AN MLB broadcaster was emotional after announcing the death of the iconic Willie Mays.
The baseball commentator revealed a statement concerning Mays' death at age 93 during a special MiLB game at Birmingham's Rickwood Field, where he was set to be honored this week.
The San Francisco Giants, where Mays spent much of his 23-year MLB career, announced the news in an X post on Tuesday night.
"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 news reached Rickwood Field where Mays played in the Negro Leagues as MLB broadcaster Rich Waltz was on the TV call of the Double-A Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox) playing against the Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays).
"It’s with heavy heart that I read this statement," Waltz said while struggling.
After revealing the Giants' statement regarding Mays' death, Waltz made sure to tell TV viewers that the iconic ballplayer was one of the focuses of Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball's four-day event in Birmingham, Alabama.
"And here we are in a celebration in a ballpark where he got his start as a 17-year-old with the Black Barrons," Waltz emotionally said.
"And they won the Negro League American League."
Mays' death came a day after it was announced that he wouldn't be in attendance at Thursday's game between the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field.
The game will be played at the 114-year-old venue to honor the Negro League and hundred of the league's former players, including the late Mays.
"I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area," Mays revealed in a statement.
"My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons.
"I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who'll be at Rickwood or watching the game.
"It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."
Mays started his professional career in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League.
In 1951, Mays made his MLB debut for the then-New York Giants and was called on to serve in the US Army, missing most of the 1952 and all of the 1953 season.
He returned in 1954 and "The Say Hey Kid" went on to make 24 All-Star appearances, earn 12 Gold Gloves and NL MVP awards as well as win a World Series championship.
Mays is regarded as one of the all-time greats of the sport as many MLB broadcasters shared the news of his death on live television on Tuesday night.
Among them was Giants' play-by-play announcer Jon Miller, who was stunned by the development and mentioned Mays' longtime tenure with the Giants and his history with the upcoming MLB game at Birmingham's Rickwood Field before announcing the MLB team's statement.
"We are very sad now to relay this information that has just been released by the Giants," Miller said.
"That the great Willie Mays has passed away. Passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93."
During the Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field, public address announcer Jeremiah Paprocki shared the news of Mays’ death, with his image displayed on the video board before holding a moment of silence for his passing.
