On June 24, 1954, Willie Mays practices hitting in New York. The outfielder passed away on Tuesday and was regarded as baseball’s best active player. Pictured by John Lent/AP Photo
Known for his explosive “Say Hey Kid” persona and his unique blend of talent, passion, and exuberance that made him one of baseball’s most adored and greatest players, Willie Mays passed away. He was ninety-three.
Tuesday night, Mays’ family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced that he had “passed away peacefully” in the company of his loved ones on Tuesday afternoon.
The oldest active Hall of Famer in baseball was the center fielder. He embodied the excitement of the game with his trademark basket catch and his cap-flying runs around the bases. Baseball’s most renowned defensive play dates back to his 1954 World Series over-the-shoulder catch of a deep drive.
Mays batted for the New York/San Francisco Giants for nearly all of his 22-season career.302 has 3,283 hits overall, 660 home runs, over 2,000 runs scored, and 12 Gold Gloves.
He was Rookie of the Year in 1951, twice was named the Most Valuable Player and finished in the top 10 for the MVP 10 other times.
The Oakland Athletics sent infielder Jordan Groshans to the New York Yankees in exchange for infielder J.D. Davis and monetary considerations, the team announced today.
The 31-year-old Davis appeared defensively at first base (24G/17GS) and third base (14G/11GS) in 39 games with Oakland this season, hitting.236 (29-for-123) with 12R, 4 doubles, 4HR, 5RBI, 9BB, and 3HP. On February 7, 2024, Davis signed a Major League deal with the San Francisco Giants; on March 11, he was released. On March 16, Oakland signed him to a Major League contract; on June 18, he was designated for assignment.
The Elk Grove, Calif., native was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays but did not sign. Davis was then selected by Houston in the third round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal State Fullerton. He was acquired by New York-NL along with INF Cody Bohanek from Houston in exchange for OF Ross Adolph, C Scott Manea and INF Luis Santana on January 6, 2019. Davis was acquired by San Francisco along with LHP Thomas Szapucki, RHP Carson Seymour and LHP Nick Zwack from New York-NL in exchange for INF Darin Ruf on August 2, 2022.
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