Willie Mays, the legendary baseball player famous as the “Say Hey Kid,” has passed away at the age of 93.
The ex center fielder for the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets passed away peacefully on June 18, as announced by the San Francisco Giants and Major League Baseball (MLB).
“It is with great sorrow that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays died peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93,” read a statement from the Giants.
Mays’ son, Michael Mays, also expressed his sorrow: “My father has died 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.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred praised Mays’ impact on the game and his legacy: “His amazing 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.”
Born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama, Mays started his baseball career with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League.
He was signed by the Giants in 1950 and quickly made a name for himself, earning the National League’s Rookie of the Year award in 1951 with 20 home runs.
Over his 21-season career, Mays accumulated 660 home runs, 3,283 hits, 24 All-Star selections, 2 National League MVP awards, and 12 consecutive Gold Glove Awards.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Willie Mays’ legacy is deeply ingrained in the history of baseball.
His No. 24 jersey was retired by both the Giants and the Mets.
“I can never forget the way it felt to return to New York to play for all the loyal Mets fans,” Mays said in a statement read by Howie Rose during the Mets’ Old-Timers’ Day celebration in 2022.