Baseball legend Willie Mays, widely considered one of the best players in the sport’s history, has died, according to 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 team posted on X on Tuesday.
A statement from Major League Baseball (MLB) said it is “heartbroken” over the death of “one of the most exciting all-around players in the history of our sport”.
Mays was twice declared the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and won the World Series with the Giants in 1954.
Despite having not played professional sports for over 50 years, the MLB added 10 more hits to his career record earlier this month, after deciding to incorporate statistics from the Negro League.
His record now stands at 3,293 hits, including the 10 he hit for the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948.
On Monday, Mays said he would not be able to attend a game in his honour scheduled for Thursday.
“I’m not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area,” Mays said in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.
“My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons.
“It’ll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it,” he added.
Stay with us for more on this breaking story.
