Willie Mays, towering baseball legend and Giants star, dies aged 93

Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose unique combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93.

Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday evening that he “passed away peacefully” Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones.

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

During 22 seasons, almost all with the New York/San Francisco Giants, Mays batted .302, smacked 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, was named Most Valuable Player twice and finished in the top 10 for MVP 10 other times.

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