Baseball Icon Willie Mays Passes Away at 93
Baseball legend Willie Mays, often hailed as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, has died at the age of 93, as confirmed by the San Francisco Giants.
“With profound sadness, we announce that Willie Mays, our beloved Giants legend and Hall of Famer, passed away peacefully this afternoon at 93,” the team shared on X on Tuesday.
Major League Baseball (MLB) expressed its sorrow in a statement, calling Mays “one of the most thrilling and versatile players our sport has ever seen.”
Mays, a two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) award winner, led the Giants to a World Series victory in 1954. Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays was celebrated as baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer. His remarkable catch in the 1954 World Series remains one of the most unforgettable moments in baseball history.
In addition to his two MVP titles, Mays was among the top 10 MVP candidates in 10 other seasons. His son, Michael, told the Associated Press that Mays passed away surrounded by family and conveyed his gratitude to his fans for their unwavering support.
“My father passed away peacefully among loved ones. I want to express my deepest thanks for the endless love you’ve shown him over the years,” Michael said. “You were the source of his passion.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also paid tribute, highlighting Mays’ monumental impact on the game. “His astounding achievements and stats barely capture the wonder of witnessing Willie Mays’ unparalleled prowess on the field,” Manfred wrote. “We will forever remember this true Giant, both on and off the diamond.”
Despite retiring from professional baseball over five decades ago, Mays’ career was recently re-evaluated to include his performance in the Negro Leagues. This adjustment added 10 hits to his record, bringing his career total to 3,293 hits, including those he made for the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948.
Mays had announced on Monday that he would be unable to attend a game in his honor scheduled for Thursday. “While I won’t be able to make it to Birmingham this year, I will be following the game from the Bay Area,” Mays stated to the San Francisco Chronicle. “My heart is with everyone honoring Negro League players, who deserve to be remembered, especially my Black Barons teammates. It will be a special day, and I hope the kids will find inspiration in it,” he added.
