SAY HEY, WILLIE MAYS!
Who was Willie Mays?
Willie Mays was famously nicknamed the 'Say Hey Kid'
RETIRED baseball player Willie Mays was widely considered one of the most noteworthy athletes in the league's history.
Tragically, he passed away on June 18, 2024, at the age of 93.
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Who was Willie Mays?
Born on May 6, 1931, Willie Mays was an American baseball player from Westfield, Alabama.
Baseball fans often referred to him by the nicknames "The Say Hey Kid" and "Buck."
In 1948, he was drafted by the Negro American League as a player for the Birmingham Black Barons.
On May 24, 1951, the MLB selected Willie to play centerfield for the New York Giants, who have since rebranded as the San Francisco Giants.
He stuck with the SF Giants for 20 years until he was traded to the opposite coast.
In May 1972, the team traded him to the New York Mets in exchange for late pitcher Charlie Williams.
On September 20, 1973, Willie retired from the MLB and announced that year's baseball season was his last.
His retirement from the league followed a career that spanned 21 total seasons.
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Over the years, the famed centerfielder's legacy was recognized consistently through later decades and was even the subject of HBO's 2022 documentary, Say Hey, Willie Mays!
What was Willie Mays' cause of death?
The Giants confirmed Mays' death in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on June 18.
"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," the MLB team .
While his death might've been confirmed, a cause was not provided.
The news came just one day after it was reported that he would not be in attendance for the Giants' Negro League tribute.
"I'm not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area," Mays told the at the time.
"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.
"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," he continued.
Mays was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Mae Louise Allen, who passed away in 2013, and survived by his son, Michael, whom he adopted during his first marriage to Margherite Wendell Chapman.
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What was Willie Mays' net worth?
On January 23, 1979, Willie was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
While receiving the honor, he reflected on his career and shared with the crowd: "What can I say? This country is made up of a great many things. You can grow up to be what you want. I chose baseball, and I loved every minute of it.
"I give you one word—love. It means dedication. You have to sacrifice many things to play baseball.
"I sacrificed a bad marriage and I sacrificed a good marriage. But I'm here today because baseball is my number one love."
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According to , Willie amassed an estimated fortune of $8 million.
He was also a 24-time MLB All-Star, a World Series champion, and a 12-time Golden Glove winner.
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