Baseball world mourns Willie Mays
Willie Mays stands out not only as a member of the Hall of Fame’s inner circle, but as an integral part of baseball’s rich history. That legacy was felt with full force Tuesday when the San Francisco Giants, his team for the past 21 seasons, announced his death at 5:52 p.m. PT.
May’s death at the age of 93 sparked a reaction throughout the baseball world, first seen on the Giants’ television broadcast.
“We are very sad to share the information just released by the Giants that the great Willie Mays has passed away,” said Giants commentator Jon Miller. “He passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93.”
“We are very sad to share this information just released by the Giants. That the great Willie Mays has passed away. He passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93.”
Jon Miller announces the death of the legendary Willie Mays. pic.twitter.com/p8s6MNszZw
โ Awful Announcement (@awfulannouncing) June 19, 2024
The Giants also included a statement from Mays’ son Michael, who thanked fans for the support they showed his father:
“My father died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones,” said Michael Mays. “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.”
MLB quickly released a statement from Commissioner Rob Manfred saying that Mays’ incredible accomplishments and statistics do not begin to describe the awe felt watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable.” It was not long before California Governor Gavin Newsom published his own statement.
Barry Bonds, whose godfather Willie Mays was at Bobby Bonds’ side during his time as a player, responded via Instagram:
I am devastated and overwhelmed with emotion. ๐ I don’t have the words to describe what you mean to me – you made me who I am today. Thank you for being my godfather and always being there for me. Give my dad a hug from me.
Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever. #SayHey โพ๏ธ
Mays’ death will greatly impact the upcoming game at Rickwood Field, where the Giants are scheduled to face the St. Louis Cardinals, the home of the Negro League’s Birmingham Black Barons, where Mays played before signing with the Giants in 1950. The Giants had released a statement from Mays just a day earlier, saying he could not participate because he “wasn’t moving as well as he used to.”
When Mays’ death was announced, Rickwood Field was actually the site of a minor league game between the Birmingham Barons (named after Mays’ hometown team) and the Montgomery Biscuits.
MLB Network commentator Rich Waltz could be heard struggling with his emotions as he read the Giants’ announcement during the game.
In the hours that followed, many more people responded. Keith Hernandez, a New York Mets commentator who had followed Mets games during his short career with the then-young Mets, was close to tears as he recalled his meeting with the legend:
“I was at Shea Stadium when he was younger, and I was also in his company when he was older and completely blind. Whatever came across, and he was the Say Hey boy, he had this exuberant personality, infectious and genuine. I have to tell him he was the best player I’ve ever seen.”
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen also spoke about his encounter with Mays, who reportedly nicknamed the former MVP โPittsburghโ (via Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette):
“Yeah, before there was Bonds and Griffey and all those guys and Stargell, there was Willie Mays. Willie Mays was the guy who was Willie Mays before Rickey Henderson, before all those great center fielders. He was a pioneer of the game. He was a guy who was very lucky to be on the Giants. And honestly, that was one of the reasons I was so excited about going to the Giants, because I knew I was going to be surrounded by guys like Willie McCovey and Willie Mays and Barry Bonds and those guys. So his legacy will live on.
“Anyone who was in contact with Mays for even a day will have a story to tell. He will have something to tell. My nickname was ‘Pittsburgh.’ That was my nickname for him. He always called me Pittsburgh. I watched a lot of our games and talked to him every time I had the chance. I’m pretty sure I talked to him every time. He probably got tired of me. But whenever I had the chance to be around him, I was around him.”
Numerous black baseball players reacted on social media, as did longtime San Francisco Chronicle Giants writer John Shea, who was friends with Mays and co-wrote his autobiography.
RIP to Willie Mays! There are great players and then there are true legends. God bless you๐๐พ
โ Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) June 19, 2024
Rest in peace, great Willie Mays! It was a pleasure to meet you and chat with you for a few hours. Thank you for inspiring our game, your legacy will not be forgotten!
โ Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) June 19, 2024
I will never forget the day I walked in and heard, “That’s the boy who wears his hat like that.”
Rest in peace, 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… pic.twitter.com/Xv2ZHbKFvt
โ CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) June 19, 2024
Willie Mays #24 was a legend among legends. I was lucky enough to spend a few weeks with Willie and I can tell you, baseball was in his heart and he could compete with the best! Thanks, Willie ๐๐พ๐๏ธ #Peace in Paradise
โ JIMMY ROLLINS (@JimmyRollins11) June 19, 2024
My heart is broken. All our hearts are broken. The world has lost an absolute hero and treasure. The wonderful Willie Mays, a friend to all, died today. Peacefully. Two days before the big day at Rickwood Field. The greatest and most exciting player of all time. He changed the world. He was 93.
โ John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) June 19, 2024
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