NFT- RIP Willie Mays

[Messiah717]

The "Say Hey Kid" Willie Mays has died at 93.  Maybe the best all around player ever.  Goodbye to a legend. 

[Ed Vette]

https://share.newsbreak.com/7ddpf21v

Willie Mays, whose unmatched collection of skills made him the greatest center fielder who ever lived, died Tuesday afternoon at the age of 93, the San Francisco Giants announced.

"My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones," said Michael Mays in a statement released by the Giants. "I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life's blood."

The "Say Hey Kid" left an indelible mark on the sport, with his name a constant throughout baseball's hallowed record book and his defensive prowess -- epitomized by "The Catch" in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series -- second to none.

All told, in a career that spanned 20-plus years (1951-73) -- most of them with his beloved Giants -- he made 24 All-Star teams, won two NL MVP awards and had 12 Gold Gloves. He ranks sixth all time in home runs (660), seventh in runs scored (2,068), 12th in RBIs (1,909) and 13th in hits (3,293).

"Today we have lost a true legend", said Giants Chairman Greg Johnson in a statement. "In the pantheon of baseball greats, Willie Mays' combination of tremendous talent, keen intellect, showmanship, and boundless joy set him apart. A 24-time All-Star, the Say Hey Kid is the ultimate Forever Giant.

"He had a profound influence not only on the game of baseball, but on the fabric of America. He was an inspiration and a hero who will be forever remembered and deeply missed."

Mays was born on May 6, 1931, and grew up in Alabama. He excelled in baseball, football and basketball in high school. But his love of baseball trumped all sports. In 1948, at the age of 17, he began his professional career with the Birmingham Black Barons, helping the team to the Negro League World Series that season. Since Mays was still in school, he only played on the weekends with the club; he traveled with Birmingham when school was out.

The New York Giants caught wind of Mays and purchased his contract from Birmingham in 1950. Mays had no trouble acclimating, batting .353 in 81 games with Trenton that season. In 1951, Mays broke out with the Triple-A Minneapolis Millers; he batted .477 in 35 games before the Giants recalled him in May.

At age 20, Mays was the 10th Black player in the major league history. After going hitless in his first three games, Mays' first career hit was a home run off Hall of Famer Warren Spahn in the first inning of the Giants' 4-1 loss to the Braves on May 28, 1951. Mays was also on-deck when the Giants' Bobby Thomson hit his NL pennant-winning home run against the Dodgers on Oct. 3, 1951, famously known as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World."

The Korean War interrupted Mays's career in 1952. He played in 34 games for the Giants (batting .236) before he was drafted by the U.S. Army. Mays was assigned to Fort Eustis in Virginia and he kept his skills sharp by playing games regularly. Mays also missed the entire 1953 season because of military service; he did not return to the Giants until the spring of 1954.

But the layoff from professional baseball did not affect him. Mays won the first of his two career NL MVP awards that season, leading the league in batting at .345 and hitting 41 home runs to go alone with 110 RBIs. Mays won his other NL MVP in 1965.

"I fell in love with baseball because of Willie, plain and simple," said Giants president and chief executive officer Larry Baer. "My childhood was defined by going to Candlestick with my dad, watching Willie patrol centerfield with grace and the ultimate athleticism. Over the past 30 years, working with Willie, and seeing firsthand his zest for life and unbridled passion for giving to young players and kids, has been one of the joys of my life."

During Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at the Polo Grounds, Mays made one of the most famous plays in baseball history. With the score tied at 2 and two runners on base, Cleveland's Vic Wertz hit a 2-1 pitch to deep center in the top of the 8th inning. Mays sprinted toward the wall with his back away from Wertz. He made a basket catch while on the run, pivoted and fired the ball into the infield. Mays' catch and quick relay throw prevented both runners from scoring; the Giants won the game 5-2 in 10 innings.

Today, the play is simply known as "The Catch."

On May 11, 1972, Mays was traded from the Giants to the New York Mets for pitcher Charlie Williams and $50,000. After the 1973 season, Mays retired. In 1979, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

In his 22-year career, Mays led the NL in home runs four times, and when he retired, his 660 home runs ranked third in big league history; he now ranks sixth behind his godson Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Ruth, Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols. He also finished with 3,283 hits (12th all time) and 1,903 RBIs (12th all-time) in his career.

With the exception of 1951, when he wore No. 14, Mays wore No. 24 his entire career. Mays' legacy still resonates in San Francisco. The Giants ballpark is located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, complete with a statue of Mays. The city of San Francisco also celebrates every May 24 as Willie Mays Day.

[President Rick]

No maybes...THE best all around baseball player ever.  Period.  In addition to OF and 1B, he even caught in the bigs.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

A remarkable man and a hero. He changed baseball in more ways than one...and all for the better. May he RIP

[Painter]

As long as baseball is played, his legend will never die.

Cheers for you always, Willie.

[AZGiantFan]

My dad was a contrarian.  Despite growing up in Brooklyn he was a lifelong Giants fan and as big a Willie Mays fan as there was.  I inherited that and one of my most memorable days was being in Cooperstown to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame.

[BluesCruz]

I lived through that era and the comparisons between Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were aways there.  Which was best?  Tough to say.  Personally I thought Mantle was slightly better but Willie did not have the players around him that Mickey did.

Lets call it a tie

[MightyGiants]

RIP (although, embarrassingly, I didn't know he was still alive)


https://x.com/nypostsports/status/1803357316084867445

[LennG]

As most here know I was a die hard Brooklyn Dodger fan and such basically hated Willie, but at the same time, respected him and always acknowledged that he was the best ever to play the game.
As a young fan I got to meet Willie several times when the Giants played at Ebbetts Field. I had several autographs from him
 Later when he played for the Mets I umpired an Old Timers Game and again got a chance to chat with him. Truly one of the GOOD guys.

There is a fantastic documentary about him called "Say Hey Willie Mays". If you are a fan or ever were a fan it is a must watch.

Thanks for the memories, both good and bad. There will never be another Willie Mays.

May you RIP.

[Philosophers]

A true gentlemen of the game along with a collection of stats second to none. 

[ozzie]

Willie Mays was no dobut, my all-time favorite ballplayer and athlete. Growing up on Long Island, all my friends were Mets or Yankees fans. My favorite team was the SF Giants.
My Dad grew up a NY Giants (baseball) fan and some of that must have rubbed off on me, but it was mostly because of Willie.
I believe he was the greatest all-around player ever.
Whenever the Giants came to Shea Stadium, my Dad would be sure to get tickets and we would go to the games just so I could see Willie play.
R.I.P. Willie and thanks for the memories.

[nb587]

Been a baseball fan for 70 years and Mays was the best player I ever saw.  I know people who saw both he and DiMaggio play who thought DiMaggio was the best player.  That said, I thought that Mays was outstanding in every aspect of the game.

I grew up a Yankee fan but Mantle was not equal which might be unfair given Mantle's serious injuries.  Hank Aaron was close to Mays but slightly less outstanding.  Roberto Clemente was on his way to Mays level but because of his early death didn't have the years. 

[kingm56]

Been a baseball fan for 70 years and Mays was the best player I ever saw.  I know people who saw both he and DiMaggio play who thought DiMaggio was the best player.  That said, I thought that Mays was outstanding in every aspect of the game.

I grew up a Yankee fan but Mantle was not equal which might be unfair given Mantle's serious injuries.  Hank Aaron was close to Mays but slightly less outstanding.  Roberto Clemente was on his way to Mays level but because of his early death didn't have the years. 

As a die hard Red Sox/MLB fan, I truly appreciate the context.  Mays was well before my time; however, I'm well versed in his legend.

@MightyGiants I assumed Mays had passed too. Odd, because it appears he was active with the Giants well into his upper 80s.

[AZGiantFan]

I lived through that era and the comparisons between Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were aways there.  Which was best?  Tough to say.  Personally I thought Mantle was slightly better but Willie did not have the players around him that Mickey did.

Lets call it a tie

Mantle may have had more talent, but injuries and a loose lifestyle diminished him.

[AZGiantFan]

Been a baseball fan for 70 years and Mays was the best player I ever saw.  I know people who saw both he and DiMaggio play who thought DiMaggio was the best player.  That said, I thought that Mays was outstanding in every aspect of the game.

I grew up a Yankee fan but Mantle was not equal which might be unfair given Mantle's serious injuries.  Hank Aaron was close to Mays but slightly less outstanding.  Roberto Clemente was on his way to Mays level but because of his early death didn't have the years. 

I saw a video clip where Willie was asked who was the greatest player of his era other than himself and he named Roberto Clemente.  He didn't get as much recognition as he deserved because he wasn't top tier in home runs, but man was he good.