Willie Mays, the legendary “Say Hey Kid,” passed away peacefully at the age of 93. Known for his unique combination of talent, drive, and exuberance, Mays was one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players.
Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants announced his passing surrounded by loved ones. As the oldest living Hall of Famer, Mays was known for his signature basket catch and his animated dashes around the bases with his cap flying off. His over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series is one of baseball’s most celebrated defensive plays. Over his 22 seasons, primarily with the New York/San Francisco Giants, Mays batted .302, hit 660 home runs, had over 3,000 hits, scored more than 2,000 runs, and won 12 Gold Gloves.
Mays was named Rookie of the Year in 1951, earned the Most Valuable Player award twice, and placed in the top 10 for MVP voting on 10 other occasions. His impact on the game of baseball both on and off the field solidified his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.