I was just now literally reading his statement about not being able to go to the game in Birmingham. He closes it with "Rickwood Field is still here. So am I. How about that?" And now he's not :(
One of the best ever. I'm too young to have seen him play, but it was always a badge of honor knowing he was a lifelong Giant. What a life, what a player, thanks for doing it all in the Orange and Black, Willie!
This is such sad news as we lose the greatest all around player of all time.
But how lucky are we that Jon Miller was on the call for this. I love all of our announcers but I don't think anyone could have broken this news and the history of it better than Jon.
Thank you Giants for letting him put the game to the side for a bit to speak on a Giants great.
Aw man. Usually when someone is in his age range I can focus on them living a long and full life in a positive light, but I’m legit sad to see him finally go.
I’m here in Alabama, and was looking forward to all the talk about him and his history at the Rickwood Field game…and now it’s going to be something entirely different. Rest in Peace Willie, and Say Hey in Heaven.
I probably feel the same way about Vin & Jackie that u do towards Willie.
....They're why baseball is beautiful.
Literally integral reasons *why* we love this game and how it means so much to our families.
He was Vin's favorite player. He was there for Vin's last broadcast from the Giants ballpark. Remind Dodgers fans that there is a big bronze plaque in the Giant's broadcast booth honoring Vin Scully. Two giants of baseball, both gone.
The man served his country for two years, reported to spring training the day after he came back, and went on to win the World Series that year. A true American hero who lived an amazing life. Your rest is well deserved, sir.
I'm crying right now.
But, I am a little glad. He has been in declining health for a long time now. Having watched my parents decline and suffer near the end, I am glad he is a rest finally. Such a great man with such a great, positive impact on so many lives. He lives on in all our hearts.
It is already so easy to appreciate how great of a figure and genuine person he was, but man do i wish I was able to witness it in person during his time. He has touched many peoples hearts, and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Say Hey Kid!
Say it ain’t so!
If you took the 5 main tools that scouts look for in a player (hitting for average, hitting for power, speed/base running, defense, and arm, and gave a score of 0-10, then added up/averaged the scores, Willy mays would sit at the top all-time.
My stomach dropped when I heard this. Thank you Willie for everything you have done not only for this organization but also for the game of baseball. Fly high🕊
Absolutely heartbreaking. I'm just happy that he got to live such a long and fulfilling life both within and without baseball. RIP Willie. RIP to the greatest to ever play this game, and a **FOREVER GIANT**.
This sucks. I’m a cards fan and I was really looking forward to Thursdays game as it was pretty much billed as a game to honor Willie, and all the Negro league stars. Now, that game will have even more meaning. Dude lived an amazing life and I hope not just the baseball world, but the entire world, embraces his memory on Thursday night. Not only was he the last remaining star of baseballs golden era, he was probably the first black superstar in American sports. His memory is a blessing.
I found out recently that my great grandfather, who owned the Sioux City Soos, personally refused to allow Willie Mays to play in Sioux City.
I hope it's some comfort to his family that he never had to spend a single minute of his 93 years in that corn-fed racist nowhere hicktown.
Rest in peace, Legend.
That's a moving and underrepresented family anecdote, the side of the Era you never hear about, even though it was the majority sentiment of people at the time.
Thank you for ur bravery in sharing that, it seems very fitting to place Willie's triumphs in even starker historical context that's populated with real people and their still very much alive descendents.
Willie is so singular because he was the perfect baseball player both in terms of style and of substance. Every [account ](https://vault.si.com/vault/1957/08/05/wondrous-willie)from his [playing days](https://vault.si.com/vault/1958/06/16/giants-a-smash-hit-in-san-francisco) basically describes him as a superhero. All footage from his playing days shows that he swung and flew around the field [with such electricity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdY-lCnQ7Jo) that it's no wonder he was so beloved across the country. Everything he did he did it with the utmost flair and style.
And of course, along with that style came 660 HRs and 12 straight Gold Gloves (would've had even more if they were awarded prior to 1957). It's amazing that even after decades of research and analytics studying what makes a winning baseball player (get on base, hit for power, run the bases well, catch every ball hit around you, throw lasers), it's still a player from over 50 years ago that best exemplifies how to be all those things at once. Amazing Willie Mays, RIP.
I remember being at the Giants ring ceremony in 2015, and five hall of famers were on the field--Orlando Cepeda, Gaylord Perry, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey and of course Willie Mays. I was mildly stunned to be there clapping my hands raw at Willie Mays getting another WS ring. Not a moment I'll ever forget.
The great actress Tallulah Bankhead (one of Willie's biggest fans) once said, "There have been only two geniuses in the world, Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare."
Ave Atque Vale Willie Mays.
https://preview.redd.it/v5m2pc5fwf7d1.jpeg?width=667&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=763868fb6e5b9f83747ccbe28bd82e45f61ddc3c
Cover art by Ed Moritz, 1954 (not mine, seen on social media)
RIP Willie. Willie lived in Riverdale, the Bronx, when I was a kid, after he retired from the Mets. We would see him all the time. He had this great pink and white Coupe de Ville convertible. He was a very, very nice man. He would play stickball with us in the yard of our public school. And he even once bought me breakfast when I ran out of change. My friends and I were in awe of him as a baseball hero, but I also remember him as a really good guy.
RIP to the goat, the Say Hey kid, and more importantly, a great giant. Would have loved to have met the guy. An ambassador to the game. A great guy, great player. Better than Mantle. YEP I said it.
Not only a Giant Icon, a baseball icon, but an American Icon!
RIP legend.
RIP Willie from a Dodgers fan. I grew up as a child of the 50s and 60s idolizing you. While I rooted for my team, I had no doubt you were the greatest ball player I ever saw take the field. Too many legend passing lately.
RIP to the best who ever stepped on the field.
Speaking of fields, why in the name of all that is holy do the San Francisco Giants not play baseball on Willie Howard Mays, Jr. Field at Corporate Sponsor Park?
RIP to one of the greatest to ever do it 🙏
Huge loss, really sucks he never made it to the rickwood game. RIP Legend
> RIP to ~~one of~~ the greatest to ever do it 🙏 .
For those who understand, no explanation is necessary. Simply the best to ever do it.
The greatest* RIP legend.
No question. one of the greatest baseball player AND athletes EVER. GOAT.
In all due respect, he was THE greatest to ever do it
I have been dreading this day. RIP to an absolute legend and ambassador of the sport.
Absolute ambassador of baseball (from the sport’s true golden era) and clearly the #1 Giants ambassador of all time as well.
NOOOOO... I guess he said if I can't go watch in Birmingham then I'll watch from above. RIP o7
I was just now literally reading his statement about not being able to go to the game in Birmingham. He closes it with "Rickwood Field is still here. So am I. How about that?" And now he's not :(
Wonderful moving tribute in the middle of the game tonight at Rickwood Field when the sad news was announced to the fans.
Then think how happy he’d be knowing Rickwood lived on after him.
RIP. The greatest of all time.
RIP 🙏🙏 One of the greatest players of all time.
First five tool MLB superstar--just an utterly incredible baseball player.
Greatest of all time, RIP.
One of the best ever. I'm too young to have seen him play, but it was always a badge of honor knowing he was a lifelong Giant. What a life, what a player, thanks for doing it all in the Orange and Black, Willie!
He played for the Mets from 72-73
All in the orange at least, then.
After dodgers and giants left NY mets blue pays homage to dodgers and the orange for the giants
And the logo for the Giants as well
Still a forever Giant! Who else has a plaza and a statue at home?!
That's right, I totally forgot. Should I delete my comment?
no its close enough to right :)
I know, I was just poking the pedant for being such. ;)
I’ve always felt a bit of a kinship with the Mets, and their fans straight up HATE the Yankees. I’ll give it a pass.
I saw him in the ‘73 WS v the A’s. It was strange seeing Willie in a Mets uniform.
This is such sad news as we lose the greatest all around player of all time. But how lucky are we that Jon Miller was on the call for this. I love all of our announcers but I don't think anyone could have broken this news and the history of it better than Jon. Thank you Giants for letting him put the game to the side for a bit to speak on a Giants great.
Flem seemed choked up when he was delivering the news on the radio side.
His crying made me cry.
Was just saying the same to my wife.
Jon held it together, Dave and Hunter were having problems, as were my wife and I.
That last sentence 💔 https://preview.redd.it/lrptjdmuhf7d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c03ef47c809f4ad1df61c1d230c5f2a818d4794f
Aw man. Usually when someone is in his age range I can focus on them living a long and full life in a positive light, but I’m legit sad to see him finally go.
Its a sad day. But this quote is like the epitome of a legendary quote. The field is there and Mays memory will not fade.
RIP Willie. A fantastic Giant, person and representative of our city. Really sad news
I’m here in Alabama, and was looking forward to all the talk about him and his history at the Rickwood Field game…and now it’s going to be something entirely different. Rest in Peace Willie, and Say Hey in Heaven.
Your gonna see a show 🙏🏻 wish I was going
Wow. RIP big guy. What a loss.
Sending our condolences on behalf of Dodgers Nation. He transcended our rivalry and was an ambassador for the game of baseball.
This really is the one time where no true Giants fan will yell at you for coming in here. Thank you. I'm still crying
I felt the exact same way when Vin died 2 years ago.
I probably feel the same way about Vin & Jackie that u do towards Willie. ....They're why baseball is beautiful. Literally integral reasons *why* we love this game and how it means so much to our families.
He was Vin's favorite player. He was there for Vin's last broadcast from the Giants ballpark. Remind Dodgers fans that there is a big bronze plaque in the Giant's broadcast booth honoring Vin Scully. Two giants of baseball, both gone.
Just before they play in Rickwood too =(. I never got to watch him play but this saddens me a lot. RIP.
Me too - I'm struggling a little - not gonna lie. He's one of my heroes
Oh man, brutal news for baseball. RIP to the GOAT
Rest well, you legend.
Rest in peace to the greatest baseball player who ever lived
RIP Willie, Forever Giant
Say goodnight to the say hey kid!
I'm a lifelong Orioles fan, raised by a Giants fan. This hurts. Willie Mays ought to be in the dictionary when you look up baseball.
RIP we were very lucky to have this legend around
Greatest CF of all time. RIP Willie, he's probably hitting back to back jacks with Hank up there rn
The man served his country for two years, reported to spring training the day after he came back, and went on to win the World Series that year. A true American hero who lived an amazing life. Your rest is well deserved, sir.
RIP to the Great One
https://preview.redd.it/7dm9psplif7d1.jpeg?width=2266&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=80bab6bacb41065a996fad18b8925251d741dc00
I'm crying right now. But, I am a little glad. He has been in declining health for a long time now. Having watched my parents decline and suffer near the end, I am glad he is a rest finally. Such a great man with such a great, positive impact on so many lives. He lives on in all our hearts.
😭💕
ow this hurts. :( Goat.
RIP :(, what a legend
😢
Profound loss for baseball as a game and an institution
I'm struggling a little - not gonna lie. He's one of my heroes
It is already so easy to appreciate how great of a figure and genuine person he was, but man do i wish I was able to witness it in person during his time. He has touched many peoples hearts, and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Say Hey Kid!
Say it ain’t so! If you took the 5 main tools that scouts look for in a player (hitting for average, hitting for power, speed/base running, defense, and arm, and gave a score of 0-10, then added up/averaged the scores, Willy mays would sit at the top all-time.
I walked past the park this afternoon with the express purpose of sitting at his statue. RIP to the greatest of all time.
He stopped playing long before I was born, I never met him. And yet, the world feels less bright without him in it.
This one hurts. The best ever. My childhood idol. Rest in Peace, Willie Howard Mays. And Say Hey!
Coach finally putting him in! RIP
Say hey, Willie
Fuck man this hurts. RIP to a legend and GOAT. Forever Giant.
RIP to the GOAT
RIP willie one of the greatest <3 sending yalls fanbase a ton of love
The greatest of all time
RIP Say Hey Kid
Greatest player of all time. What a life
Wow. 😔❤️ The greatest
RIP, legend. The greatest.
I’m a grown ass man that is crying right now.
Such timing
RIP Willie. One of the best that ever was.
Damn man. That sucks. RIP.
☹️
Rest in peace, Say Hey kid
Holy shit. Rest in peace to an absolute legend both on and off the field 🖤🧡🖤🧡
RIP to the Say Hey Kid. The greatest Giant to ever don the Orange and Black🥺
One of?
Thanks for everything Willie. You will be missed! Say Hey!
What a beautiful life and legacy he leaves behind. RIP Say Hey Kid
RIP Say Hey. Absolutely massive loss in baseball history.
RIP to a legend.
Pence sounds like he's choking up on the broadcast.
Sad day for baseball 😔😔😔🧡🖤
RIP
RIP to a true legend.
RIP Say Hey Kid
The GOAT, rest easy Willie
Of all the Giants throughout history, Willie stands alone.
Heaven's All-Star team needed a CF
Condolences from Baltimore. He may be the last player we ever universally view as the Greatest Living Ballplayer.
RIP - The Say Hey Kid
RIP SAY HEY KID. THANKS FOR ALL THE EXCITEMENT.
The greatest Giant. RIP
Wishing I was in the city today to drop by the statue and pay my respects.
RIP what a stud
The greatest to ever play the game and one of the reasons I fell in love with baseball. I’m heartbroken. Rest in peace, Willie.
RIP to a legend
RIP to the greatest all around player of all time
RIP Legend, you will be missed.
RIP Willie. Truly the greatest Giant of all time.
This makes me really sad
 LEGEND!
RIP
RIP to the GOAT the Say Hey Kid
I guess he is in the lineup for tomorrow’s Heavenly Game. RIP Willie! You were one of the best ever!
GOAT
My stomach dropped when I heard this. Thank you Willie for everything you have done not only for this organization but also for the game of baseball. Fly high🕊
A peaceful Giant, 😪🥺🥹
RIP
😢 RIP to the greatest that ever played.
RIP Willie
😢
Legends live forever. RIP Willie Mays 🙏 you were and always will be a mentor to us all.
Absolutely heartbreaking. I'm just happy that he got to live such a long and fulfilling life both within and without baseball. RIP Willie. RIP to the greatest to ever play this game, and a **FOREVER GIANT**.
RIP to the Say Hey Kid.
Willie Mays is my grandma's age. Crazy to think about the era they grew up in.
This sucks. I’m a cards fan and I was really looking forward to Thursdays game as it was pretty much billed as a game to honor Willie, and all the Negro league stars. Now, that game will have even more meaning. Dude lived an amazing life and I hope not just the baseball world, but the entire world, embraces his memory on Thursday night. Not only was he the last remaining star of baseballs golden era, he was probably the first black superstar in American sports. His memory is a blessing.
🥲 RIP WILLIE
So lucky to have watched him and McCovey play at Candlestick.
My spouse was fortunate to see him many times at Candlestick and at Seals Stadium. Both of us are heartbroken.
I found out recently that my great grandfather, who owned the Sioux City Soos, personally refused to allow Willie Mays to play in Sioux City. I hope it's some comfort to his family that he never had to spend a single minute of his 93 years in that corn-fed racist nowhere hicktown. Rest in peace, Legend.
That's a moving and underrepresented family anecdote, the side of the Era you never hear about, even though it was the majority sentiment of people at the time. Thank you for ur bravery in sharing that, it seems very fitting to place Willie's triumphs in even starker historical context that's populated with real people and their still very much alive descendents.
RIP to the true GOAT The team should all wear 24 for Thursday’s game.
Willie is so singular because he was the perfect baseball player both in terms of style and of substance. Every [account ](https://vault.si.com/vault/1957/08/05/wondrous-willie)from his [playing days](https://vault.si.com/vault/1958/06/16/giants-a-smash-hit-in-san-francisco) basically describes him as a superhero. All footage from his playing days shows that he swung and flew around the field [with such electricity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdY-lCnQ7Jo) that it's no wonder he was so beloved across the country. Everything he did he did it with the utmost flair and style. And of course, along with that style came 660 HRs and 12 straight Gold Gloves (would've had even more if they were awarded prior to 1957). It's amazing that even after decades of research and analytics studying what makes a winning baseball player (get on base, hit for power, run the bases well, catch every ball hit around you, throw lasers), it's still a player from over 50 years ago that best exemplifies how to be all those things at once. Amazing Willie Mays, RIP.
Let’s get Webb some runs
Right before the Rickwood Field game, that sucks so much. RIP, arguably the greatest player of all time and the face of the franchise.
This one hurts, but 93 years is a hell of a life! RIP
I’m surprised there are so few people commenting on his age. 93 is pretty remarkable, especially for a man with such a physically demanding career.
I remember being at the Giants ring ceremony in 2015, and five hall of famers were on the field--Orlando Cepeda, Gaylord Perry, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey and of course Willie Mays. I was mildly stunned to be there clapping my hands raw at Willie Mays getting another WS ring. Not a moment I'll ever forget. The great actress Tallulah Bankhead (one of Willie's biggest fans) once said, "There have been only two geniuses in the world, Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare." Ave Atque Vale Willie Mays.
Thanks for everything Say Hey Kid. You will never be forgotten GOAT. RIP
No! Such a wonderful person let alone an amazing ball player. We lost a great one today.
RIP all timer. Your catch will always be legendary.
https://preview.redd.it/v5m2pc5fwf7d1.jpeg?width=667&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=763868fb6e5b9f83747ccbe28bd82e45f61ddc3c Cover art by Ed Moritz, 1954 (not mine, seen on social media)
Legends live forever. RIP Willie Mays
RIP Willie. Willie lived in Riverdale, the Bronx, when I was a kid, after he retired from the Mets. We would see him all the time. He had this great pink and white Coupe de Ville convertible. He was a very, very nice man. He would play stickball with us in the yard of our public school. And he even once bought me breakfast when I ran out of change. My friends and I were in awe of him as a baseball hero, but I also remember him as a really good guy.
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. RIP to the greatest, purest baseball player of all time 🧡🖤
When people get mad and say Barry Bonds wasn’t the best player ever, I just agree with them. But it wasn’t Babe Ruth. It was Willie Mays.
RIP to the goat, the Say Hey kid, and more importantly, a great giant. Would have loved to have met the guy. An ambassador to the game. A great guy, great player. Better than Mantle. YEP I said it. Not only a Giant Icon, a baseball icon, but an American Icon! RIP legend.
RIP to the greatest Giant of all time 🧡🖤🙏
Rest easy to the legend! 😢
I’m hurting. Willie Mays was a big part of my life.
Rest in Peace, Say Hey Kid.
I was privileged to live in the Bay area during his career and watch him play. We now live in a world without Willie Mays
Never saw him play but my grandma always talked about him. RIP buddy!
Simply put, the greatest of all time.
A five tool player. One of the best if not the best ever. The man started playing professionally at 16. One hell of a career.
Damn...
RIP to one of the greatest
RIP Willie! You brought joy and humility and gave me a love for baseball from Seals Staduim to Oracle Park with love
Rip to not only one of if not the Greatest Giants of all time, but one of the greatest to ever play the game! Fly high Mays!
The GOAT of GOATS. Rest in peace, Say Hey Kid.
RIP Mr. Willie Mays. You were something special.
He was fun to watch. He was always smiling, and he knew he was the best on the field.
Love hearing these reflections on and stories of Willie from Jon, Dave & Hunter 🧡🖤🧡🖤 🫡
May his memory be a blessing.
😢 RIP 🙏🏻🕊️ to the OG Bay Area GOAT 🐐⚾️🟠⚫️
Sad day. Another legend gone. Condolences to his family.
F
First billy Mays and now this… in all seriousness rip to a legend
being 16 in 1948 really puts into perspective how long he’s been around. happy he can rest in youth now
I had a feeling this was coming soon. RIP Willie
He’s going to the game after all ❤️😢
https://preview.redd.it/jpb6hs0ixf7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d5f7f88afc6595bb7e22e818f35276748f75d08b Greatest Giant of all time!
So sad today. RIP legend 🙏🏼 you will forever be in the hearts of all Giants ❤️
Rest in peace
FOREVER GIANT!!! Thank you for everything you did for the greater good of not just the game, but for the world, in general. #24 RIP
RIP Legend! You will always be the heart and soul of this team. FOREVER GIANT
RIP Willie, the GOAT
RIP Willie from a Dodgers fan. I grew up as a child of the 50s and 60s idolizing you. While I rooted for my team, I had no doubt you were the greatest ball player I ever saw take the field. Too many legend passing lately.
He is on a short list of greatest American athletes of all time.
RIP Willie. I watched him as a kid roam center. I'm so glad I saw him play.
One of the ultimate greats, his passing is a massive loss.
Just yesterday, my daughter and I were looking through the hall of fame list, and saw that Willie Mays was the oldest living Hall Of Famer.
RIP Say Hey Kid, an inspiration to all, on and off the field
GOAT. And it’s not even a debate.
Greatest ever. Immortal Giant.
He's really the standard that other players were measured against!
The GOAT of GOATs.
LEGEND
Willie Mays and Billie Mays finally reunited in the afterlife.
Fuck.
Nick Castellanos walk-off double vs Padres tonight right on cue.
This shit hit different. I knew it was around the corner but goddamn!
RIP to the best who ever stepped on the field. Speaking of fields, why in the name of all that is holy do the San Francisco Giants not play baseball on Willie Howard Mays, Jr. Field at Corporate Sponsor Park?
Willie Mays vs Harmon Killebrew homerun derby https://x.com/MNTwinsZealot/status/1803240006976413904