Baseball Legend Willie Mays, “Say Hey Kid,” Passes Away at Age 93

US sports icon “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays dies at the age of 93

19.06.2024, 09:46

Willie Mays hit 660 home runs in Major League Baseball and was voted All-Star 24 times. His influence extends beyond sports; Barack Obama honored him during his time as US President. Now Mays has died at the age of 93.

American baseball icon Willie Mays has died. Mays, who was one of the greatest players in the history of his sport, died on Tuesday at the age of 93. Mays’ family announced this in a joint statement with his former team, the San Francisco Giants. “My father passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loved ones. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the unwavering love you showed him over the years. You were his lifeblood,” said son Michael Mays in the statement.

As the first black captain of a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, Mays left a mark that went far beyond his sport. Giants chairman Greg Johnson mourned the loss of “a legend. He had a profound impact not only on the game of baseball, but on the fabric of America. He was an inspiration and a hero who will be remembered forever and greatly missed.”

As a player, he was distinguished by a combination of tremendous talent, sharp intellect, demeanor and boundless joy. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred praised Mays as a star who inspired “generations of players and fans.”

Mays, affectionately known as “Say Hey Kid,” was signed by the Giants, then based in New York. The nickname reportedly came from a New York sportswriter who gave it to him in his rookie season. He made his debut in the 1951 season, hitting 20 home runs and winning Rookie of the Year honors. Three years later, he helped the Giants win the World Series, the franchise’s last title before moving to San Francisco.

Mays retired from baseball in 1973 and finished his career with the New York Mets after playing for the Giants from 1951 to 1972. He hit 660 home runs, ranking sixth on the MLB list. A 24-time All-Star, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. In 2015, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Barack Obama.

2024-06-19 18:11:12
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