Willie Mays, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93.
Mays’ Major League Baseball career spanned from 1951-1973. The majority of it was spent playing for the San Francisco Giants (New York Giants until 1958). He finished his career with the New York Mets from 1972-1973.
The Giants announced Mays’ passing on X (formerly Twitter). Jon Miller also shared the sad news during the broadcast of Tuesday’s game between the Giants and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
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
“We are very sad now to relay this information that has just been released by the Giants. That the great Willie Mays has passed away. Passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93.”
Jon Miller announces the passing of the legendary Willie Mays. pic.twitter.com/p8s6MNszZw
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 19, 2024
MLB also issued a statement on his passing, saying “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.”
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… pic.twitter.com/kOqxNnetg7
— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2024
Mays’ achievements in MLB include but are not limited to:
- Two-time National League MVP
- 1951 National League Rookie of the Year
- 12-time Gold Glove Winner
- 24-time All-Star
- 3,293 hits
- 660 home runs
- Hall of Fame class of 1979, his first year of eligibility.
The Giants and St. Louis Cardinals are scheduled to play on Thursday at historic Rickwood Field. Mays, an Alabama native, played at that stadium as a member of the Birmingham Black Barons, a Negro Leagues team, in 1948.
Just one day before his passing, Mays released a statement through the Giants announcing that he would not be able to attend the game.
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