MLB commentator chokes up as he reads Willie Mays’ moving statement live at the stadium where he was to be honored

AN MLB broadcaster became emotional after announcing the death of iconic Willie Mays.

The baseball commentator revealed a statement about Mays’ death at age 93 during a special MiLB game at BirminghamRickwood Field, where he was to be honored this week.

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The San Francisco Giants, where Mays spent much of his 23-year MLB career, announced the News in an X post on Tuesday night.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer and legend Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93.”

The news reached Rickwood Field, where Mays played in the Negro Leagues while MLB broadcaster Rich Waltz was on the conference call of the Double-A Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox) playing the Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays).

“It is with regret that I read this statement,” Waltz said as he struggled.

After revealing the Giants’ statement on Mays’ death, Waltz made a point of telling viewers that the iconic player was one of the focal points of Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseballfour-day event in Birmingham, Alabama.

“And here we are at a celebration in a stadium where he started at 17 at Black Barrons,” said an emotional Waltz.

“And they won the American League from the Negro Leagues.”

Mays’ passing came one day after it was announced that he would not be present for Thursday’s game between the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field.

The game will be played at the 114-year-old venue to honor the Negro Leagues and hundreds of former league players, including late May.

“I won’t be able to go to Birmingham this year, but I will be watching the game here in the Bay Area,” Mays revealed in a statement.

“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 began his professional career in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League.

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In 1951, Mays made his MLB debut for the then New York Giants and was called up to serve in the USA. Armymissing most of the 1952 season and all of the 1953 season.

He would return in 1954 and “The Say Hey Kid” would make 24 All-Star appearances, win 12 Gold Gloves and NL MVP awards, and win a World Series. championship.

Mays is considered one of the all-time greats in sports, as many MLB broadcasters shared the news of his death live. television on Tuesday night.

Among them was Giants broadcaster Jon Miller, who was surprised by the development and mentioned Mays’ longtime tenure with the Giants and his history with the next MLB game at Birmingham’s Rickwood Field before announcing the MLB team’s statement.

“We are very sad now to convey this information that was just released by the Giants,” Miller said. “

“That the great Willie Mays has passed away. Passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93.”

During the Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field, announcer Jeremiah Paprocki shared the news of Mays’ death, with his image displayed on the video board before holding a moment of silence for his death.