(May 6, 1931 – June 18, 2024)
Willie Howard Mays Jr., affectionately known as “The Say Hey Kid,” was an American baseball icon and one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history. A five-tool player with electrifying talent and enduring charm, Mays dazzled fans across 23 seasons with the New York and San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets.

Born in Westfield, Alabama, Mays began his professional career in the Negro leagues with the Birmingham Black Barons at age 17. He joined the New York Giants in 1951, winning Rookie of the Year and quickly becoming one of the most dynamic players the game had ever seen. His famous over-the-shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series remains one of baseball’s most iconic moments.

Over his legendary career, Mays earned 24 All-Star selections, won two MVP awards (1954, 1965), led the league in home runs four times, and stole over 300 bases. He finished with 660 career home runs, 3,293 hits, a .302 lifetime batting average, and 12 Gold Glove Awards, redefining excellence in both offense and defense.

Beyond the stats, Mays represented grace, sportsmanship, and barrier-breaking excellence. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, later helped mentor generations of players, and became a beloved ambassador for the game.

Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, Mays was also honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. His legacy lives on as a symbol of greatness both on and off the field.