Willie Mays dies: Tributes pour in for the baseball legend

Baseball legend Willie Mays has died at the age of 93, the San Francisco Giants announced on Tuesday evening.

The “Say Hey Kid” and legendary center fielder is one of the best to ever play the game, starting his career with the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro Leagues before making his MLB debut with the then-New York Giants in 1951.

Mays stayed with the Giants during their move to San Francisco and played for the organization from 1951 to 1972. He was a 24 MLB All-Star, earned 12 Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series with the Giants in 1954.

He played for the New York Mets during the last two years of his MLB career in 1972 and 1973.

Mays’ No. 24 jersey is retired by the Giants and Mets, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. He made the MLB’s All-Century Team and its All-Time Team, cementing his status as an ironclad titan of baseball. In fact, the World Series’ MVP Award is named after Mays.

His death comes just two days before the Giants play the St. Louis Cardinals at the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, where Mays started his baseball career. Mays wasn’t slated to attend Thursday’s game. However, he issued a statement to explain his absence on Monday.

“I’m not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area. My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons,” Mays shared in his statement. “I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who’ll be at Rickwood or watching the game. It’ll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it.”

League commissioner Rob Manfred honored Mays as one of the best to ever play the sport after news broke of his death.

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. pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024

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.

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… pic.twitter.com/kOqxNnetg7

— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2024

Tributes immediately poured in for Mays, one of the unquestioned Mt. Rushmore figures in baseball history.

My heart is broken. All our hearts are broken. The world 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. Greatest, most exciting player ever. He changed the world. He was 93.

— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) June 19, 2024

Rest in peace, Willie Mays. pic.twitter.com/oREXMou3lb

— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) June 19, 2024

One of the best players to have ever played the game. Rest In Peace, Willie Mays pic.twitter.com/pSqNFPhBDK

— MetsAvenue (@MetsAvenue) June 19, 2024

Always loved this photo https://t.co/Y87bO5IfyW pic.twitter.com/OudOgEGjky

— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) June 19, 2024

RIP Willie Mays the Say Hey Kid ….here he’s playing stickball in NYC pic.twitter.com/6oqoOC8fTt https://t.co/NIg8BgvK8n

— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) June 19, 2024

The rare athlete who was described as a god when you were a kid, and then you grow up and realize he was way better than even the legend indicated. https://t.co/TLnRdppf7p

— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) June 19, 2024

one of the coolest athletes you learn about growing up as a sports fan. before the Nats came to Washington, I was a Giants fan because of him and Barry. RIP. https://t.co/FsRZKslgRf

— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) June 19, 2024

Heartbreaking

Willie Mays is my mother's hero. I am where I am today because of how he captivated her from a young age. His joy for the game inspired her, and she passed that love on to me.

Baseball is so impactful because of what it means to generations https://t.co/q7Z92JyfAl

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 19, 2024

There have been great ballplayers, Hall of Famers, even first-ballot Hall of Famers. But Willie was something else entirely: one of a few men for whom you could build a credible case as The Greatest Baseball Player Who Ever Lived. May his legacy endure as long as the game does. https://t.co/zZp8HyUmt2

— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) June 19, 2024

RIP Willie Mays. Thank you for all you did for baseball and beyond. https://t.co/HE7TnCYupH

— Amy Gutierrez (@amygmultimedia) June 19, 2024

A legend in every sense. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/1U6NCAMlnk

— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) June 19, 2024

We join the Giants and the entire baseball community in mourning the passing of one of baseball's biggest icons.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones https://t.co/jo0gXPkXwK

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 19, 2024

“Heroes get remembered, legends never die.” RIP to the greatest baseball player who ever lived. https://t.co/rvoVkfCGXx

— Anthony Garcia (@SportsAnthony) June 19, 2024

Rest in peace, Willie Mays. https://t.co/VCdBD5Yosx pic.twitter.com/wkItbpJq2m

— Ken Gelman (@kengfunk) June 19, 2024