SF Giants legend Willie Mays passes away at age 93

Jun 18, 2024, 6:18 PM | Updated: Jun 19, 2024, 7:46 am

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 24: Hall of famer Willie Mays is seen on the field before the San Francisco Giants take on the Kansas City Royals during Game Three of the 2014 World Series at AT&T Park on October 24, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco Giants and the world of baseball have lost one of their pioneers, with Willie Mays passing away at the age of 93.

The Giants organization made the announcement via social media Tuesday afternoon, paying respect to the life of the hall-of-famer. The MLB has issued a statement on the passing of 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.

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. pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024

Willie Mays, known as “the Say Hey Kid”, was a baseball revolutionary, second behind only Babe Ruth as the greatest of all-time. He popularized the game in both the MLB and Negro League, mostly doing so for the New York/San Francisco Giants from 1951-1973. He started his career with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues in 1951. Mays would retire as a New York Met in ’73, but will be remembered mainly for his time with the Giants.

One of the greatest to ever play the game, Willie Mays hit 660 home runs, scored 2,068 runs and notched 3,293 hits while winning one World Series with the Giants (1954). He’s a 24-time All-Star and earned National League MVP titles in 1954 and 1965.

The Hall-of-Famer had been scheduled to attend a Negro League tribute at Rickwood Field this Thursday, with a game between the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals to follow that day. Mays had pulled out of the engagement Monday however, presumably due to health complications.

“I’m not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area,” Mays said in the 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.”