Tributes paid to baseball's 'true legend' Willie Mays

The baseball world has saluted the accomplishments of Willie Mays, who was regarded as one of the game's best players, following his death at the age of 93.

Mays was twice named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) and won the 1954 World Series with the New York Giants.

His famous catch during the championship remains one of the most iconic plays ever seen in America's so-called “national pastime.”

A former player told the BBC that apart from his achievements on the field, Mace adopted the attitude of “just keep playing and enjoy it”.

Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” this center fielder was baseball's oldest living Hall of Famer.

On Tuesday, his former team, now the San Francisco Giants, announced his passing “with great sadness.”

Mays' son Michael told The Associated Press that his father died surrounded by his family and that he wanted to thank his fans for their support over the years.

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

Major League Baseball (MLB) said it was “saddened” by the death of “one of the most exciting all-around players in the history of our game”.

“Mays was a true legend on and off the field,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said.

“His incredible accomplishments and statistics cannot capture the awe that came from watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way possible,” Manfred said.

But California Governor Gavin Newsom said Mays was “more than just a baseball icon.” “He broke barriers and inspired millions of Americans — setting records, delighting countless fans and becoming a role model for a generation of future athletes.”

Despite not having played a professional game in more than 50 years, Mays added 10 more hits to his career record after MLB decided to include Negro League statistics earlier this month.

He now has a record 3,293 hits, including 10 he hit for the Birmingham Black Barons in 1948.

As recently as Monday, Mays said he would not be able to attend Thursday’s game in Birmingham out of respect for himself.

“My heart goes out to all of you who are honoring Negro League players who should always be remembered, including all of my teammates on the Black Barons,” he said. “It will be a special day, and I hope the kids enjoy it and are inspired by it.”

Mays was born and raised in Westfield, Alabama, and began his professional baseball career in 1948 while still in high school.

In 1950 he joined the New York Giants — which later became the San Francisco Giants — and in 1951, at age 20, he hit 20 home runs for the team.

After the 1951 season Mays was drafted into the US Army to serve in the Korean War.

After missing the 1952 and 1953 seasons due to his military service, Mays returned in 1954 and earned his first MVP award.

That same year, he helped the team defeat Cleveland in the World Series.

His famous over-the-shoulder catch during the game helped the team win with a score of 5–2 after 10 innings.

In 1972, at age 41, he was transferred to the New York Mets, where he played for two more seasons before retiring.

Even after his playing career, he was a regular in the Giants dugout, offering advice to younger players on and off the field.

Retired Giants player JT Snow told the BBC, “He always had time for you. He had that thing about him that you could talk to him about baseball and he'd give you his honest opinion.”

“Baseball is a tough sport, and we go through ups and downs. I remember him saying: 'Just keep playing and having fun.'”

Snow said Mays kept the noise of analysis and statistics out of his mind, and stuck to a simple philosophy that helped him change the game: “I see the ball and hit the ball, and I run to the bases and catch it.”