Say Hey

The Say Hey Kid has died. 

Willie Mays passed away earlier today at the age of 93, first reported by the San Francisco Giants on Twitter/X. 

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

A player who I always enjoyed reading about and watching videos of, in large part because he is my dad's favorite player. 

Mays is arguably, one of, if not the greatest player in MLB history. 

Some are going to say Babe Ruth, others may say Hank Aaron. And others. It's a good debate. 

In my mind, it's Mays. 

Prior to his death today, I don't think there was any question that he was the greatest living player. 

Then you've got the discussion of the outfielders. From DiMaggio to Mantle to Mays to Snyder to Aaron and again, others. So many greats. Such a terrific era of baseball and too many we have now lost. Time marches on. 

As for Willie....

660 home runs.

.301 average. 

Two-time NL MVP. 

Two-time All-Star.

12 gold gloves. 

1954 World Series Champion.

And so much more.... including "The Catch."

Greatness. 

From New York to San Francisco and back to the Big Apple. 

Mays spent the majority of his major league career with the Giants. 

From 1951-1952* and 1954 through the beginning of 1972. 

He spent the rest of 1972 and 1973 back in New York with the Mets before retiring. 

*Mays also spent part of 1952 and all of 1953 in the military. 

Hope Willie is talkin' baseball in heaven with Mickey and The Duke (and Scully). 

Say Hey, Willie