Chicago Cubs statement on the passing of baseball great Willie Mays

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs issued the following statement on the passing of baseball great Willie Mays who died this afternoon at the age of 93.

“The Chicago Cubs join the Mays family, the San Francisco Giants and the baseball world in mourning the passing of Willie Mays. Quite simply, Willie was a pioneer as part of the first generation of African American players in Major League Baseball and one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Not only was he one of the most talented players on the field as a World Series champion, two-time league MVP, 24-time all-star, 12-time Gold Glove winner and Hall of Famer, but off the field he was an inspiration to generations of baseball fans. The “Say Hey Kid” thrilled fans with his electric energy on the field in every ballpark he played—including 179 games at Wrigley Field. Mays will always have a place in the long history of America’s Pastime.”