‘Beyond devastated’: Baseball legend Willie Mays dead at 93

One of the legends of American sports has died, sparking an enormous outpouring of emotion from the nation’s biggest stars.

The sports world paid tribute to one of its icons on Tuesday.

Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid,” died at the age of 93 on Tuesday, and tributes from the sports world were quick to pour in for the baseball legend.

Watch an average of 7 regular season MLB games each week plus All-Star, Postseason and the World Series LIVE on ESPN via Kayo. Sign up today!

“I’ll never forget this day when I walked in and heard, ‘that’s that boy who wears his hat like this,’” former Yankees hurler C.C. Sabathia wrote on X.

“RIP Willie Mays. You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream. Thank you for everything that you did on and off the field. Always in our hearts.”

Ex-Giants slugger Barry Bonds — Mays’ godson — wrote on Instagram: “I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion.

“I have no words to describe what you mean to me- you helped shape me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug for me. Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever.”

Ex-MLB slugger Frank Thomas shared on X: “RIP to Willie Mays! There’s great players and then there’s True Legends. God Bless.”

Former US President Barack Obama presented Willie Mays with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP

Mays, born in Westfield, Alabama in 1931, was a 24-time All-Star, 12-time Gold Glove winner, four-time National League home run leader and twice took home NL MVP honours.

He led the Giants to a World Series championship in 1954 and was the first player to record 30 steals and 30 home runs in a season, as well as the first to reach 300 of each in his career.

When he retired after the 1973 season, he ranked second in the National League in games played with 2,992, third in home runs (660), RBIs (1,903), total bases (6,066), extra-base hits (1,232) and walks (1,464).

“Willie Mays #24 was a legend amongst legends,” former Phillies star Jimmy Rollins wrote on X. “I am blessed to have spent a few weeks around Willie and I can tell you this, baseball lived deep inside of his heart and he could trash talk with the best of them! Thank you Willie.”

“One of the best to ever play the game,” former A’s star Jose Canseco wrote. “Rest in Peace Willie Mays.”

Around the baseball world, so many games and broadcasts took time to honour Mays’ life.

“A Hero to so many and my father’s favourite player,” former big leaguer Jerry Hairston Jr. posted. “An Icon in the Sports world. #RIP Willie Mays.”

The remembrances weren’t just confined to his baseball compatriots.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King posted: “He was a 24-time All-Star, a 12-time Gold Glover, a 2-time MVP, World Series champion, and a Hall of Famer.

“The great Willie Mays has passed away. It was a privilege to know him. We were both honoured by @MLB in 2010 with the Beacon Award, given to civil rights pioneers.

“He was a such a kind soul, who gifted my brother Randy a new glove and a television during his rookie year with the @SFGiants.

“My deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed.”

Willie Mays will be remembered. Photo by JAMIE SQUIRE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

“I’m devastated to hear about the passing of the legendary Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the main reasons I fell in love with baseball,” Magic Johnson shared. “Cookie and I are praying for his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.”

In fact, it wasn’t even limited to athletes.

“Had the honour of talking with him several times,” actor and comedian Billy Crystal shared on social media.

“He loved that we mentioned his ‘54 World Series catch in @CitySlickers. RIP 24 … a thrill to watch you play.”

This story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.