Farewell to a legend: remembering Willie Mays 19.06.2024

Farewell to a legend: remembering Willie Mays 19.06.2024
The baseball world is mourning the loss of Willie Mays, one of the sport's greatest players, who died at 93.
Mays, twice named league MVP and a 1954 World Series champion with the New York Giants, is celebrated for his iconic catch during the championship, a defining moment in American baseball.
Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays was baseball's oldest living Hall of Famer. His death was announced by his former team, now the San Francisco Giants, with his son, Michael, expressing gratitude for fans' unwavering support.
Major League Baseball (MLB) hailed Mays as one of its most exciting players, with commissioner Rob Manfred highlighting his unmatched on-field dominance.
California Governor Gavin Newsom praised Mays for breaking barriers and inspiring millions, both on and off the field.
The MLB recently added 10 hits to Mays's career total from his time in the Negro League, bringing his record to 3,293 hits.
Mays, born in Westfield, Alabama, began his professional career in 1948 and joined the New York Giants in 1950. After serving in the Korean War, he returned in 1954, earning his first MVP award and leading the Giants to a World Series victory.
In 1972, he joined the New York Mets before retiring two years later. Post-retirement, Mays remained a beloved figure in the Giants community, always offering wisdom to young players.
“He always had time for you," said retired Giants player JT Snow. “Baseball is tough, and he reminded us to keep playing and having fun."
Mays’s straightforward approach to the game-seeing the ball, hitting it, and running the bases-left an indelible mark on baseball history.
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