Willie Mays, considered one of the best players in baseball history and called ‘Say Hey Kid’, died at the age of 93.
His son Michael Mays confirmed that the legendary center fielder had died Tuesday night in a statement through the San Francisco Giants.
“My father has passed away peacefully and among his loved ones,” he said.
“I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.”
Giants president Greg Johnson also said: “He had a profound influence not only on the game of baseball, but on the fabric of America.
“He was an inspiration and a hero who will always be remembered and deeply missed.”
Major League Baseball (MLB) also paid tribute, saying they were “heartbroken” after losing “one of the most exciting players in the history of our sport.”
Born in 1931 and making his professional debut in 1948, Mays was a 24-time All-Star and spent parts of 21 seasons with the Giants, both when they were in New York and San Francisco.
Over the course of his career, he had a .301 batting average, hit 660 home runs, totaled 3,293 hits, scored 2,068 runs, and won 12 Gold Gloves.
Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1979, with nearly 95% of all votes cast for him.
‘The capture’
His most famous moment came during the first game of the 1954 World Series, when Vic Wertz of the Cleveland Indians hit a ball to deep center while a pair of runners were on base in a playoff game.
With his back to the infield, Mays ran toward the center field wall at the Polo Grounds and made an over-the-shoulder catch.
‘The Catch’ during Game 1 of the 1954 baseball World Series. Photo: AP
The moment, known simply as “The Catch,” proved decisive and helped the Giants win 5-2 in ten innings. The team eventually won the world series, the only time Mays did so.
In 2010, Mays told biographer James S. Hirsch: “As soon as they hit him, I knew he was going to catch the ball.
“The whole time I’m running I’m thinking, ‘Willie, you’ve got to get this ball back into the infield.'”
In 2017, the World Series Most Valuable Player award was named after Mays, even though he only won the postseason tournament once.
Willie Mays with a young John F. Kennedy Jr on June 3, 1972. Photo: AP
History in the Negro Leagues
Prior to his time in the majors, Mays spent a year with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League.
The league was segregated from other baseball organizations as African Americans were excluded by the color line, a policy by which black baseball players were excluded from the MLB and its affiliated minor leagues.
It was an unofficial but widespread policy until 1945, when Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but it took until the 1960s for African-American players to fully integrate into the sport.
Earlier this month, the MLB finally recognized segregated leagues in its statistics. A game will be held Thursday in honor of Mays and the leagues.
Mays had told the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be able to make it to Birmingham for the game, but said, “My heart will go out to all of you who honor the Negro League players who should always be remembered, including all of my teammates.” “. about the Black Barons.”
Read more on Sky News:
Timberlake’s ‘Bloodshot’ mugshot released
Mysterious monolith found near Las Vegas
Stay up to date with the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Speaking from the ballpark, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said: “All of Major League Baseball is in mourning today as we gather in the same ballpark where he began a career and a legacy like no other.
“Willie Mays brought his all-around brilliance from the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League to the historic Giants franchise.
“From coast to coast…Willie inspired generations of players and fans as the game grew and truly earned its place as our national pastime.
“We will never forget this true giant on and off the field.”
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
