Willie Mays, MLB legend and Birmingham's own "Say Hey Kid," has died at the age of 93.The San Francisco Giants announced his passing in a post on X Tuesday evening. 鈥淢y father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,鈥� son Michael Mays said in a statement released by the Giants. 鈥淚 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 his life鈥檚 blood.鈥�>>TIMELINE: A look at Willie Mays' careerMays was born in Westfield, Alabama in 1931. It no longer exists, but was in Jefferson County. He was widely regarded as the greatest living baseball player at the time of his death, took to baseball from a young age, beginning his professional career at Rickwood Field as a player for the Birmingham Black Barons when he was just a teenager.Following his high school graduation, Mays was quickly picked up by the San Francisco Giants (then the New York Giants) with whom he would earn 22 NL All-Star awards. He earned two more with the New York Mets."All of Major League Baseball is in mourning today as we are gathered at the very ballpark where a career and a legacy like no other began," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Willie Mays took his all-around brilliance from the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League to the historic Giants franchise. From coast to coast in New York and San Francisco, Willie inspired generations of players and fans as the game grew and truly earned its place as our National Pastime."The former Hall of Famer was recently honored with a documentary screening as well as a massive mural as part of MLB's tribute to Mays and the rest of the Negro Leagues. Just one day before his death, Mays told the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be attending the "Tribute to the Negro Leagues" event at Rickwood Field, opting instead to watch from home.>> INTERACTIVE HISTORY OF RICKWOOD: A timeline of America's oldest ballpark"I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area," Mays said in a statement to the paper on Monday. "My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons," Mays said. "I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who'll be at Rickwood or watching the game. It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it." >> WATCH THE HISTORY: Rickwood Field's Return to GloryThis is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Willie Mays, MLB legend and Birmingham's own "Say Hey Kid," has died at the age of 93.
The San Francisco Giants announced his passing in a post on X Tuesday evening.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
鈥淢y father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,鈥� son Michael Mays said in a statement released by the Giants. 鈥淚 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 his life鈥檚 blood.鈥�
>>TIMELINE: A look at Willie Mays' career
Mays was born in Westfield, Alabama in 1931. It no longer exists, but was in Jefferson County. He was widely regarded as the greatest living baseball player at the time of his death, took to baseball from a young age, beginning his professional career at Rickwood Field as a player for the Birmingham Black Barons when he was just a teenager.
Following his high school graduation, Mays was quickly picked up by the San Francisco Giants (then the New York Giants) with whom he would earn 22 NL All-Star awards. He earned two more with the New York Mets.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
"All of Major League Baseball is in mourning today as we are gathered at the very ballpark where a career and a legacy like no other began," Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Willie Mays took his all-around brilliance from the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League to the historic Giants franchise. From coast to coast in New York and San Francisco, Willie inspired generations of players and fans as the game grew and truly earned its place as our National Pastime."
The former Hall of Famer was recently honored with a documentary screening as well as a massive mural as part of MLB's tribute to Mays and the rest of the Negro Leagues.
Just one day before his death, Mays told the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be attending the "Tribute to the Negro Leagues" event at Rickwood Field, opting instead to watch from home.
>> INTERACTIVE HISTORY OF RICKWOOD: A timeline of America's oldest ballpark
"I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area," Mays said in a statement to the paper on Monday.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
"My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons," Mays said. "I wanted to thank Major League Baseball, the Giants, the Cardinals and all the fans who'll be at Rickwood or watching the game. It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."
>> WATCH THE HISTORY: Rickwood Field's Return to Glory
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
