Baseball icon Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid,” died Tuesday, the San Francisco Giants announced. He was 93 years old.
The 24-time MLB All-Star spent the vast majority of his storied career with the Giants organization. The team issued a statement mourning the life of the legendary player.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that Willie Mays, San Francisco Giants legend and Hall of Famer, passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93,” the Giants said in a statement.
As the tributes poured in, a baseball player who grew up watching Mays became emotional as he recalled one of his fondest memories of the two-time National League MVP.
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Hall of Famer Willie Mays waves to the crowd during the pregame celebration in honor of his 90th birthday before the game between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Friday, May 7, 2021 in San Francisco. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
“At Shea Stadium when (Mays) was younger… and I was also in his company when he was older and legally blind,” said former MLB player and current broadcaster Keith Hernandez during the Mets game in New York against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. evening. “And what always came out was…and he was the 'Say Hey Kid,' and he had that…personality, infectious and genuine.
“And I had to tell him he was the best player I'd ever seen.”
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Hernández made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974 and retired after the 1990 season.
Former New York Met Keith Hernandez throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game one of the 2015 MLB National League Championship Series at Citi Field on October 17, 2015. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Mays spent one season in the Negro Leagues before making his MLB debut in 1951. He spent the final two seasons of his professional career with the Mets and last played in 1973.
Willie's son, Michael Mays, said his loved ones were at his father's side when he died.
Willie Mays died Tuesday at the age of 93. (Getty Images)
“My father has passed away peacefully and among his loved ones,” Michael Mays said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been the blood of his life.”
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May finished his career with 3,293 hits.
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