Current:Home > MarketsReaction to the death of Willie Mays, ‘a true Giant on and off the field’-InfoLens
Reaction to the death of Willie Mays, ‘a true Giant on and off the field’
View Date:2024-12-23 13:02:54
Reaction from the sports world and beyond to the death of baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays. He died Tuesday at age 93, Mays family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced. Mays’ electrifying combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players.
___
“I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion. 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 big hug for me. Rest in peace Willie. I love you forever. #SayHey” — Former hitter and Mays’ godson Barry Bonds.
___
“His incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable. We will never forget this true Giant on and off the field.” — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
___
“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.” — Former pitcher CC Sabathia.
___
“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. Cookie and I are praying for his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.” — NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
___
“The great Willie Mays has passed away. It was a privilege to know him. We were both honored by @MLB in 2010 with the Beacon Award, given to civil rights pioneers. He was a such a kind soul, who gifted my brother Randy a new glove and a television during his rookie year with the @SFGiants. My deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed.” — Tennis legend Billie Jean King.
___
“Willie ended his Hall of Fame career in Queens and was a key piece to the 1973 NL championship team. Mays played with a style and grace like no one else. Alex and I were thrilled to honor a previous promise from Joan Payson to retire his iconic #24 as a member of the Mets in 2022. On behalf of our entire organization, we send our thoughts and prayers to Willie’s family and friends.” — Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen.
___
“From his professional debut with the Birmingham Black Barons at age 17 through his 24 All-Star Games to his Hall of Fame induction in 1979, Willie’s skill on the field and impact off it elevated him to a stature that was larger than life.” — MLB Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark.
___
“The great Willie Mays has passed away. Had the honor of talking with him several times. He loved that we mentioned his ’54 World Series catch in City Slickers. The man who hit the ball and the “ Giant” who caught it signed this ball. RIP #24.. a thrill to watch you play.” — Actor Billy Crystal.
___
“Best player I’ve ever seen. Greatest player. I fortunately grew up in the Bay Area during Mays’ prime, and he was a five-tool player, an extraordinarily good five-tool player. You’d go to a game and he would do something. Whether it would be a great catch, a great throw, a stolen base, hit a home run or he’d do them all. He was just that kind fo player. ... What always came off was that he was the ‘Say Hey Kid.’ He had that ebullient personality. Infectious and genuine, and I got to tell him he was the greatest player I ever saw.” — Former player Keith Hernandez.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
veryGood! (2256)
Related
- Some women are stockpiling Plan B and abortion pills. Here's what experts have to say.
- How to watch People's Choice Country Awards, where Beyoncé, Zach Bryan lead 2024 nominees
- Roy Clay Sr., a Silicon Valley pioneer who knocked down racial barriers, dies at 95
- Dancing With The Stars’ Carrie Ann Inaba Slams Anna Delvey Over “Dismissive” Exit
- 2025 NFL Draft order: Updated first round picks after Week 10 games
- Why Riley Keough Says Mom Lisa Marie Presley Died “of a Broken Heart”
- US lawmakers’ concerns about mail ballots are fueled by other issues with mail service
- OpenAI looks to shift away from nonprofit roots and convert itself to for-profit company
- Waymo’s robotaxis now open to anyone who wants a driverless ride in Los Angeles
- Catherine Zeta-Jones Bares All in Nude Photo for Michael Douglas’ Birthday
Ranking
- Gun groups sue to overturn Maine’s new three-day waiting period to buy firearms
- Derrick Rose, a No. 1 overall pick in 2008 and the 2011 NBA MVP, announces retirement
- How many points did Caitlin Clark score today? Rookie season ends with WNBA playoffs loss
- 10 homes have collapsed into the Carolina surf. Their destruction was decades in the making
- Sofia Richie Reveals 5-Month-Old Daughter Eloise Has a Real Phone
- En busca de soluciones para los parques infantiles donde el calor quema
- Top aide for North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is resigning, adding to staff separations
- What to know about Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight: date, odds, how to watch
Recommendation
-
We Can Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street—and Even More Secrets About the Beloved Show
-
Republican Wisconsin congressman falsely suggests city clerk was lying about absentee ballots
-
Opinion: UNLV's QB mess over NIL first of many to come until athletes are made employees
-
Ports seek order to force dockworkers to bargaining table as strike looms at East and Gulf ports
-
Video ‘bares’ all: Insurers say bear that damaged luxury cars was actually a person in a costume
-
MLB blows up NL playoff race by postponing Mets vs. Braves series due to Hurricane Helene
-
Who is Eric Adams? The New York City mayor faces charges alleging he took bribes
-
Utah Supreme Court to decide viability of a ballot question deemed ‘counterfactual’ by lower court