“You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream” - CC Sabathia pays tribute to legendary baseball icon Willie Mays 

Former baseball legend C.C. Sabathia took to social media to express his heartbreak about MLB great Willie Mays’ death on Tuesday. The former New York Yankees pitcher shared a heartfelt message on X/Twitter with a picture of him with the Hall of Famer, acknowledging Mays’ monumental impact on the sport.

"You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase out dream. Thank you for everyting you did on and off the field," Sabathia posted on X.

Willie Mays died at the age of 93 on Tuesday. Mays, whose career spanned over two decades, left an indelible mark on baseball, establishing himself as arguably the greatest center fielder in history. His legacy includes 24 All-Star selections, two National League MVP awards and 12 Gold Glove awards. He ranks sixth all-time in home runs and made "The Catch," an iconic moment in the 1954 World Series.

Many people from around the baseball world express their admiration for Willie Mays

Many people from the baseball world took to social media to express their admiration and pay their respects to Mays, including San Francisco Giants Chairman Greg Johnson, who remarked on Mays’ profound influence in a statement:

"In the pantheon of baseball greats, Willie Mays’ combination of tremendous talent, keen intellect, showmanship, and boundless joy set him apart. He was an inspiration and a hero who will be forever remembered and deeply missed."

Barry Bonds, Mays’ godson, also credited him with shaping his own illustrious career, further cementing Mays’ role as a mentor and icon.

Mays’ death is not only a loss for the baseball community but for the broader American sports culture. His influence extended beyond the diamond, inspiring generations of POC athletes, including Sabathia, to pursue their sporting dreams.

The upcoming Giants game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday – meant to honor Mays and the Negro Leagues – will now serve as a poignant memory of a legend whose legacy will continue to inspire for years to come.