The Legendary Willie Mays dies aged 93

The Complete Player

It’s hard to put into words the greatness of Willie Mays. Arguably the greatest of all time in a sport that has such a deep history, Willie Mays was truly a complete player. Speed, throwing, hitting for both average and power (660 home runs!) And with all of this withstanding, the defining play of his career came on defense. The Giants legend who spent 2 decades of his career with the Giants before ending his career with the Mets, was simply one of one. A 2 time MVP with 24 all-star game appearances alongside 12 gold gloves, the Hall of Famer will be missed by many.

Tributes Pouring in

To understand how much Willie Mays meant to the game of baseball, look at the tributes his peers are giving him. Willie wasn’t just a legend on the field but off as well. Starting his career in the Negro League, Willie Mays was a pivotal reason for African Americans being taken seriously in baseball. The pressure of becoming a star in America when much of the country was still highly prejudicial was immense. Among the most moving tributes was the one from the San Francisco Giants and announcer Jon Miller. The 4-minute video is truly a must-watch to try and appreciate how much Willie Mays meant to the Bay Area. “He leaves us with a lasting reminder: to work hard and find joy in this great game, and this extraordinary life. Say Hey, Willie Mays. The best there ever was.”

Say Hey Willie Mays

Willie Mays was one of the most marketable and beloved icons in professional sports. His nickname, “Say Hey Willie Mays,” is one of the most iconic in all of baseball. Despite the fame of Willie Mays, he was often seen playing stickball with kids in the streets. Mays was someone who cared about America’s pastime, and wanted to see it grow and knew the impact and influence he had on the younger generation. Imagine today Shohei Ohtani playing baseball at a park with little leaguers, not for press or a commercial shoot just for the love of the game. 

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