San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays died at the age of 93, the club announced Tuesday, while the cause of death is yet unknown. Arguably considered the best of all time, Mays was a two-time MVP, a 24-time All-Star, a 12-time Gold Glove Award winner and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom:
"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 Giants said in a statement on X/Twitter.
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In 1948, Mays played for the Negro League's Birmingham Black Barons. He helped the team to the Negro World Series, where they were defeated 4-1 by the Homestead Grays.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed his condolences and listed Mays' pioneering accomplishments:
"All of Major League Baseball is in mourning today as we are gathered at the very ballpark where a career and a legacy like no other began," Manfred said in a statement Tuesday evening.
"Willie Mays took his all-around brilliance from the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League to the historic Giants franchise. From coast to coast in New York and San Francisco, Willie inspired generations of players and fans as the game grew and truly earned its place as our National Pastime."
Mays was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, in his first year of eligibility, receiving 97.4% of the voting.
Willie Mays said he won't make it to Birmingham to attend Negro League Tribute Game
Willie Mays was among many Negro League players who were supposed to get honored this Thursday at MLB's oldest professional ballpark – Alabama's Rickwood Field – ahead of the game between the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
However, Mays issued a statement that he would be missing the game due to health reasons, but said he would enjoy it from his couch in the Bay Area (via NBA Bay Area):
“I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area,” Mays said on Monday.
“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. I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who'll be at Rickwood or watching the game. It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it.
“I'd like to be there, but I don't move as well as I used to. So I'm going to watch from my home," he added.
Willie Mays was one of those rare talents who could bat on a high batting clip, had the power to smash dingers regularly, could round up the bases with speed and field and throw the ball as well as any. Over his storied career, he batted .301, blasted 660 home runs, had 3,293 hits, accounted for 1,909 RBIs and scored 2,068 runs.
