Baseball world pays tribute to Hall of Famer Willie Mays
Hall of Famer and San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays died at the age of 93 Tuesday, and tributes from around the baseball world are honoring one of the all-time greats.
Mays spent 21 seasons with the Giants, winning a World Series, a staggering 12 Gold Gloves, and a pair of MVPs. The Giants released a tribute to Mays' incredible career and his impact on the franchise.
He leaves us with a lasting reminder: to work hard and find joy in this great game, and this extraordinary life. Say Hey, Willie Mays. The best there ever was. 💐 pic.twitter.com/9QnpsDZM9B
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024
There was a moment of silence at Wrigley Field during Tuesday's game between the Giants and Chicago Cubs.
A moment of silence for Willie Mays at Wrigley Field during the Giants-Cubs game. pic.twitter.com/df2K8BZRNA
— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2024
Fans at Rickwood Field attending a minor-league game in Mays' native state of Alabama reacted to the news, breaking out in a chant of "Willie."
An in-game tribute to Willie Mays at the MiLB at Rickwood game. 🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/roKgNF3gQd
— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2024
"All of Major League Baseball is in mourning today as we are gathered at the very ballpark where a career and a legacy like no other began," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Willie Mays took his all-around brilliance from the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League to the historic Giants franchise. From coast to coast in New York and San Francisco, Willie inspired generations of players and fans as the game grew and truly earned its place as our National Pastime."
MLBPA executive director Tony Clark released a statement recognizing Mays' impact both on and off the field.
Statement from Executive Director Tony Clark on the passing of Willie Mays pic.twitter.com/71vJaWhAPq
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) June 19, 2024
Longtime San Francisco Giants broadcaster Jon Miller announced the news of Mays' death during Tuesday's game.
Jon Miller took a moment during the broadcast to acknowledge the passing of Willie Mays pic.twitter.com/4ZcXDouOfZ
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 19, 2024
Giants fans laid flowers and took pictures of Mays' statue outside Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Giants fans are paying tribute to Willie Mays at his statue outside Oracle Park 🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/VzBM9pLhvI
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 19, 2024
MLB players, both past and present, also paid their respects.
One of the best to ever play the game and even a better person. Thoughts and prayers are with Willie’s family and loved ones. https://t.co/kiyCbfBqOi
— Derek Jeter (@derekjeter) June 19, 2024
I’ll never forget this day when I walked in and heard, “that’s that boy who wears his hat like this.”
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) June 19, 2024
RIP Willie Mays. You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream. Thank you for everything that you did on and off the field. Always in our hearts… pic.twitter.com/Xv2ZHbKFvt
"Before there was (Barry) Bonds and (Ken) Griffey and all these guys and (Willie) Stargell, there was Willie Mays," Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen said, per MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. "He was the guy who before Rickey Henderson, before all these great center fielders even, there was Willie Mays."
"I got to tell him he was the greatest player I ever saw"
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 19, 2024
Keith Hernandez recalls his meetings with Willie Mays pic.twitter.com/j6BEI063fk
R.I.P to Willie Mays! There’s great players and then there’s True Legends. God Bless🙏🏾
— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) June 19, 2024
There were also touching tributes from other notable athletes outside the world of baseball.
I'm devastated to hear about the passing of the 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. 🙏🏾
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 19, 2024
He was a 24-time All-Star, a 12-time Gold Glover, a 2-time MVP, World Series champion, and a Hall of Famer.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 19, 2024
The great Willie Mays has passed away. It was a privilege to know him. We were both honored by @MLB in 2010 with the Beacon Award, given to civil rights pioneers.
He was… pic.twitter.com/wdTTNUiEmt