Willie Mays death updates — San Francisco Giants legend dead at 93 as tributes flood in
SAN Francisco Giants legendary outfielder Willie Mays has died at the age of 93, the team announced this evening.
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 team announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Mays played in the MLB for 22 seasons and recorded over 3,000 hits and won 12 consecutive Gold Gloves.
Tributes have flooded in for the legend with one fan writing, "My heart is broken. All our hearts are broken. The world lost an absolute hero and treasure.
"The wonderful Willie Mays, a friend to all, died today. Peacefully. Two days before the big day at Rickwood Field. Greatest, most exciting player ever."
Follow our Willie Mays death blog for news and updates...
Former MLB pitcher pays tribute
MLB pitcher CC Sabathia has taken to X, formerly known as Twitter to share some kind words about the late Willie Mays.
"I’ll never forget this day when I walked in and heard, “That’s that boy who wears his hat like this.”
"RIP Willie Mays. You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream.
"Thank you for everything that you did on and off the field. Always in our hearts," Sabathia wrote.
Willie Mays' impressive statistics and accolades
Below are some of Willie Mays' statistics and achievements from his MLB career.
- 2,068 runs
- 3,293 hits
- 660 home runs
- 24-time All-Star
- 12-time Gold Glove Award winner
- Two-time National League MVP
- 1954 World Series Champion
Mays was going to miss game at Negro League venue
News of Mays' passing came a day after it was announced that he would not be attending Thursday's game between the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals at the historic Rickwood Field.
The game will be played at the 114-year-old venue to honor the Negro League, as per ESPN.
"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."
Who did Willie Mays play for?
Willie Mays played for two teams during his MLB career including:
- New York/San Francisco Giants
- New York Mets
Mets owner honors Mays
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and his wife Alex also released a statement commemorating one of their franchise's all-time greats.
"Willie Mays was one of the greatest to ever play the game," they said.
"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.
"On behalf of our entire organization, we send our thoughts and prayers to Willie’s family and friends."
Lakers icon honors Mays
Sporting icon and NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson also took to X to share his condolences.
"I'm devastated to hear about the passing of the legendary Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the main reasons I fell in love with baseball," he wrote.
"Cookie and I are praying for his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time."
Oldest living Hall-of-Famer
Mays was the oldest living baseball Hall of Famer.
His cause of death has not been made public.
Mays began his professional career in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League.
Following a brief spell in the minor leagues, Mays made his MLB debut for the then-New York Giants in 1951.
He went on to serve in the US Army, missing much of the 1952 season, and all of 1953 before returning.
Mays subsequently played 20 straight seasons, following the Giants as they moved to San Francisco in 1958.
MLB Commissioner releases statement
Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement following the news of Willie Mays' death.
"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," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
Manfred went on to call Mays a "true Giant on and off the field."
"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Willie's family, his friends across our game, Giants fans everywhere, and his countless admirers across the world.
"Thursday's game at historic Rickwood Field was designed to be a celebration of Willie Mays and his peers.
"With sadness in our hearts, it will now also serve as a national remembrance of an American who will forever remain on the short list of the most impactful individuals our great game has ever known."
Revisit the career of Willie Mays
Fans can revisit Willie's career in his eponymous documentary titled Say Hey, Willie Mays!
That Tuesday, the feature premiered at 9 pm EST on HBO and will be available on HBO Max.
Regarding the documentary, the Hall of Famer told Deadline: "Some say that throughout my life I have inspired others, but the truth is that so many have done this for me.
"My teammates, my friends, and of course the fans mean so much to me.
"So I hope this documentary can give back to all of them something enjoyable and inspiring in return."
More on Mays
He stuck with the SF Giants for 20 years until he was traded to the opposite coast.
In May 1972, the team traded him to the NY Mets in exchange for late pitcher Charlie Williams.
On September 20, 1973, Willie retired from the MLB and announced that year's baseball season was his last.
His retirement from the league followed a career that spanned 22 total seasons.
Get to know Willie Mays
Born on May 6, 1931, Willie Mays is an American baseball player from Westfield, Alabama.
Baseball fans also refer to him by the nicknames "The Say Hey Kid" and "Buck."
In 1948, he was drafted by the Negro American League as a player for the Birmingham Black Barons.
On May 24, 1951, the MLB selected Willie to play centerfield for the New York Giants, who have since rebranded as the San Francisco Giants.
MLB Network mourns Mays
MLB Network has paid tribute to the Giants legend on their X account.
"24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glover, 2-time MVP, World Series champion, Hall of Famer.
"MLB Network mourns the passing of one of our game’s most iconic figures, Willie Mays, the network wrote.
MLB pays tribute
Major League Baseball has taken to its official X account to honor the late Willie Mays.
"We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the most exciting all-around players in the history of our sport.
"Mays was a two-time MVP, 24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"In commemoration of "The Catch" as perhaps the most famous play in the history of the Fall Classic, the World Series MVP Award was named in his honor in 2017.
"Mays was 93 years old," the league wrote.
Tributes flood in
Fans from all over are paying tribute to Willie Mays after learning he died this afternoon.
Willie Mays dead at 93
San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays has died at the age of 93, the team announced this evening.
"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 team wrote.