Willie Mays Honored by Obama, Bonds, Baker, More at Giants' Celebration of Life
July 9, 2024
The San Francisco Giants held a public Celebration of Life in honor of legendary Hall of Famer outfielder Willie Mays on Monday.
Former Giants manager Dusty Baker, Giants legend Barry Bonds, ex-San Francisco ace pitcher Juan Marichal and former President Bill Clinton were among those who celebrated Mays. Former United States President Barack Obama also delivered a video message.
Janie McCauley of the Associated Press listed others in attendance.
"Some others in attendance were former President Bill Clinton -- a dear friend of Mays -- Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, executive and former manager and player Joe Torre, Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson and Juan Marichal and retired managers Dusty Baker and Felipe Alou. Former Giants owner Bob Lurie, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and former Mayor Willie Brown, and retired longtime National Baseball Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson also attended the memorial."
Baker and Bonds' comments can be found below.
Mays' son, Michael, also provided poignant words.
Clinton appeared and spoke on Mays' legacy.
Considered the consummate five-tool player, Mays is considered by some to be the best ballplayer who ever lived. The Say Hey Kid also earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 from President Obama:
Mays also served in the United States Army in Fort Eustis in Virginia from 1952-1954 after being drafted during the Korean War. The Army honored Mays during the ceremony.
Mays was a two-time MVP, 24-time All-Star and 12-time Gold Glove Award winner who also led the Giants to the 1954 World Series title. His 660 home runs rank sixth all time, and he is also just one of eight players to score 2,000 or more runs.
