hall of Fame career in Queens and was a key piece to the 1973 NL championship team. Mays played with a style and grace like no one else. Alex and I were thrilled to honor a previous promise from Joan Payson to retire his iconic #24 as a member of the Mets in 2022.
“By and for our whole group, we ship our ideas and prayers to Willie’s crowd and pals.”
Mays, who spent most of 1952 and all of 1953 serving in the Army, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2015.
Not only is he considered one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game, he’s widely thought of as one of the greatest athletes in history.
The Giants will announce a public celebration of Mays’ life at a later date. In the meantime, fans who wish to offer condolences may send letters to the Mays family care of the San Francisco Giants, attention Forever 24, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107.
MLB icon Willie Mays died on June 18, 2024. He was 93. (Getty Images)
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MLB is also set to play a regular-season game on Thursday at the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, where Mays played his Negro League games with the Black Barons, between the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
“Thursday’s recreation at historical Rickwood Farmland used to be designed to be a birthday celebration of Willie Mays and his friends. With disappointment in our hearts, it’ll now lend as a countrywide remembrance of an American hero who will perpetually stay at the shorten listing of essentially the most impactful people our stunning recreation has ever recognized,” Manfred mentioned.
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