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A baseball player for the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets who enjoyed a career that grew into the stuff of legends has died at the age of 93. (And here’s betting some fans had no idea he was also a television actor!)
Credit: Disney/ABC
The Death of a Legend
Willie Mays, one of baseball’s most iconic figures, began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the San Francisco Giants in the 1950s, quickly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Credit: Flickr/Rob Corder
Mays died on Tuesday, according to an announcement on X, shared by the San Francisco Giants.
“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 San Francisco Giants posted.
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. pic.twitter.com/Qk4NySCFZQ
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 19, 2024
The Legendary Player and Hall of Famer
Known for his exceptional all-around skills, Mays was a 24-time All-Star and won two National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards. His combination of speed, power, and defensive prowess made him a rare five-tool player, equally capable of hitting for average and power, stealing bases, and providing stellar defense in center field.
His signature moment came on September 29, 1954, when he made “The Catch,” a spectacular over-the-shoulder grab during Game 1 of the World Series, which remains one of the most famous plays in baseball history.
Credit: Flickr/Danny Bollinger
A Career Chock Full of Wins and League Records
Throughout his career, Mays amassed 660 home runs, ranking fifth on the all-time list, and collected 3,283 hits, showcasing his consistent offensive production.
Beyond his impressive statistics, Mays’ impact on the game is underscored by his resilience and adaptability. He played for both the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants before retiring from professional baseball in 1973.
Related: Legendary Chicago Bears Linebacker Dick Butkis Dead at 80
Credit: Flickr/Roger Jones
Inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1979, Mays’ legacy is one of excellence and inspiration, celebrated for his contributions to the sport and his role in breaking racial barriers during a transformative era in baseball history.
Mays Was on the Minds of Baseball Fans This Week Already
Many baseball fans had Willie Mays on their minds this week, as this Thursday’s game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, between the Giants and the Cardinals was to also serve as a celebration of the great career of the Baseball Hall of Famer, which began with the Birmingham Black Barons.
“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,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in a statement. “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.”
Credit: Disney/ESPN
A Career That Led Him Outside the Baseball Field
Per Willie Mays: The Life, the Legend, an authorized biography about Mays, written by author James S. Hirsch in 2010, any time Mays was on the field, he considered himself an entertainer.
“When I played ball, I tried to make sure that everybody enjoyed what I was doing,” he said in the book. “I made the clubhouse guy fit me a cap so that when I ran, the wind gets up in the bottom, and it flies right off. People love that type of stuff.”
Perhaps Mays had acting in his blood as well as baseball. In 1954, the baseball legend appeared on The Colgate Comedy Hour with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Ten years later, in 1964, Mays appeared in two episodes of The Donna Reed Show. His acting prowess further led to appearances in comedies like Bewitched, starring actress Elizabeth Montgomery.
You can watch a clip from the episode of Bewitched here:
But Mays didn’t stop there. Later, in the 1980s, the legendary baseball player made additional appearances on television with cameos and short performances in the sitcoms My Two Dads and Mr. Belvedere.
Baseball legends in a 1989 episode of “Mr. Belvedere.” Mays is seated on the lower row, far right/Credit: Disney/21st Century Studios
The same year that Mays appeared on Mr. Belvedere, he also visited the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. During his visit, Mays proceeded to share some of his batting tips with Mickey Mouse himself.
Credit: Screenshot/Facebook
Our thoughts and prayers are with Willie Mays’ loved ones, friends, and fans during this difficult time of loss.
