Baseball World Pays Tribute to the Late Willie Mays

Karl Rasmussen | Jun 18, 2024

San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays before the game in the final regular season game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park. / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Willie Mays, one of the greatest and most influential baseball players to ever live, passed away peacefully Tuesday at the age of 93.

The "Say Hey Kid" was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 after an illustrious career in professional baseball which spanned 23 seasons. He made 24 All-Star Games, the second most in league history and launched 660 home runs, good for sixth on the all-time leaderboard.

He's immortalized outside of Oracle Park, located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, with an iconic nine-foot statue, a tribute to the impact he had on both the San Francisco Giants' organization and MLB as a whole.

The loss of one of the sports all-time greats left baseball fans with heavy hearts, and they shared tributes to the legendary outfielder on social media to commemorate his exemplary life on and off the field.

It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024

Commissioner Rob Manfred on the passing of Willie Mays:

"His incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable. We will never forget this true Giant on and off the field." pic.twitter.com/EOtEMwQzTd

— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2024

Heartbreaking

Willie Mays is my mother's hero. I am where I am today because of how he captivated her from a young age. His joy for the game inspired her, and she passed that love on to me.

Baseball is so impactful because of what it means to generations ♥️ https://t.co/q7Z92JyfAl

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 19, 2024

The greatest catch in baseball history.

Rest In Peace Willie Mays pic.twitter.com/mjeygZXJ1B

— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) 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.”

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

— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) June 19, 2024

Willie Mays, one of the greatest players in baseball history, died Tuesday at 93. Owner of 660 home runs, a dozen Gold Gloves and countless indelible moments, the Say Hey Kid epitomized the game during its golden era in an unparalleled 23-year career. A huge loss for baseball.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 19, 2024

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 🙏🏾🕊️ #restinparadise

— JIMMY ROLLINS (@JimmyRollins11) June 19, 2024

R.I.P to Willie Mays! There’s great players and then there’s True Legends. God Bless🙏🏾

— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) June 19, 2024

I'm devastated to hear about the passing of the legendary Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the main reasons I fell in love with baseball. Cookie and I are praying for his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. 🙏🏾

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 19, 2024