The San Francisco Giants have announced the death of Willie Mays at age 93.
In a statement on X on Tuesday, the Giants said: “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.”
One of the greatest to ever play the game, Mays hit 660 home runs, scored 2,068 runs and had 3,293 hits while winning a World Series with the Giants (1954). He was a 24-time All-Star and earned National League Most Valuable Player titles in 1954 and 1965.
The center fielder was the oldest living Hall of Famer in baseball. His signature basket catches and runs around the bases with his cap flying epitomized the joy of the game. His over-the-shoulder catch on a long drive in the 1954 World Series is baseball’s most celebrated defensive feat.
Mays had said in a statement Monday that he would not attend Thursday’s game between the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals that will honor him and the Negro Leagues at Rickwood Field, Alabama.
The former Giants great began his career with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues before joining the Giants in 1951 in an iconic major league career that lasted more than two decades.
It is with great sadness that we announce that Willie Mays, San Francisco Giants legend and Hall of Famer, passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024
“I won’t be able to go to Birmingham this year, but I will be following the game here in the Bay Area,” Mays said in the statement. ‘My heart will go out to all of you who honor the Negro League players who should always be remembered, including all of my Black Barons teammates.
‘I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who will be in Rickwood or watching the game. “It will be a special day and I hope the children enjoy it and feel inspired.”
The game will inevitably now take on even more significance with the news of his death.
The Giants reported that Michael Mays, Willie’s son, said: “My father passed away peacefully and among my loved ones.” I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown over the years. You have been the blood of his life.
The announcement of his death came while his Giants team was playing the Cubs in Chicago.
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