Willie Mays dies at 93

Baseball legend Willie Mays, extensively thought-about among the best gamers within the sport’s historical past, has died, in accordance with the San Francisco Giants.

“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 workforce posted on X, previously Twitter, on Tuesday.

An announcement from Major League Baseball (MLB) stated it was “heartbroken” over the dying of “one of the most exciting all-around players in the history of our sport”.

Mays was twice declared the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and gained the World Series with the Giants in 1954.

Nicknamed the “Say Hey Kid”, the middle fielder was baseball’s oldest dwelling Hall of Famer.

His well-known catch in the course of the 1954 World Series stays probably the most iconic performs within the historical past of America’s so-called “National Pastime”.

In addition to his two MVP awards, he additionally completed within the prime 10 runner-ups for MVP 10 different instances.

Mays’ son, Michael, instructed the Associated Press that his father died within the presence of his household and wished to thank his followers for his or her years of assist.

“My father has handed away peacefully and amongst family members. I need to thanks all from the underside of my damaged coronary heart for the unwavering love you have got proven him over time,” he stated.

“You have been his life’s blood.”

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred additionally launched a press release describing his impression on the sport.

“His unimaginable achievements and statistics don’t start to explain the awe that got here with watching Willie Mays dominate the sport in each method possible,” he wrote.

“We will always remember this true Giant on and off the sphere.”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed stated in a press release that to people who grew up within the metropolis, “some things just go without question… Willie Mays is the best there ever was”.

California Governor Gavin Newsom additionally praised Mays as “more than just a baseball icon”.

“He broke barriers and inspired millions of Americans — setting records, bringing joy to countless fans, and becoming a role model for a generation of future athletes.”

Despite having not performed skilled sports activities for over 50 years, the MLB added 10 extra hits to his profession file earlier this month, after deciding to include statistics from the Negro League.

His file now stands at 3,293 hits, together with the 10 he hit for the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948.

On Monday, Mays stated he wouldn’t be capable of attend a sport in his honour that was scheduled for Thursday.

“I’m not capable of get to Birmingham this 12 months however will observe the sport again right here within the Bay Area,” Mays stated in a press release to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.

“My coronary heart shall be with all of you who’re honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who ought to all the time be remembered, together with all my teammates on the Black Barons.

“It’ll be a special occasion, and I hope the children will get pleasure from it and be impressed by it.”

Mays was born and raised in Westfield, Alabama, and commenced his skilled baseball profession whereas nonetheless in highschool in 1948.

He joined the New York Giants in 1950, and in 1951 hit 20 residence runs for the workforce as a 20-year-old.

After the 1951 season Mays was drafted into the US Army to serve within the Korean War.

After lacking the 1952 and 1953 seasons on account of his army service, he returned in 1954 to earn his first MVP award.

After the Giants moved from New York to San Francisco in 1954, he helped the workforce defeat Cleveland within the World Series.

The over-the-shoulder catch he made in the course of the sport helped the workforce cinch the win with a rating of 5-2 after 10 innings.

In 1972 he was traded to the New York Mets at the age of 41 the place he performed for 2 extra seasons earlier than retiring.