Baseball legend Willie Mays, widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of the game, has died, the San Francisco Giants report.
“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 posted on X on Tuesday.
Major League Baseball (MLB) said in a statement that it was “heartbroken” by the death of “one of the most exciting all-around players in the history of baseball.”
Mays was twice named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and won the World Series with the Giants in 1954.
The center fielder nicknamed “Say Hey Kid” is the oldest member of the Hall of Fame in baseball history.
His famous catch in the 1954 World Series remains one of the most iconic plays in the history of America’s so-called “national pastime.”
In addition to winning the MVP award twice, he was a runner-up in the MVP top 10 an additional 10 times.
Mays’ son Michael told The Associated Press that his father died in the presence of his family and wanted to thank his fans for their support over the years.
He said: “My father passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the unwavering love you showed him over the years.”
“You are his life blood.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also released a statement describing his legendary impact on the game.
“His incredible accomplishments and statistics don’t begin to describe the awe that comes from watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable,” he wrote.
“We will never forget this true giant on and off the field.”
Although he hasn’t played professional sports in more than 50 years, MLB added 10 more hits to his career record earlier this month after deciding to include Negro Leagues statistics.
His current record stands at 3,293 hits, including 10 in 1948 for the Birmingham Black Barons.
On Monday, Mays said he would not be able to play in a game scheduled for him on Thursday.
“I won’t be able to travel to Birmingham this year, but will be back in the Bay Area to follow the game,” Mays said in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“My heart goes out to all of you who paid tribute to the Negro Leagues players who should always be remembered, including all of my teammates on the Black Barons.
“It will be a special day and I hope the children will enjoy it and be inspired by it,” he added.
Stay tuned with us for more on this big story.
