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Baseball lost an iconic figure and one of its most transcendent stars with the passing of Willie Mays at the age of 92. A revered ambassador of the game, Mays' extraordinary talent and flair for the dramatic left an indelible mark on multiple generations of fans.
"Willie Mays was the greatest all-around player of his era and one of the greatest ever," said former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda. "He could do everything – hit, run, field, throw. He brought a level of excitement to the game that nobody could match."
A 24-time All-Star selection, Mays slugged 660 career home runs and collected 3,283 hits over his 22 big league seasons, primarily with the New York and San Francisco Giants. His resume boasts nearly every accolade – 2 MVPs, 12 Gold Gloves, Rookie of the Year, and enshrinement in Cooperstown in 1979.
Yet one play, famously coined "The Catch," embodied Mays' unparalleled brilliance and athleticism on the diamond. In Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against Cleveland, Mays raced towards the deepest part of the Polo Grounds and made an over-the-shoulder grab, whirling and firing the ball back in on the fly to the infield.
"I had a good start on it, I picked it up and I knew I could get it," Mays humbly recalled of the play decades later. "It was completely natural to throw it like that."
In 2017, to honor the 63rd anniversary of "The Catch" and Mays' immense impact, Major League Baseball renamed the World Series MVP award as the "Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award presented by Camry." The decision was made official in a pregame ceremony prior to Game 2 at Dodger Stadium.
"Of all the great players I had over the years, I'll remember two things about Willie Mays: his unbelievable talent, and his humility," said Mays' former Giants manager Alvin Dark at the ceremony. "He was truly one of a kind."
Commissioner Rob Manfred presented Mays with a bronzed replica of his spikes from the 1954 Series, remarking "Willie Mays' sustained excellence is a feat unmatched in the history of baseball. This award will be a reminder for everyone who plays the game to try to imitate his greatness."
For fans who witnessed the "Say Hey Kid" in his prime, the honor was seen as overdue recognition for a once-in-a-lifetime talent who brought unrivaled passion and showmanship to America's pastime. Though Mays has departed, his larger-than-life presence and quest for perfection will forever inspire those who take the field.
