When Willie Mays died on Tuesday at age 93, he was met with the kind of tribute rarely seen for a professional athlete. Mays was no ordinary athlete.
read moreWillie Mays dies at age 93, baseball's oldest Hall of Famer
According to the San Francisco Giants, where Mays spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career, he received honorary degrees from Dartmouth College, Miles College, Ohio State University, San Francisco State University and Yale University. Sports News Among the 100 greatest baseball players of the 20th century, Mays was ranked second only to Babe Ruth. ESPN ranked Mays 8th in its ranking of the top 50 athletes of the century.
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Against the backdrop of such widespread fame and acclaim, it may not be surprising that Mays' death prompted reactions Tuesday from a range of notable figures within and outside the sports world.
Former CCR lead singer and guitarist John Fogerty is a well-known baseball fan, making him the perfect demographic to understand the height of Mays' career: He was 12 years old and living in the Bay Area when Mays' New York Giants moved west to San Francisco.
Unsurprisingly, Fogerty was among the musicians who paid tribute to Mays' life on his Twitter/X account.
I'm sad to say that Willie Mays has passed away. When I was a kid and the Giants came to San Francisco, Willie was the greatest player of all time. I was lucky enough to see him play many times at Candlestick Park. He is the standard by which greatness is measured. pic.twitter.com/HjVCRhu4Gk
— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) June 19, 2024
Actor and director Billy Crystal, best known for directing the acclaimed baseball movie “61” and being a well-known New York Yankees fan, also spoke out on Twitter/X, showing off some autographed Mays memorabilia from his collection.
great @Willie Mays passed away. I had the opportunity to talk to him on a few occasions. He was very happy for us to talk about his 1954 World Series catch. FollowThe ball was signed by the guy who hit it and the “giant” who caught it. Rest in peace #24.. It was exciting watching you play. pic.twitter.com/FTNSc99Kh1
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) June 19, 2024
Rapper Chuck D is also a huge baseball fan and has deep knowledge of African-American history and Mays' role in integrating the game as one of the game's first black stars.
President Barack Obama's gratitude to Mays goes beyond the Medal of Freedom he awarded her in 2015. Not surprisingly, President Obama was one of the most prominent public figures to speak out about Mays' death.
Willie Mays was more than just an athlete with grace, skill and strength. He was also an incredible, warm and generous person who inspired an entire generation. I was blessed to spend many years with him. Michelle and I… pic.twitter.com/tpO3O9B9yc
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 19, 2024
Obama wasn't the only former president to pay tribute to Mays, with Bill Clinton also paying tribute to her on Twitter/X.
Former United States Attorney General Eric Holder also expressed his deep appreciation for Mays' life and career.
I am heartbroken by the news that Willie Mays has passed away. He was my first sports hero and my life's link to a better time, when humility, decency and true achievement were the ultimate positive traits.
Often times, you meet a hero and then… pic.twitter.com/3apDZnRgV2
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) June 19, 2024
Former New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia, who grew up in the Bay Area city of Vallejo, also expressed his gratitude to Mays in a social media post.
I'll never forget the day I walked into the store and heard, “That's the boy who wears his hat like this.”
Rest in peace Willie Mays. You changed this sport forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dreams. Thank you for all you did on and off the field. You will always be in our hearts… pic.twitter.com/Xv2ZHbKFvt
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) June 19, 2024
Former New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams, now a professional musician, also paid tribute to Mays.
There will never be another Willie Mays.
It is impossible to play center field without thinking of Mr. Mays. We should all celebrate and honor his achievements. He transcended baseball and his contributions to our country and are a true American legend and icon.
Credit: Greg Kreindler Follow Source pic.twitter.com/I8tdunpv4S— Bernie Williams (@bw51official) June 19, 2024
On Wednesday, major league teams will remember Mays with a moment of silence before each game.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, seeking common ground and finding connections.
