PALO ALTO, Calif., June 18, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Willie Mays, one of baseball’s all-time greats is dead at age 93.
Word of Mays’ passing was announced Tuesday night on a social media post by Major League Baseball.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the most exciting all-around players in the history of our sport,” the MLB statement said.
“Mays was a two-time MVP, 24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“In commemoration of ‘The Catch’ as perhaps the most famous play in the history of the Fall Classic, the World Series MVP Award was named in his honor in 2017.”
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred released the following statement:
All of Major League Baseball is in mourning today as we are gathered at the very ballpark where a career and legacy like no other began.
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.
Just as his career was ascending, Willie served his country in the U.S. Army in 1952 and 1953. As the 1954 NL MVP, he led the giants to victory in the World Series, in which he made one of the most memorable plays ever with “The Catch” in the deep centerfield of the Polo Grounds.
All told, Willie was a two-time MVP, a 24-time all star, a 12-time Gold Glover, a selection as one of the game’s Greatest Living Players in 2015, and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom later that year.
And yet, his incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable. We will never forget this true Giant on and off the field.
On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Willie’s family, his friends across our game, Giants fans everywhere, and his countless admirers across the world.
Thursday’s game at historic Rickwood Field was designed to be a celebration of Willie Mays and his peers. With sadness in our hearts, it will now also serve as a National Remembrance of an American who will forever remain on the shortlist of the most impactful individuals our great game has ever known.
