BASEBALL legend Willie Mays spoke about the MLB game he was to be honored at this Thursday, just hours before his death.
Mays, known as the Say Hey Kid, died Tuesday at age 93.
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The news of Mays’ death was initially announced by the San Francisco Giants organization, for whom the Hall of Famer played most of his baseball career.
“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’ statement read.
The cause of death was not revealed.
Mays was to be honored, along with the Negro Leagues, at a game between the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday.
The oldest baseball park in America, Rickwood Field is home to the Birmingham Black Barons, the team with which Mays began his baseball career.
But the 24-time All-Star confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday, just hours before his death, that he would not be in attendance.
“I won’t be able to go to Birmingham this year, but I will be watching the game here in the Bay Area,” Mays said in a statement to Chronicle of San Francisco on Monday.
“My heart goes out to all of you who are honoring the Negro Leagues players who should always be remembered, including all my Black Barons teammates.
“I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who will be at Rickwood or watching the game.
“It will be a special day and I hope the children enjoy it and are inspired by it.”
Mays also shared a statement with the Giants on Monday recalling his time playing at Rickwood Field.
“The first big thing I thought of was playing at Rickwood Field. It wasn’t a dream. It was something I was going to do,” part of the statement read.
“That’s what I did. It was my start. My first job. You never forget that.”
Mays said that while he enjoyed being there, he doesn’t “move as well” as he used to and planned to watch from home.
Still, he was thrilled at the prospect of “allowing everyone to see professional football at Rickwood Field.”
“All these years and you’re still here. Me too. How about that?”
Mays’ death was announced just hours later.
HISTORICAL CAREER
Born May 6, 1931, Mays was an Alabama native whose baseball career began in 1948 with the Black Barons.
He was just 17 years old at the time.
Mays helped the team reach the Negro League World Series in his rookie season.
The Giants organization, based in New York at the time, heard about Mays and his talent and purchased his contract from the Birmingham team in 1950.
After spending time with the Giants’ minor league affiliates, he was called up to the major leagues in May 1951.
All these years and it’s still here. Me too. What about?
Willie Mays
Mays became the tenth black player in MLB history.
He won the 1954 World Series with the Giants.
Over the course of his storied career with the Giants and later the New York Mets, Mays amassed a resume that included the 1951 National League Rookie of the Year award, two National League MVP awards, 12 Gold Gloves and two All-Star Game MVP awards.
After retiring from baseball in 1973, Mays was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Mays finished his career with 660 home runs, a batting average over .300 and 3,293 hits.
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‘I CHANGED THE GAME FOREVER’
Tributes instantly began pouring in for Mays after news of his death spread.
Barry Bonds, Mays’ godson and fellow Giants legend, shared a photo on his Instagram.
“I am devastated and overcome with emotion,” Bonds began.
“I have no words to describe what you mean to me – you helped shape me into who I am today. Thank you for being my godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug for me.
“Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever.”
You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream.
CC Sabathia
Along with MLB and the Giants organization, dozens of other baseball players shared tributes to Mays on social media.
“I’m so grateful and grateful to have spent the time I did with him because he’s a true giant, on and off the field,” Ken Griffey Jr. said.
“RIP Willie Mays. You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream. Thank you for everything you did on and off the field. Always in our hearts,” longtime New York ace CC Sabathia wrote York Yankees, at X.
Several baseball broadcasters who were live were thrilled to have to share the news with listeners.
Dave Flemming, the Giants’ play-by-play announcer, was “having a hard time” breaking the news to fans during the team’s matchup against the Chicago Cubs.
Elsewhere, former major leaguer Keith Hernandez was fighting back tears in the Mets’ box as he recalled his interactions with Mays.
“I was able to tell him he was the best player I’ve ever seen,” said an emotional Hernandez.
But Mays also touched hearts beyond the field.
I could tell him he was the best player I’ve ever seen.
Keith Hernandez
Former President Barack Obama shared a heartfelt tribute to X.
“Willie Mays was not just a singular athlete, blessed with an incomparable combination of grace, skill and power. He was also a wonderfully warm and generous person – and an inspiration to an entire generation,” Obama wrote.
“I am lucky to have spent time with him over the years, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family.”
Tennis legend Billie Jean King remembers being honored alongside Mays in 2010.
“It was a privilege to meet you. We were both honored to have
@MLB in 2010 with the Beacon Award, given to civil rights pioneers,” she wrote on X.
“He was such a kind soul, he gifted my brother Randy a new glove and a television during his rookie year with the @SFGiants. My deepest condolences to his family. We will miss him.”
NBA star Earvin Magic Johnson also shared his condolences.
“I am devastated to learn of the passing of legendary Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the main reasons I fell in love with baseball. Cookie and I are praying for his family, friends and fans during this difficult time,” Johnson wrote on X.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
