The baseball community, encompassing both fans and players alike, united in a poignant blend of mourning and celebration on Tuesday, as they honored the legacy of Major League Baseball legend Willie Mays, who passed away peacefully at the age of 93.
The San Francisco Giants, the franchise with which Mays spent the majority of his illustrious career, shared the somber news on the social media platform X, prompting an immediate and widespread expression of grief and respect.
Willie Mays, often revered as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, received a profound tribute from icons across the sports world. Esteemed former MLB players such as Derek Jeter, Jose Canseco, CC Sabathia, and Frank Thomas, among others, took to social media to express their admiration and respect for Mays, each sharing personal anecdotes and messages highlighting his impact both on and off the field.
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As the news of Mays’ passing spread, several MLB teams were in the midst of their scheduled games.
This unique timing allowed for instant on-air tributes by broadcasters, adding a layer of immediacy to the collective homage. Jon Miller, a longtime announcer for the Giants, solemnly relayed the news to viewers, while Keith Hernandez, a former MVP and Mets broadcaster who entered the majors shortly after Mays retired, shared a poignant memory of his interaction with the beloved “Say Hey Kid.”
Willie Mays’ storied career is marked by a staggering array of achievements. Over his more than two-decade-long tenure in the MLB, Mays was selected for 24 All-Star Games, captured two National League MVP awards, and led the league in home runs four times.
His standout 1954 season, during which he clinched his first MVP title, also saw him winning the batting title.
Mays began his major league journey with the Giants in New York before the team relocated to San Francisco in 1958. He continued to dazzle fans with his extraordinary skills until he was traded to the New York Mets in the middle of the 1972 season.
After retiring following the 1973 season at the age of 42, both the Giants and Mets retired his jersey number in honor of his profound contributions to the sport.
Before ascending to the major leagues, Mays showcased his talents with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, setting the stage for his legendary MLB career. He was scheduled to be honored at a tribute game organized between the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama—a nod to both Mays and the history of the Negro Leagues. Mays, an Alabama native, had planned to attend but decided instead to watch the game from his home in San Francisco, just a day before his passing.
The outpouring of love and respect for Willie Mays from across the baseball world underscores the indelible mark he left on the sport and its community, his legacy celebrated by generations past and those to come.