06/19/2024
I often thought for the last 65 years that I could not imagine a world without Willie Mays in it. I lived in New York for a year as a child and had his Rookie card. Our family treasured our "connection" to Willie from my Grandmother with her season tickets at Candlestick, to my mom who sold him a Cadillac, to me taking my Mom to Scottsdale for spring training and riding home with him on the same airplane just a few rows away. To my son Paul, who got off that plane and found himself in the same bathroom as Willie, who was taking a pause while heading to the baggage pickup. I told Paul not many have shared a moment like that with Willie. At the baggage pickup, there were hugs all around, with me barely able to get words out and my mother inquiring about his car. Paul and I mentioned him two weeks ago and wondered about his health.--he seemed to be immortal, and that was the way I liked it.
Godspeed, Willie Mays; thank you for being such a constant golden thread throughout four generations of my family. You have no idea how much we all loved you. I have an autographed picture down in the "WomanCave." It will be with me until I join you all on the Field of Dreams. I know my Grannie Jimmie, Granny Pat, and many other beloved SF Giants fans are welcoming you home.
The San Francisco Giants Issued the Following Statement on Behalf of Willie Mays’ Family and the Organization: It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. “My father has passed
