The sports world — and beyond — remembers Willie Mays: ‘Changed the game forever’
The sports world paid tribute to one of its icons on Tuesday.
Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid,” died at the age of 93 on Tuesday, and tributes from the sports world were quick to pour in for the baseball legend.
“I’ll never forget this day when I walked in and heard, ‘that’s that boy who wears his hat like this,'” former Yankees hurler C.C. Sabathia wrote on X. “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.”
“I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion,” ex-Giants slugger Barry Bonds — Mays’ godson — wrote on Instagram. “I have no words to describe what you mean to me- you helped shape me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug for me. Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever.”
“R.I.P to Willie Mays!,” ex-MLB slugger Frank Thomas shared on X. “There’s great players and then there’s True Legends. God Bless.”
Mays, born in Westfield, Alabama in 1931, was a 24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove winner, four-time National League home run leader and twice took home NL MVP honors.
He led the Giants to a World Series championship in 1954 and was the first player to record 30 steals and 30 home runs in a season, as well as the first to reach 300 of each in his career.
When he retired after the 1973 season, he ranked second in the National League in games played with 2,992, third in home runs (660), RBIs (1,903), total bases (6,066), extra-base hits (1,232) and walks (1,464).
“Willie Mays #24 was a legend amongst legends,” former Phillies star Jimmy Rollins wrote on X. “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.”
“One of the best to ever play the game,” former A’s star Jose Canseco wrote. “Rest in Peace Willie Mays.”
Around the baseball world, so many games and broadcasts took time to honor Mays’ life.
“A Hero to so many and my father’s favorite player,” former big leaguer Jerry Hairston Jr. posted. “An Icon in the Sports world. #RIP Willie Mays.”
The remembrances weren’t just confined to his baseball compatriots.
“It was a privilege to know him,” tennis icon Billie Jean King posted. “He was a such a kind soul, who gifted my brother Randy a new glove and a television during his rookie year with the Giants.”
“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,” Magic Johnson shared. “Cookie and I are praying for his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.”
In fact, it wasn’t even limited to athletes.
“Had the honor of talking with him several times,” actor Billy Crystal shared on social media.
“He loved that we mentioned his ‘54 World Series catch in @CitySlickers. RIP 24… a thrill to watch you play.”
