Willie Mays, legendary Giants outfielder and 24-time All-Star, known as the “Say Hey Kid”, has passed away.
The Giants and Cardinals are playing a game tomorrow in Alabama to honor the Negro Leagues. Willie was supposed to attend as a guest of honor but he released a statement just yesterday saying that he wouldn’t be able to attend. It will add a whole new layer to the game.
The greatest of all the Giants. Rest in Peace, Willie Mays.
People sometimes use the word “legend” too casually, but Willie mays was a true legend. R.I.P.
That’s really sad. He’s was such a great player.
When he was with the NY Giants he would often play stickball with the local kids.
He would have been a Yankee if George Weiss (the GM) wasn’t such a typical rascist. There would have been one season of Mays, Mantle and DiMaggio all playing the outfield together.
Just heard about this, and I’m saddened to say the least. Mays was well before my time but as a lifelong baseball fan all I can say is R.I.P. to a true legend.
I think I’m going to go put on Ken Burns’ baseball documentary later this week in honor.
I started collecting cards when I was little, probably because my older brother did. I got May’s 1971 card and still have it somewhere. I was amazed by how small the print got for him and Banks. They both played so many years.
Mays was my favorite non-Yankee.
The GOAT? Possibly.
Yankee Stadium’s left field would have destroyed Mays’ HR totals.
RIP to my favorite childhood player.
Better than Ruth? But I could support #2.
Not more important to be sure, but, hey, there’s an argument there, isn’t there? Mays played in a more advanced - and integrated - time.
He was an all-star 24 times. Twenty Four.
He made The Catch in the 1954 World Series. 70 years ago.
That’s fair, legitimately in the conversation.
Are there any other of the greats of the 50s still alive?
Luis Aparicio is HOF but I never think of him inner circle great.
Koufax’s first season was 1955.
But he was a great of the 60s, not the 50s.
Here is a list of the oldest still living MLB players:
I never saw him play, but living in SF and attending a lot of Giants games, he was just a part of everyone’s baseball experience. I can’t count how many times I met people at the Willie Mays statue outside the stadium before or after the game (along with about 1000 other people…we really needed some more landmarks).
He was an amazing player, and just seemed like a genuinely great person.
With Mays’ passing, he’s the last living HOF’er who started in the 50’s. ETA: besides Aparicio. 
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-fame/living-hall-of-famers
Worth mentioning, Willie Mays has a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
There absolutely is. He was the most complete ballplayer the MLB has ever seen, and he did it in an integrated league.