Willie Mays passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, the Giants announced. One of the greatest players of all-time and a legend in the sports world, Mays was 93.
“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 alluding to Thursday’s game between the Giants and Cardinals at Birmingham’s Rickwood Field, the home of the Negro Leagues’ Birmingham Black Barons. “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. … 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 short list of the most impactful individuals our great game has ever known.”
A native of Westfield, Alabama, Mays started his professional career in 1948. He appeared in 13 games for a Black Barons team that was on its way to that year’s Negro World Series. Once Mays finished high school the following year, he received interest from American League and National League clubs. He signed with the Giants (still playing in New York at the time) on a $4,000 bonus. Mays spent the 1950 season in the minors before making his team debut the following year.
Mays immediately hit the ground running. He hit .274 with 20 home runs and dazzling center field defense to win the National League Rookie of the Year. The Giants would win the pennant on Bobby Thomson’s famous “Shot Heard ’Round The World” against the Dodgers. While they dropped that year’s Fall Classic to the Yankees, it wasn’t long before they returned to the World Series. Mays missed most of 1952 and the entire ’53 season after being drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Upon his return to the playing field in 1954, he established himself as one of the best players the game has ever seen.
At 23 years old in his first full major league season, Mays hit .345 with an MLB-best .667 slugging percentage en route to the NL MVP award. The Giants won 97 games to head back to the World Series. In Game 1, Mays made perhaps the most iconic defensive play in major league history. His over-the-shoulder basket catch a few feet in front of the center field wall at the Polo Grounds — a play that would live on in history as “The Catch” — likely saved two runs in what was then a tied game in the eighth inning. The Giants would go to win in 10 innings and sweep the Indians to win the fifth championship in franchise history.
The rosters around Mays dipped after that season. They wouldn’t return to the Fall Classic until 1962 despite their center fielder’s all-around dominance. Mays hit 51 home runs in 1955, the first of three times he would lead the majors in that regard. He paced the National League in stolen bases in four straight seasons from 1956-59 while leading the league in OPS three times during that decade. Mays was established as arguably the best player in the majors by the time the franchise moved to San Francisco in advance of the 1958 season.
The Say Hey Kid earned an All-Star nod during his first MVP season in 1954. His combination of otherworldly talent and incredible durability — he’d play in at least 140 games in each subsequent year until 1968 — sent him back to the Midsummer Classic in 19 straight seasons. Mays was selected as an All-Star 24 times and in 20 separate seasons (there were multiple All-Star teams for a few years in the early 60s). Only Henry Aaron reached the All-Star Game more frequently in his career.
MLB introduced the Gold Glove Award in 1957, four seasons into Mays’ career with the Giants. He’d earn the honors in the award’s first 12 seasons. That ties him with Roberto Clemente for the most among outfielders in league history despite the honors not coming into existence until Mays’ age-26 season.
Mays would have had a strong Hall of Fame case based on his glove alone. He’s also among the best hitters of all time. He hit .296 or better in each season from 1954-65. He never hit fewer than 29 homers in that stretch. Mays ranked in the top 10 in MVP voting in all but one year between 1954-66, finishing among the top five on nine occasions. He won the MVP as a 34-year-old in 1965 behind a .317/.398/.645 batting line with an MLB-leading 52 home runs. He was the runner-up to Maury Wills during the Giants’ pennant-winning ’62 campaign. Mays didn’t have a great offensive showing in the World Series, though, and San Francisco came up a run short in a seven-game series loss to the Yankees.
Between 1954-66, a stretch that represented one of the greatest peaks in MLB history, Mays compiled a .315/.390/.601 slash line with 518 homers as the game’s preeminent outfield defender. While his production in his late-30s wasn’t quite at that exceptional standard, Mays remained an elite hitter past his 40th birthday. He led the NL in walks and on-base percentage at age 40 in 1971, the final season in which he’d top 100 games.
Mays’ time with the Giants came to a close in May 1972 when San Francisco traded him to the Mets. He finished his career as a role player with New York, returning to the World Series in his final season. Mays retired after the ’73 campaign and moved into coaching with the Mets. He’d later work in an advisory role with the Giants, a franchise with which he’s so synonymous that Oracle Park’s official address is 24 Willie Mays Plaza.
That concluded a playing career that spanned parts of 23 seasons in the major leagues (including his abbreviated stint with the Black Barons). Mays played in more than 3000 MLB games, the ninth-most in history. He’s on virtually every leaderboard. Mays was 13th all-time with 3293 hits. He’s 12th in runs batted in (1909) and seventh in runs scored. Mays is one of nine players to reach the 600-homer mark and sits in sixth place on the all-time leaderboard with 660 longballs. At the time he retired, only Aaron and Babe Ruth had more.
Mays was an obvious call for Hall of Fame induction when he was first eligible in 1979. The exemplar of a five-tool player, he’s on the short list in debates about the greatest all-around players in baseball history. Among position players, Mays is only narrowly behind Barry Bonds and Ruth in Baseball Reference’s Wins Above Replacement metric with an estimated 156 career WAR. No single statistic will ever definitively answer the question of the “best player of all-time.” Fans can debate where Mays precisely stacks up against Bonds, Ruth, Aaron, Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, etc. It’s impossible to have that conversation without mentioning him.
Of course, Mays’ reverence in baseball circles goes well behind the stat sheet. He’s an icon, a fan favorite of many on both coasts during his heyday. Mays was one of the first Black players to emerge as a superstar once MLB teams began to integrate in the late 1940s and the early part of the 50s. His influence transcended baseball into broader American culture.
Mays and Yogi Berra were among the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. MLBTR joins others throughout the sports world in sending condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and the countless fans whose lives he impacted through nearly eight decades as a face of baseball.
tpaine69
Might be the best all around player ever.
CBeisbol
*have been
VegasSDfan
Amazing, i feel like he was one of the most well known players of all time. Total respect for what he brought to the game. Rest in peace
gomer33
Really, that’s what you have to add.
desertbull
STFU
THEHOUSETHATMOSEBYBUILT
“slept thru Florida University?”
Jake1972
Mays either was the greatest or second-greatest behind Ruth.
The only reason why Ruth might have been better is because he was a pitcher first for the Red Soxs, but Mays was the greatest I will ever know.
His Glove, Base Running, and Hitting were ahead of his time.
RIP Mays.
avenger65
Mays didn’t have to pitch to become one of the two greatest players (Cobb being the other, imo) ever. He’s the greatest player I’ve ever seen play.
oldgfan
No might be, WAS !
RIP Say Hey Kid.
Fever Pitch Guy
Old – I totally agree.
And to think, the Red Sox could have had Willie and Ted playing side by side. $4,500 is all that was asked. What a horrific decision by Yawkey to say no.
RIP Mr. Mays, we will miss you.
Blue Baron
FPG: Another urban legend is that the Giants could have had Mays and Aaron playing together for less money than that.
deweybelongsinthehall
Fever, I never heard that story. I’ve defended Yawkey over and over again for growing up in a different era. While in my view he should still be mostly remembered for saving the Sox in Boston and for his generous charity work. It’s sad to think what could have been but wasn’t likely due to skin color. Mays was arguably the best all around ball player ever. His god son BB would be in that conversation too had he played center instead of left and had he not used PEDS.
Blue Baron
@dewey: That story might be apocryphal, but if true it may or may not have to do with race. However, it is fact that the Red Sox resisted integration and were the last team to have a black player – in 1959.
Fever Pitch Guy
dewey – The Red Sox had a legendary scout named George Digby, same guy who signed Boggs/Greenwell/Reed etc.
espn.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/36622/georg…
“Eddie Glennon, the GM of our club in Birmingham, called Cronin,” recalled Digby. “The owner of the Black Barons had told us we could have Mays for $4,500. I said, ‘I’ll be back to you by tomorrow.’ Glennon had asked me, ‘What do you think?’ I said, ‘I think he’s a big leaguer.’ We could have had Mays in center and [Ted] Williams in left.
“Cronin sent another scout down to look at him, but [owner Tom] Yawkey and Cronin already had made up their minds they weren’t going to take any black players.”
baseballfreak25
No proof of PED’s. He was named by a doctor that made accusations but never actual proof. The doctor just name dropped to avoid his trafficking charges. The only TRUE evidence was that the doctor supplied steroids for body builders and power lifters. Just because numerous athletes were on his client list doesn’t mean they were juicing. Bonds has been black balled because he wasn’t politically correct. He didn’t kiss ass and he would actually call other players out that were jealous of him. Bonds will always be ranked as arguably the best I’ve ever seen play the game until his knees and back gave out. He could have went on to DH in the AL but owners colluded to force him into retirement. None of the league wanted him to be the sole member of the 800 homerun club and definitely don’t want certain guys in the HOF. It’s a travesty that several guys are banned in an era of cheating but choose to elect Papi who was popped twice for steroids.
baseballfreak25
RIP to an all time great!
Fever Pitch Guy
freak – Bonds testified he used both the clear (steroid) and the cream (masking agent), but he said he didn’t know what they were. So knowingly or unknowingly, he used PED’s.
That’s all I will say on the subject out of respect for Willie, this is not the place for Bonds talk.
tpaine69
Aaron and Ruth have to be in the conversation. Tough to compare.
Unclemike1525
Still trying to figure out how that Giants team in the 60’s didn’t win a WS. Might have been the most talented team ever assembled. Mays, McCovey, Jimmy Ray Hart, Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Bobby Bonds, Even a young Steve Stone. Could be one of the biggest mysteries ever. R.I.P. to the Say Hey Kid.
GarryHarris
Former players of that era described the Giants of the 60s as a group of very good individuals who did not play baseball “the right way…”
Blue Baron
Unclemike: The only possible weakness I can think of is that the pitching after Marichal and Perry was pretty ordinary.
cleonswoboda
it was Candlestick Park with the wind blowing off the bay ,I can’t imagine how a right handed batter could hit the number of HR’s there that Willie did. the father of one of my 7th grade classmates took a picture of us with Willie at Shea. I only saw the pic once because they moved away. if anyone sees a pic of Mays with a couple of goofy looking kids,I’m the one wearing the Mets hat.
gilgunderson
Unfortunately, the Yankees, Dodgers, and Cardinals were all slightly better during that era. The Giants could never quite cobble together enough pitching to go with all their big bats.
Unclemike1525
You might have a point with Candlestick Park being the problem. For all intents and purposes it was supposed to be a horrible place to play in. And they had to do it 81 times. I never put that together. Well done!
5TUNT1N
He would change his stance at home and shift towards trying to hit them out of center. And remained pull hitter when he was on the road.
LLGiants64
They are in the conversation. Behind Willie Mays, Aaron and Ruth are two of the best ball players ever.
Blue Baron
gilgunderson
Not to mention the Mets, Orioles, Pirates, Reds, and Tigers.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Let’s not forget Orlando Cepeda from those Giants teams.
And then in the late 60s/early 70s, the Giants farm system produced the likes of George Foster, Ken Henderson, Garry Maddox, and Gary Matthew’s. Their scouting/player development people were on a role.
Blue Baron
Bart Harley Jarvis: Actually, you might say they were on a ROLL in their ROLE.
And a big issue was that there wasn’t a single stud pitcher in the Giants bunch at the same time, for example, the Mets and Whitey Herzog were producing Tom Seaver, Gary Gentry, Jerry Koosman, Jon Matlack, Tug McGraw, Danny Frisella, Steve Renko, Nolan Ryan, and Dick Selma.
Bart Harley Jarvis
*roll.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Agreed, and trading Gaylord Perry for Sam McDowell didn’t help.
GarryHarris
Jim Ray Hart, the Alou Brothers, Dick Deitz, Orlando Cepeda, Willy McCovey, especially in the OF and Tito Fuentes were not good fielders.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Speaking of good fielders, I’ll always be thankful for the Giants willingness to trade Garry Maddox, a gold glove centerfielder, to the Phillies for Willie Montanez, an entertaining but flawed first baseman.
deweybelongsinthehall
If not. Certainly in the discussion. RIP Willie. We all have our memories and mine is your HR in your first game as a Met. I was in my uncle’s restaurant and everyone was crowded watching on a 12” black and white. We all cheered and all the customers in the booths realized what happened and the entire restaurant cheered together.
slowcurve
I’d take Mays over Ruth any day!
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
I don’t know… I could see partying with Ruth…not sure if i could keep up with him or would want to
However they were both gifted ball players and beloved
Card AG
Any day? It’s not THAT cut and dry
Ruth had him beat by a lot in home runs and career batting average
Mays was smaller and faster so he beat him out on. Doubles and triples but not by a lot though.
avenger65
Yeah, but that’s all Ruth could do, hit home runs and party himself to death. It’s Mays. No contest.
Blue Baron
avenger65: You sure about that? Check out Ruth’s stats some time.
He went 94-46 with a 2.28 ERA and a 1.159 WHIP as an elite lefty pitcher, mostly with Boston from 1914-1919.
He was the original Ohtani.
Blue Baron
Card AG: Ruth hit 714 homers to Mays’ 660. On what planet is 54 homers or 8.1% “had him beat by a lot in home runs?”
warnbeeb
Give them both the same pitcher and catcher and a team of 7 Willie Mays’ would beat 7 Babe Ruths 80% of the time.
joeflaccosunibrow
So dumb
NYCityRiddler
The greatest player to ever lace up a pair of spikes. EVER!!!
avenger65
On a different note, what people forget to mention is that, after making “The Catch”, you can see Mays immediately turn and throw the ball to 1b in time to double off the runner.
5TUNT1N
Thank your for bringing this up, how laser focused he was at all moments on the field. Great moment and very true most people don’t recall the throw.
Alan Horn
He was the best position player that I ever saw (from around 1956 to present). He could do it all and had a great attitude.l I am proud to claim him as a native of my home state of Alabama.
towinagain
Willie Mays, Bill Walton and Jerry West always in threes but a veritable Mt Rushmore of sports icons and genuine wonderful individuals.
Sports world has lost some greats this year.
Yankee Clipper
I think there are others that can be considered as good, or arguably better, than Mays was as a player. What made Mays so unique, imho, is that he was able to do it for so long (23 seasons).
In contrast, players such as Williams, Mantle, Gehrig, and DiMaggio couldn’t sustain their careers due to injuries or breaks from the game (Joe D served in the military during his prime years, as did Williams). And if you talked to people who watched Joe D play, many will tell you he was better than Mays and Mantle. Ted Williams said of Joe DiMaggio: “He’s the best player I ever saw.”
All in all, he’s inarguably one of the best all-around players ever. He’s an icon for the Giants Organization and baseball fans across the globe. His passing is a loss to all left behind and I pray for peace for his family.
5TUNT1N
Mays was drafted into the army during the Korean War and missed 1.5 season if not more.
Yankee Clipper
Ya know, I thought he was but I didn’t see that in the article. Perhaps I just misread it and it was in there? Thanks for clarifying that though.
Either way, look at those guys: Mays, Williams, DiMaggio, Berra, and others at the top of their game and selflessly served our country.
There’s a reason why they were considered to be the “Greatest Generation”
5TUNT1N
Np sir.
Blue Baron
Yankee Clipper: Here’s what separated Mays from the rest.
Frank Robinson said, “The athleticism of the black player changed the game after 1947. And there was no greater athlete than Willie Mays.”
Ken Griffey Jr said, “I think of him as the godfather of centerfielders.”
If Mays wasn’t the greatest player ever – that was Babe Ruth – he was the greatest athlete ever to play the game.
reno24
And Joe D said “Willie Mays is the closest to being perfect I’ve ever seen.”
Yankee Clipper
Reno: For ME it is Ruth/Mays at the top of the mountain. I think people suggesting Mays is “best all-around player” is an accurate assessment for Mays. I only meant to say that for others To believe Mays isn’t the #1 player of all time is a perfectly justifiable viewpoint. .
Joe D saying that about Willie doesn’t surprise me. Williams was also close to the game for his entire life and said later in life (after Mays was well-retired) that it was DiMaggio. It’s Ted Williams, so due credibility must be given.
avenger65
Maybe Williams said that about DiMaggio because they played in the 30’s and ’40’s, well before Mays played a full season in the majors.
bostonbob
Tp, might be?? He was the GREATEST 5 tool player to ever lace em up.
okiguess
“Mays is only narrowly behind Barry Bonds and Ruth in Baseball Reference’s Wins Above Replacement”
.
Boggle the mind to envision Willie on steroids. You could easily add 100 WAR at least.
LLGiants64
Might be? Wow.
mcase7187
If you try to buy his autograph here’s some u should know Willie had his own athletic sticker as proof it’s real/coa
matt41265
RIP, sir
Cohens_Wallet
R.I.P
davidk1979
Best all around player in mlb history rip
all in the suit that you wear
RIP
Redsoxx_62
Damn, right before the Rickwood field game too
5TUNT1N
Sad they couldn’t have had it earlier in the season, the writing was on the wall when he said he couldn’t attend and sent his regards and wishes a few days ago. Shame he didn’t get to witness it.
Blue Baron
Not a few days ago. It was 24 hours before he died – his last public words.
BlueSkies_LA
Say, hey. A sad day.
Yankeesforever
So long Say hey Kid,
As a kid I kept the newspaper from the day he retired, still have it,
RIP
10centBeerNight
Greatest to ever do it. RIP
mikevm3
One of the game’s greateat icons
sambino
RIP Willie. Condolences to his family and friends.
CravenMoorehead
The game has lost an icon. Very sad day for baseball. Rest in peace.
angelsbroncosfan
RIP to the greatest CF of all time
C Yards Jeff
Mr Five Tool. Plus there was a foundational kid like joy to his game. He was having a lot of fun out there! Cool to see.
alwaysgo4two
When I read that he had to miss the Rickwood games, I had a feeling that wasn’t going to be good. Say Hey Willie. RIP
met man
The best that ever lived.RIP Willie
Ryan Eggen
That’s tragic, so close to the Rickwood game, as a Giants fan this hurts even more.
AirY0rdan
RIP, I was never a huge Mays fan and I got chills reading this article. A true legend.
swinging wood
RIP, Say Hey Kid
HiredGun23
This brought a tear to my eye, man. One of the true greats has been called up to the big leagues. RIP Mr. Mays…
Bucket Number Six
Just old enough to remember Willie’s last year in the majors.
Remember his picture in the paper of him wiping a tear away while announcing his retirement.
Remember him driving a go ahead run for the Mets in the ’73 World Series.
Remember him appealing to the umpire on his knees with arms outstretched after a call at the plate went against the Mets in the same Series.
Finished career third all-time in home runs.
I wonder if he could have hit 700 had he not missed time for serving during the Korean War.
drtymike0509
one of the best to ever do it, if not the best. rest in peace. I didn’t get to watch him I missed out
86mets
Rest in Peace Willie. Say Hey to all the other greats who have gone before. One of the greatest players of all time. The man who was a true 5 tool superstar. I hope all 30 teams wear a #24 patch to honor this legend.
Motown is My Town
What a legendary player and no doubt have 2nd greatest player baseball has ever seen, only behind Babe Ruth. We have lost a mountain of a man and on the eve of Juneteenth and the MLB game at Rickwood on Thursday makes it even sadder. RIP Sey Hey Kid
talking baseball
Babe Ruth was not a 5 tool player, Willie Mays was !!!
Rest in Peace # 24
FOREVER GIANT ⚾️
Bucket Number Six
Willie Mays couldn’t pitch, but I’d take Mays first.
Maverick12
Babe Ruth was also a star pitcher. Not really the time to argue about it though. I personally think it’s Ruth, but if someone says Willie, then I don’t even argue it bc they could be right.
Non Roster Invitee
Ruth was.
gilgunderson
It’s Mays’ speed and defense versus Ruth’s pitching. Really impossible to definitely put one player over the other IMO.
trespada
RIP. A true legend.
Saint Nick
Nooooo. That sucks. RIP Legend.
Human Being
Legendary in so many ways.
Josh Ua.
Rest in Power, king.
Pads Fans
Awwww. RIP Mr Mays. Say Hey! You were the best all around player to ever play this wonderful game. I was blessed to have seen you play from 1969 on and while you were in your late 30s, your exceptional talent still shone through. Thanks for the joy that you gave baseball fans everywhere that were privileged to see you play.
its_happening
How good would his numbers have been if he did not miss part of 1952 and all of 1953 for the Korean War. It’s possible he catches Ruth first.
One of the greatest ever.
Baller4mlb
My condolences to him, his family, and anyone somehow involved or who was lucky enough to cross paths with this pioneer over the course of his illustrious mlb career. Rip to the legend forever Willie Mays
Johnny utah
the mount rushmore of baseball:
babe ruth, lou gehrig, ted williams, willie mays
Pads Fans
Mt Rushmore of baseball BATTERS.
Johnny utah
yes thats what i meant. my bad
probly need to boot gehrig and put someone like koufax in there if we’re incl pitchers
RIP willie
Pads Fans
I think we just need two baseball Mt Rushmores facing each other across a valley,because how do you boot any of those guys.
casualfan
Uh, not Koufax. How about Walter Johnson? Probs the best hurler to ever toe the rubber.
Johnny utah
@casual
Walter, christy, cy.
There’s alot of guys you could say are the best pitcher ever.
But nobody ever had a stretch like koufax the latter half of his career. And there’s nobody else you want if you needed 1 game to win it all. Also i think ya gotta factor in the deadball era when discussing players who pitched 100+ yrs ago
CardsFan57
RIP Willie. You were one of the very best of all time.
kingsfan1968
RIP Willie!
toycannon
There is crying in baseball tonight. Rest in Peace dear man.
5TUNT1N
Was sad to hear Dave share the news on the broadcast he was so clearly choking up.
Guard the Vogt
What a sad day for baseball. Wish I could have seen him play live
CardsFan57
I did get to see him play as a high schooler. I saw Aaron and Clemente play as well. I chose my straight A ticket games specifically to see the great players of my high school years. Obviously I also saw the Cardinal greats of that time. It still pleases me to have seen those players. Unfortunately, I didn’t see Mantle since there was no inter league play.
Guard the Vogt
Wow! Thanks for sharing! That’s really awesome! I lived in Saint Louis during my high school years and had the privilege to watch Albert Pujols. That was a treat for me.
Now that we both know, what high school? I was Mehlville lol
CardsFan57
I lived on the Illinois side. I went to high school at Belleville East.
Guard the Vogt
I did my first few years in the AF there at Scott AFB as well. Familiar with that side of the river too!
Johnny utah
who can forget his over the shoulder catch in the ’54 World Series
that might be the most iconic defensive play in baseball history!
Guard the Vogt
We should redo the MLB logo with that catch. Keep current one for MiLB
Johnny utah
willie was a part of the 2 most memorable plays in baseball history.
he was standing on deck when bobby thomson hit “The shot heard round the world” as well
This one belongs to the Reds
They talk about the catch but he made a hell of a throw afterwards too!
warnbeeb
It’s a debate that’s as old as the game, but for me, Willie Mays was the best baseball player….ever.
5TUNT1N
Here here.
Bozzmania
Greatest in my lifetime
jorge78
Man, The Greatest.
RIP Mr. Mays…..
giants forever
I guess Willie will make it to the game at Rickwood stadium, after all! I can’t help but shed a tear for the GOAT. Rest In Peace our most beloved GIANT! Anthony that was a very real written article.
ray1
RIP, Say Hey.
James1955
I saw Willie Mays play at Candlestick Park as a kid. Best all around player. RIP.
This one belongs to the Reds
Willie, oh man. Really sad to hear this. One of my favorite players, and he never played for my favorite team. It was him and Johnny Bench.
I got his autograph as a kid at Riverfront when he was with the Mets. One of my favorite memories and he was very nice. I have to say though, he never looked right in that Mets uniform.
That iconic play…enough said. Probably would have beaten the Babe’s record first if not for the service.
RIP Willie. You are roaming a bigger center field now but you got it covered.
Gmen777
You were my father’s favorite player and are probably the sole reason I’m a Giants fan. Now he can watch you up there again! RIP Willie Mays
408inthe619
Likewise. Sad day for sure
Brew88
For position hitters, and depending on your opinion of Bonds, Mays was the last living giant of the game. Both Aaron and Mantle said he was the league’s best in their generation. And they were right. At age 5 I grabbed his HR in left field at the Murph in SD but had it wrestled away by a teen with a Patrick Henry hat. If that dude is still alive and reading this, how did kharma treat you?
Johnny utah
i cant think of another all time great from the 50s/60s who is still alive. koufax?
sad we dont have anyone even close to the greatness of willie/hank/dimaggio today. the guys who played in the 90s were all drug users and cheaters. and current mlb superstars like trout or julio arent in the same league as willie mays or ted williams. acuna’s amazing but he’s always tearing his acl
griffey might have been the closest to those stars of a bygone era.
warnbeeb
Luis Aparicio now becomes the oldest living HOF’er.
scottaz
RIP Say Hey
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Rest in Paradise Willie
Long story short. My dad grew up watching Mays when the Mets went to Wrigley. My grandfather would get so drunk. Mays would hit 3 maybe 4 homeruns. He would ask “what’s that ahole still doing on 2nd?
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Doubles not homeruns. Lol. That makes the story make more sense.
NoSaint
The heroes of my youth are passing to eternity. Condolences to the Mays family.
Acoss1331
Rest in peace Willie Mays, one of the greatest players of all-time. May you and Hank Aaron play in the field of dreams.
Edp007
RIP great one. Forever etched on the Mt Rushmore of baseball.
Homer_Heins
Sad day for all of who love this game to lose one of the absolute, unquestionable all time greatest players and icons of sports, a name that is one with baseball, as much as any, and probably more so because he achieved a long career of success while battling through a tough era, along with Jackie and so many others. I love people like Willie Mays. He is the greatness of America.
Mitchell Page
I only saw him play for the Mets on his last year as a 10 year old in NYC .
Johnny utah
nice! he nearly helped the mets win a WS
Sealbeach Comber
I was lucky enough to see Mays & McCovey play for the Giants in the early 70’s. I was very young but even then I knew there was something magical about him.
RIP Kid.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Legend
Blue Baron
Saw him play live in 1971 with the Giants and 1972-73 with the Mets. He was over 40 and noticeably slower, but his greatness still shined through.
Hit a home run to beat the Giants in his Mets debut at Shea, 5/14/72, like lightning in a bottle.
King Floch
Heaven just acquired one of the very best to ever step foot on a baseball field.
RIP, legend.
dano62
Consider myself blessed to see & live during a time of so many GOATs – Ali, Orr, Jordan, Chamberlain, Howe, Mays, Aaron and Secretariat… RIP Mr Mays
O'sSayCanYouSee
God’s speed Kid. Thank you so much.
Blue Baron
*Godspeed. Indeed.
Susannah
Rest in peace.
tuck 2
GOAT
5TUNT1N
Thanks to Willie for having such an impact on the sport and fans lives. Thanks all of you commenters for sharing your memories of how great Willie was or how he would cause your team trouble at times. Love seeing us all come together as a fan of the sport to recognize such a great player and man for the sport of baseball. We will always think about Willie everytime we set foot inside the ballpark, rightfully so you are now gone but will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Willie you deserve it. For anyone interested a few years ago John Shea of the chronicle had a book released and it’s a bunch of stories related to Willie’s life, may not be the best baseball book but as a giants fan and baseball fan I thought it was really well done!
Mendoza Line 215
Greatest player that I ever saw in watching 63.years of MLB.
Had all five tools and knew how to play the game.
Gave us so many great memories.
“Say Hey” to all of the other HOF’s.You’re be starting in CF tomorrow.
RIP Willie.
Gwynning
RIP Kid
TigersLoveCinnamon
RIP to the greatest all around player ever.
Why mention the Bobby Thompson homer, without saying who was on deck. It was Willie.
Blue Baron
Even if his name was Bobby THOMSON.
It may seem trivial to you, but it’s respectful to the player to verify the spelling on Baseball Reference if you’re not sure.
Rsox
R.I.P. Willie
Yankeesforever
They said that he never tinkled on a toilet seat. Not even once. A true legend in everything he did.
Blue Baron
They? Who said that?
Yankeesforever
dont make me turn your screen name into Blacknblue Baron,
What’s with the tough question?
Blue Baron
What’s with your post? Assuming it was a joke, it’s not even funny.
Yankeesforever
well then dont laugh continue being humorless, the potted plants will always welcome your presence at a fun party.
Blue Baron
Not particularly mate, but if you got invited you’d have known that.
hiflew
RIP. I guess he was one of the last “superstar” players of the 50s generation. I apologize if I am forgetting someone. That is the first generation that fans REALLY got to know because of baseball cards really taking off starting in 1952. Even though they are expensive, at least we still have the cardboard reminders of that group that is no longer with us in body.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Watching Tbs and they mentioned a squeaky voice … of all things lol
The funny thing is Jim Bouton mentioned a squeaky voice too in his book Ball Four
Also Bouton mentioned meeting Willie Mays apparently for the first time and Mays was in the batting cage…. Bouton told him when he was a kid…he and his brother would go to see Willie Mays play at the Polo Grounds…Mays feigned anger because Bouton said he saw Mays play when he was a kid and Mays was now an Old Man…however he outlived Bouton by a few years and 93 is pretty good and Mays is beloved…he led a good life on the field and off the field as well… I am impressed and may Willie Mays Rest in Peace
Halos4Life
Say hey kid.. What an athlete.. He will be missed but not forgotten..
Moleyrussell’swart
Rest in peace Legend
rickoppelt
Rest easy say hey kid. Much love. I want to cry.
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
May his memory be eternal.
I didn’t really see him play on TV until he was with the Mets, much like my first baseball memory was Banks’ 500th HR in May 1970. They were great because Jack Brickhouse said they were, and as a first grader I accepted it. Still I became more fond of Clemente and Aaron because they were just a little longer and played at All-star levels when I was starting to understand the game.
Joe Posnanski wrote a great essay a few years ago that if there was ever a “smaller Hall of Fame” that it would only have Willie Mays in it.
Bucket Number Six
Brickhouse did the play-by-play call for Willie’s famous catch in the ’54 Series.
That’s right, Jack.
rememberthecoop
Well then he was wrong. To not have Babe Ruth in it is simply inexcusable.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Prototype of the 5-tool player….
Mojo37
Most exciting player I ever saw. Celebrate his life and his career. Say Hey.
AdamM
I saw him play in person at my first MLB game at Candlestick Park, 1968. Marichal against Gibson. Became a life long Giants fan as a 10 year old boy. We paid $1.00 to sit in the wooden bleachers. I remember him saying hello to the kids. Mays, McCovey, Marichal. Brock, Flood, Cepeda, Gibson. My second favorite team are the St. Louis Cardinals.
CO Guardening
What a great time to reflect on an amazing career in Baseball. Willie Mays was an icon and incredible ambassador for the sport. He will be missed.
YankeesBleacherCreature
RIP Say Hey Kid.
Flanster
RIP Willie!!! One of the all-time greatest players ever !!!
b00giem@n
Legend. Unfortunate..
Mike56
My dad took me to my first mlb game in 1965. I was 8 years old. Thought I was in heaven. Willie Mays started in CF. Willie McCovey at 1B. Lou Brock Curt Flood Ken Boyer Tim McCarver all playing for Cards. Cards won 6-5 I think in extra innings. You don’t forget stuff like that. Seeing a legend in Willie
Rugga
R.I.P.
rememberthecoop
Willie Mays wasn’t just one of the greatest baseball players of all time – he was a cultural icon. What the Say Hey Kid accomplished went beyond the numbers. Although the stats were astounding, Mays embodied the spirit of baseball in ways that went far beyond what was on the back of his baseball card. Rest in peace, Willie.
Bozzmania
I didn’t see “the catch” but I”ll never forget watching a Dodger Vs Giants game on TV and 2 Giants going for a ball against the old chain link fence at Candlestick. Incredibly Willie leaped over the right fielder to make the catch bouncing off the fence. Never seen anything like it before or since. They keep showing “the catch”:tonight but this one outdid it. Any old time Giants fans remember it?
No one could play the game like Willie
5TUNT1N
I remember the fence, not that particular catch though! Hopefully with celebration videos surely being created someone can find some footage.
Bozzmania
They did show it multiple times last night on ESPN . With Bonds coming at him full speed at same time unbelievable, both ended in a pile but Willie makes catch at top of fence
John Bird
The right fielder was Bobby Bonds.
User 2976510776
What a legend. If you watch the home crowd in “The Catch” you can see some fans already cheering in anticipation like Jordan going up for a dunk! They said he made those plays before
Non Roster Invitee
I saw Willie play his last game as a Giant at Candlestick Park. He ran down a fly ball and his feet never touched the ground.
As a young kid we waited for the team to leave the park. When Mays left, he drove out in his pink Cadillac with MAYS24 on his license plate. Dozens of kids followed his car down the way. I touched his elbow! What a thrill. Didn’t wash my hand for a week.
5TUNT1N
So awesome! Thanks for sharing!
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Say
It ain’t so….
TampaHuey
Just simply legendendary…. We grew up reading about and watching him. At 40 years old he drew 112 walks. Tough seeing all the childhood legends leave us. Been many the past few years. Guys like Mays are what made us love baseball
CCooper8920
Thank you for everything Willie Mays
Fred McGriff HR
I was just reading how he would not be attending at Rickwood yesterday, and then today came the sad news. R.I.P Mr Mays.
Theghostoftycobb
I cried when i read mays, and west, died.
cdouglas24000
Top 5 MLB player all time. That includes pitching. Anyone that wants to argue #1, I wouldn’t fight em too hard on that one either. He was one of the major keg cogs that kept the MLB churning for the 50s and 60s. No one ever had a salty word towards the say Hey kid. Griffey said it best about him: “he is the Godfather of center fielders. A true Giant on and off the field.”
Downtheline802
He is the number 1 player of all time on ALOT of people’s top players ever list mine included. RIP GOAT
John Bird
I was four when the Giants came west. I remember watching Willie bat on a black and white tv in a apparent blizzard, The first game I went to at the old Candlestick (before they closed it in for football) Willie hit a pinch hit home run to tie the game before McCovey hit one to win it in the tenth. So many memories. RIP #24
norcalblue
I was fortunate to see him play in person. He was given all the tools to be great. He worked hard to perfect those tools. I believe he was the most complete and accomplished baseball player to play the great game.
RobM
No need to equivocate. He was the greatest player ever.
The greatest player ever and the last icon from the Golden Age of MLB.
RIP and condolences to family and friends of the Say Hey Kid.
Buccoprojectory
Yes he was the greatest all round. First 5 tool player. I remember Mays Aaron and the Great one. Clemente, at the all star game posing for a picture. RIP WILLIE
Blue Baron
No argument about his greatness, but not even close to the first 5-tool player.
Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, and Honus Wagner were a few who predated him in MLB, and there were dozens in the pre-integration Negro Leagues.
DeepDownSouth
Nobody doubts he wasn’t the 1st 5-tool player, most are just saying he was the best 5-tool player & I don’t think there’s even much question about that.
crosseyedlemon
I don’t often visit this forum but when a sports legend passes you have to acknowledge the occasion. Willie Mays was the player all us tykes on the sandlot wanted to be back in the day when we were at that age where you collect trading cards. He was baseball’s version of football great Jim Brown. The only difference between those guys and Superman was that they didn’t fly around with an “S” on their chests. R.I.P. Willie…you’ll always be in the heart of true fans of the game.
letitbelowenstein
My boyhood idol and hero. RIP, Willie. To me, you were the greatest of all time.
Guayacon
RIP WILLIE CONDOLENCE TO YOUR FAMILY THE BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME
Norm Chouinard
Willie, Mickey and The Duke back together again
Old York
Willie Mays’ journey from the Birmingham Black Barons to the Giants is a testament to his extraordinary talent and determination. He broke barriers and set new standards, all while carrying himself with grace and humility. His contributions to the game transcended the field, impacting American culture and advancing the cause of racial integration in sports.
Thank you, Willie, for the memories, the magic, and the moments that will live on forever in the annals of baseball history. Rest in peace, Say Hey Kid. You will never be forgotten.
Redwolves3
Eric Engle, “Locked On Giants Postcast” suggested that Commissioner Manfred needs to have all players & coaches at Rickwood game tomorrow wear number “24” & black armbands on their jerseys.
Krueger also suggested that Commissioner Manfred retire number “24” not be issued to any player on any MLB team going forward.
WILLIE MAYS was a true LEGEND & 5-TOOL SUPERSTAR.
whyhayzee
When I was in first grade, we played kickball at recess. Over time, I managed to kick every ball onto the roof of the school. They had to send a janitor onto the roof to get them back. My first grade teacher nicknamed me Willie after Willie Mays. He was ubiquitous in our culture. And needless to say, as a baseball player until the age of 41, I was no Willie Mays! Just a wonderful player, could have broken Ruth’s record like Aaron. It breaks my heart to see these fakers on the all-time home run list with such legendary names. Damn you, Bud Selig, no place in the Hall of Fame should ever be reserved for the shame of baseball turning into professional wrestling, all for the money.
DeepDownSouth
Undoubtedly the greatest all-around baseball player in history. I had a chance to see him play once on TV broadcast with my dad in the late 60’s early 70’s. My dad made me watch him, which him making me watch Mr May’s play turned me into a rabid baseball fan. He was just a part time player then, but my dad told me so much about the “Say Hey Kid” I wasn’t too impressed then, until I began reading about him, and seeing video footage of him. RIP to the greatest to play the game. Condolences to his family
Silas
RIP Sir. My 1st MLB game May 8th, 1970 I was 7. My dad was still a Giants fan living in NY took my brother and I when the Giants came to Shea. He hit 2 line drive homers (his last 2 HR game) against Gary Gentry. Thanks to Baseball Almanac I was able to figure out the the date of that game a few years ago. I went on to become a Yankee fan by age 12. Willie was a model sportsman and a good human being.
Non Roster Invitee
Willie Mays let me down in 1970. I was a young child and I remember him telling the media in Spring Training that he would steal 24 (his #) bases and he stole 23. LOL.
whyhayzee
It was 1971. And he DID steal 24 bases, one in the postseason.
depletion
I saw him play as a Met. I saw him on TV many times. What a great career, and a great representative of the game off the field.
Willie Mays playing stickball with kids: (youtube.com/watch?v=0YCdHIZZNNM)
Thank you, Mr. Mays, for all the thrills. Fellow fans: I am wearing my Mets cap today. Please wear some baseball gear today. If someone asks you “why”, you can give them a nice story or two.
PiratesFan1981
Roberto Clemente will always be my favourite ball player of all time. But will always be fascinated by Willie Mays clips as well. “The Catch” is legendary even 60+ years later. It’s the most iconic plays in baseball to this day. From a Pirates fan, RIP Mayes and you will always be one of the greatest players of all time in my book. Stats are just numbers, iconic players live forever. You were definitely iconic and a legend.
JoeBrady
To this day, I am annoyed at the commissioner for banning them for working with casinos. These guys were generational players, and MLB should’ve counted themselves lucky to have them available to show up occasionally at big games.
But MLB completely missed the boat.
GoGreen
Rest in peace Legend.
pharmor_loverchicagoridge
Rowland Office is still the best player ever. His career was cut way too short
Bob Ivy Jr
R.I.P. Willie. You will be missed. Heaven just gained another Hall of Famer.
Jump 84
Legends never die. Godfather of center fielders.
THEHOUSETHATMOSEBYBUILT
“He runs the bases like a choo-choo train
Swings around second like an aeroplane
His cap flies off when he passes third
And he heads home like an eagle bird.
Say hey, say who?
Say Willie
Say hey, say who?
Swinging at the plate
Say hey, say who?
Say Willie
That Giants kid is great”
~ w/ thanx to the Treniers, 1955
Blessings
mcase7187
If you try to buy his autograph here’s some u should know Willie had his own athletic sticker as proof it’s real/coa
bcjd
If Shohei Ohtani is the modern Babe Ruth, then the modern Willy Mays is Mookie Betts.
Roasted DNA
So my 1st ever ballgame was in Cincinnati 1967.. Giants had the crew then McCovey – Mays – Hart – Alou etc.
Cincy featured a rookie catcher called Bench. You knew he would be great because he took a freight train called McCovey who tried in inside the park home run – he completely blew up Bench who after flying 3 feet backwards stuck his arm up with the ball. McCovey helped him up.
gary55wv
It’s hard to call anyone a GOAT in baseball especially. There are so many. I lean towards Ruth, because he was baseball for a decade. No one else compares in any decade with how close he was to the ceiling compared to everyone else. I really can’t compare the Josh Gibsons of the world to the stars of MLB. It’s unfortunate that happened the way it did. Competition ranks which is why Dimagios, Clemens, Bonds, and Mays are all great. Missed many here. Many great ballers.
joew
One of the best of all time. Really cannot say the best only because of rule changes through the years.
Willie certainly hasn’t gotten the praise his play is due.
If you where to walk up to me in the street and say name the best five players in MLB history i would name five with out Willie then of course someone nearby would say, What about Willie and of course I would take Joe Orsulak off my list of 5 and put Willie in there. He just didn’t get the air time as much as some others.
BannedMarlinsFanBase
May he rest in peace. Another star added to the afterlife team.
Blue Baron
He even made a diving basket catch in the 1981 Mets Oldtimers game AT 50 YEARS OLD!
youtu.be/UiDIIIOF-YQ?si=axHXTEcR0TicaKPs
Johnny utah
top 5 in all time home runs:
1/ aaron 755
2/ babe 714
3/ pujols 703
4/ mays 660
5/ griffey 630
Balk
My dad used to sit and tell me stories about meeting Willie Mays as a kid at candlestick. Taught my dad about blasting caps…ha! Rest in peace to the greatest baseball legends of all time!
jorge78
RIP Willie…..