Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Willie Mays passes away at age of 93
Reading time: 3 minutes
Birmingham native and Hall of Fame member Willie Mays has died at the age of 93.
The San Francisco Giants announced the news Tuesday night on social media as the Birmingham Barons and the Montgomery Biscuits played at Rickwood Field.
Keep reading to find out more about Mays’ career + see reaction from fans and others as the news broke.
Hall of Fame career
Willie Mays was born in Westfield, Alabama and started his career as a teenager with the Birmingham Black Barons. He quickly moved to Major League Baseball, racking up 660 home runs and 3,292 hits in his career.
His accolades included:
- 24-time All-Star
- 12-time Gold Glove winner
- 2-time MVP
- World Series Champion
Mays was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. Before his death, he was the oldest living member of the Hall of Fame.
Earlier this week, it was announced Mays would not be attending the games at Rickwood Field.
Reactions pour in after news breaks
The Giants posted the news as the 7th inning stretch hit at Rickwood Field. You could sense the crowd turn their attention from the game as more and more people checked their phones, finding out about Mays’ passing.
Prior to the 8th inning, that news was announced to the crowd. A graphic was shown on the videoboard just before a standing ovation from the crowd honored Mays’ life and baseball career.
Other reaction from members of the baseball community also came out shortly after the news broke.
“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. 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.”
~ MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement
As the minor league game was being shown on MLB Network, the broadcast cut to the news including a montage of video of Mays’ career.
Earlier this month, a new mural of Mays was put on the side of a building on 1st Avenue North in Birmingham.
The Biscuits won the game Tuesday night but as both teams hit the press conference after the game, they mostly spoke on Willie Mays and his legacy.
“It definitely hits you a little bit. It gets you to think back on what an honor it is to not just wear the jersey but participate in the game today… Willie Mays left a legacy that we want to fulfill. We’re all trying to play the game the way he played.”
~ Barons manager Sergio Santos
What’s your favorite memory of Willie Mays’ career? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn!
