The San Francisco Giants announced that Willie Mays, the greatest center fielder of all time, died Tuesday afternoon at the age of 93.
"Today we have lost a true legend," Giants chairman Greg Johnson said 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' death comes just two days before the Giants are scheduled to play against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, in a game to honor him and the Negro Leagues.
"Thursday's game at historic Rickwood Field was designed to be a celebration of Willie Mays and his peers," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "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."
The Giants and Chicago Cubs honored Mays with a moment of silence before their game.
A moment of silence for Willie Mays at Wrigley Field during the Giants-Cubs game. pic.twitter.com/df2K8BZRNA
β MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2024
Mays' godson and fellow Giants icon, Barry Bonds, was among the notable figures in the MLB community who paid tribute to Mays on social media.
R.I.P to Willie Mays! There's great players and then there's True Legends. God BlessππΎ
β Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) June 19, 2024
I'll never forget this day when I walked in and heard, "that's that boy who wears his hat like this."
β CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) June 19, 2024
RIP Willie Mays. You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream. Thank you for everything that you did on and off the field. Always in our hearts... pic.twitter.com/Xv2ZHbKFvt
Willie Mays #24 was a legend amongst legends. I am blessed to have spent a few weeks around Willie and I can tell you this, baseball lived deep inside of his heart and he could trash talk with the best of them! Thank you Willie ππΎποΈ #restinparadise
β JIMMY ROLLINS (@JimmyRollins11) June 19, 2024
It was my pleasure and honor to have played against arguably the best @mlb β¦@MLBPAβ© player of all time. And to call #WillieMays my friend is incrediblyspecial #RIP "Say Hey" Kid pic.twitter.com/SFbH1kks41
β Dave Winfield (@DaveWinfieldHOF) June 19, 2024
He was a 24-time All-Star, a 12-time Gold Glover, a 2-time MVP, World Series champion, and a Hall of Famer.
β Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 19, 2024
The great Willie Mays has passed away. It was a privilege to know him. We were both honored by @MLB in 2010 with the Beacon Award, given to civil rights pioneers.
He was... pic.twitter.com/wdTTNUiEmt
Willie Mays' passing is announced to the Rickwood Field crowd, and rising as one, it salutes the Alabama native and former Birmingham Black Baron. pic.twitter.com/e2EHJT1udb
β Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) June 19, 2024