San Francisco Giants Legend Willie Mays Dies at 93

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Willie Mays, beloved by San Francisco Giants fans who watched him play and a newer generation who revere his magnificence, has died. He was 93.

Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced he had passed away Tuesday afternoon.

“My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” said Michael Mays. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.”

The center fielder was baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer. His signature basket catch and his dashes around the bases with his cap flying off personified the joy of the game. His over-the shoulder catch of a long drive in the 1954 World Series is baseball’s most celebrated defensive feat.

“I fell in love with baseball because of Willie, plain and simple,” said Giants President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Baer. “My childhood was defined by going to Candlestick with my dad, watching Willie patrol centerfield with grace and the ultimate athleticism. Over the past 30 years, working with Willie, and seeing firsthand his zest for life and unbridled passion for giving to young players and kids, has been one of the joys of my life.”

Over 22 seasons, virtually all with the New York/San Francisco Giants, Mays batted .302, hit 660 home runs, totaled 3,283 hits, scored more than 2,000 runs and won 12 Gold Gloves.

He was Rookie of the Year in 1951, twice was named the Most Valuable Player and finished in the top 10 for the MVP 10 other times.

Decades after his retirement, he still holds the all-time record for putouts by an outfielder, with a career total of 7,095. He won 12 Gold Gloves in center field and appeared in 24 All-Star games. He led the league in home runs four times, stolen bases four times, slugging percentage five times, total bases three times and triples three times. He was third on the all-time home run list with 660 until 2003 when Barry Bonds, passed him.

“Today we have lost a true legend,” said Giants Chairman Greg Johnson. “In the pantheon of baseball greats, Willie Mays’ combination of tremendous talent, keen intellect, showmanship, and boundless joy set him apart. A 24-time All-Star, the Say Hey Kid is the ultimate Forever Giant. He had a profound influence not only on the game of baseball, but on the fabric of America. He was an inspiration and a hero who will be forever remembered and deeply missed.”

Mays was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979, the first year of his eligibility (the ninth player to make it on his first try). Mays’ uniform number, 24, has been retired by the Giants, as he remains the franchise leader in games played (2,857), at-bats (10,477), runs (2,011), hits (3,187), doubles (504), home runs (646), total bases (5,907) and extra base hits (1,289).

Mays was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama in 2015.

Among other honors, The Sporting News ranked him second only to Babe Ruth among the 100 greatest baseball players of the 20th century and ESPN listed him as eighth in their ranking of the top 50 athletes of the century.

After retiring from Major League Baseball, Mays never turned his back on the city of San Francisco. He was the spokesperson for The Institute on Aging in San Francisco as well as the President and CEO of the Say Hey Foundation, supporting underprivileged youth. He was also a member of the Concordia Club.

Fans who attend games at Oracle Park, which replaced Candlestick where Mays played, pass a statue of Mays. If you look up the address of Oracle Park, it is 24 Willie Mays Plaza — 24 for his retired jersey number.

A public celebration of Mays' life will be announced at a later date.

Tributes for Mays are flooding social media — from the famous and from fans who love the game.

If you wish to offer your condolences to the Mays family, mail cards or letters to: San Francisco Giants, attention Forever 24, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107.

The Associated Press contributed to this article