Willie Mays Day- Giants and Baseball Community Celebrate a Legend
SAY HEY! For those that celebrate, it is officially Willie Mays Day. When all of baseball is coming together to show respect and major love to one of the best to ever do it.
The official SF.gov site mentions how this particular date was selected for the MLB icon. The site states,
“Mayor London N. Breed today announced that the City and County of San Francisco is declaring Sunday February 4, 2024 as “Willie Mays Day” in honor of the date of 2/4/24 aligning with Mays’ jersey number, 24. San Francisco City Hall, Coit Tower, the Ferry Building, Salesforce Tower, Chase Center and the Conservatory of Flowers will all be lit in Giants Orange on Sunday as part of the commemoration.”
How wonderful. Furthermore, Major League Baseball also got the ball rolling by releasing an awesome statement about Mays. They state,
“Considered by many to be Baseball’s Greatest Living Player.
Willie Mays played for the Birmingham Black Barons at age 16 before winning NL Rookie of the Year with the New York Giants at age 20.
Mays made 24 All-Star Games, won 12 Gold Glove Awards, two NL MVP Awards, and in 1954 he led the Giants to their last World Series championship of the 20th century. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979.
His over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series is perhaps the most famous play in the history of the Fall Classic. The trophy given each year to the World Series MVP is a likeness of Mays making his famous catch.
Mays, who served in the US Army from 1952-53, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.”
2/4/24 Willie Mays Festivities- What Happened
National sports writer, John Shea, for the San Francisco Chronicle and author of the New York Times Bestseller and biography of Willie Mays “24;” was also in attendance for a few of the day’s events. Shea provides a nice overview. He mentions,
“Hoist a glass. High-five a buddy. Hug your kid.
Sunday is 2/4/24. Willie Mays Day, for all those who will observe.
Here’s what SF Giants, City of San Francisco and others are doing to honor the great Mays:
At 7:24 a.m., San Francisco Mayor London Breed officially proclaimed today — 2/4/24 — Willie Mays Day.
[Additionally] seven-time MVP, 14-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove Award winner; Barry Bonds makes appearance at City Hall for the 2/4/24 celebration of godfather Willie Mays. By the way, a year from tomorrow is 2/5/25.”
Great coverage as always John. And we get the hint. We’ll see if 2025, produces another special day; for another former Giant member.
Willie Mays Day- Giants and Baseball Community Celebrate a Legend
Nevertheless, there’s so much Willie Mays history; you really need more than a day. However, for this celebration of the great Willie Mays; The Baseball Hall of Fame Museum put together a nice little historical lesson. They briefly discuss his beginnings, his best game and All Star legacy. The museum says,
“Say Hey, it’s Willie Mays Day!
On 2/4/24, we join the baseball world in celebrating one of the giants of our game.
Willie Mays began his career with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League at age 16.
He hit seventh and played left field in his first professional appearance at Rickwood Field, which will host a major league game in his honor on June 20.
[Moreover] the greatest single-game performance of Willie Mays’ career almost never happened. On April 30, 1961, in Milwaukee; the Giants defeated the Braves 14-4.
Rallying from food poisoning, Mays borrowed a lighter bat from Joey Amalfitano and became the ninth player in MLB history to homer four times in one game.
[Furthermore] Ted Williams once said, ‘They invented the All-Star Game for Willie Mays.’
Mays earned a fitting 24 All-Star selections and still holds the all-time marks for most hits (23), runs scored (20), triples (3), stolen bases (6) and total bases (40) at the Midsummer Classic.”
Very impressive. Even baseball fans of other teams can agree that Mays is one of the best all around baseball players ever. And we are blessed that he is still here with us today; to witness us all giving him his flowers. Therefore, thank you for all of the wonderful memories, and enjoy your day Mr. Mays!
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