Willie Mays’ death was announced at 5:52 p.m. PST on Tuesday by the San Francisco Giants, the team he played for for 21 seasons. The events that followed underscored the strength of his legacy, not just as a Hall of Fame player, but as an integral part of baseball’s rich history.
Mays’ death at age 93 sent shockwaves throughout baseball, first affecting Giants broadcasts.
“It is with great sadness that we share this news released by the Giants that the great Willie Mays has passed away,” Giants play-by-play announcer John Miller said. “He passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93.”
“It is with great sadness that we share this news released by the Giants: The great Willie Mays has passed away. He passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93.”
John Miller announces the passing of the legendary Willie Mays. pic.twitter.com/p8s6MNszZw
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 19, 2024
The Giants also posted a statement from Mays’ son, Michael, thanking fans for the support given to his father.
“My father passed away peacefully surrounded by those he loved,” Michael Mays said. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the unwavering love you showed my father over the years. You were his lifeblood.”
MLB quickly released a statement from Commissioner Rob Manfred: [Mays’] “The incredible accomplishments and statistics alone do not express the amazement of watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. He made a statement himself.
Barry Bonds, whose godfather was Willie Mays when he played with Bobby Bonds, responded on Instagram:
I am devastated and overwhelmed with emotions. 💔 Words cannot express what you mean to me. You made me who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there for me. Please give him a hug for me.
Rest in peace Willie. Love you forever. #SayHey ⚾️
Mays’ death will have a major impact on the Giants’ next game at Rickwood Field, where they will face the St. Louis Cardinals at the home of the Negro League Birmingham Black Barons, for whom Mays played before signing with the Giants in 1950. The Giants released a statement the day before from Mays, explaining that he would be unable to attend the game because he “is not as mobile as he used to be.”
At the time Mays’ death was announced, Rickwood Field was hosting a minor league game between the Birmingham Barons (named after Mays’ hometown team) and the Montgomery Biscuits.
MLB Network announcer Rich Waltz could be heard battling emotions while reading the Giants’ announcements during the game.
Many more people responded in the hours that followed, including New York Mets announcer Keith Hernandez, who attended Mets games during his brief stint with the then-new franchise, and got teary-eyed when recalling meeting the legend.
“I’ve been to Shea Stadium when he was younger and I was with him when he got older and became blind. What always struck me was he was the ‘Say Hey’ kid, that bubbly personality, infectious, genuine. I told him he was the best player I’d ever seen.”
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, via Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also spoke about meeting Mays, who reportedly gave the former MVP the nickname “Pittsburgh.”
“Well, before you had Bonds and Griffey and Stargell and all those guys, you had Willie Mays. Willie Mays was there before you had Rickey Henderson and all those great center fielders. He was a pioneer in baseball. I was very fortunate to be with the Giants. Honestly, one of the reasons I was so excited to go to the Giants was because I knew I was going to be around guys like Willie McCovey, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and all those guys. So his legacy will live on.”
“Anyone who had even a day of contact with Mays, I’m sure there’s a story. There’s sure to be something. My nickname was ‘Pittsburgh.’ That was my nickname to him. He always called me Pittsburgh. I followed a lot of the games we played and I always talked to him whenever I had the chance. I’m sure every time. He probably got tired of me. But whenever I had the chance to be with him, I was there for him.”
Many black baseball players responded on social media, including John Shea, a longtime San Francisco Chronicle reporter who is a friend of Mays and co-author of his autobiography.
May Willie Mays rest in peace. A great player, a true legend. May God bless him🙏🏾
— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) June 19, 2024
May the great Willie Mays rest in peace. It was an honor to meet you and speak to you for a few hours. Thank you for inspiring our game. Your accomplishments will never be forgotten.
— Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) June 19, 2024
I’ll never forget the day I walked into the store and heard, “That’s the boy who wears his hat like this.”
Rest in peace Willie Mays. You changed this sport forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dreams. Thank you for all you did on and off the field. You will always be in our hearts… pic.twitter.com/Xv2ZHbKFvt
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) June 19, 2024
Willie Mays #24 was a legend among legends. I was lucky enough to spend a few weeks with Willie. He had baseball in his heart and could swear like no one else. Thank you Willie 🙏🏾🕊️ #Paradise of Peace
— Jimmy Rollins (@JimmyRollins11) June 19, 2024
My heart is broken. We all have hearts that are broken. The world has lost an absolute hero and treasure. The great Willie Mays, everyone’s friend, passed away today. Rest in Peace. Two days before his big day at Rickwood Field. The greatest, most exciting player of all time. He changed the world. He was 93 years old.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) June 19, 2024
