REACTION TO THE DEATH OF WILLIE MAYS, 'THE GODFATHER OF CENTER FIELDERS'

FILE - Baseball great Willie Mays smiles prior to a game between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Aug. 19, 2016. Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93. Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night, June 18, 2024, he had “passed away peacefully” Tuesday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Reaction from the sports world and beyond to the death of baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays. He died Tuesday at age 93, Mays family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced. Mays’ electrifying combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players.

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“I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion. I have no words to describe what you mean to me — you helped shape me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a big hug for me. Rest in peace Willie. I love you forever. #SayHey” — Former hitter and Mays’ godson Barry Bonds.

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“He’s the godfather of center fielders. When you think about playing center field and you’re a person of color, that’s who they compare you to. For him to pull me aside and spend all the time he did with me meant a lot.” — Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.

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“Willie Mays wasn’t just a singular athlete, blessed with an unmatched combination of grace, skill and power. He was also a wonderfully warm and generous person – and an inspiration to an entire generation. I’m lucky to have spent time with him over the years, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family.” — Former President Barack Obama.

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“He was a guy I talked to a lot, and we talked baseball. He had a little office right by mine up there. And so I was fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with that man. Of course, what a legend he is, could be the best, the greatest player of all time, that’s how good he was.” — Former San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy.

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“His incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching Willie Mays dominate the game in every way imaginable. We will never forget this true Giant on and off the field.” — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

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“RIP Willie Mays. You changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream. Thank you for everything that you did on and off the field. Always in our hearts.” — Former pitcher CC Sabathia.

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“I’m devastated to hear about the passing of the legendary Hall of Famer Willie Mays, one of the main reasons I fell in love with baseball. Cookie and I are praying for his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.” — NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

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“The great Willie Mays has passed away. It was a privilege to know him. We were both honored by @MLB in 2010 with the Beacon Award, given to civil rights pioneers. He was a such a kind soul, who gifted my brother Randy a new glove and a television during his rookie year with the @SFGiants. My deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed.” — Tennis legend Billie Jean King.

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“Willie Mays’ passion for the game and incredible talent made him the embodiment of baseball for millions of fans and one of the most beloved players in history. More than a half century after his playing days, he remained an American treasure and a baseball icon synonymous with love of the game. His ever-present smile and joyous presence radiated throughout Cooperstown, and we will forever cherish his legacy. For teammates, opponents and friends, Willie Mays exemplified excellence.” — Baseball Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark.

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“Willie ended his Hall of Fame career in Queens and was a key piece to the 1973 NL championship team. Mays played with a style and grace like no one else. Alex and I were thrilled to honor a previous promise from Joan Payson to retire his iconic #24 as a member of the Mets in 2022. On behalf of our entire organization, we send our thoughts and prayers to Willie’s family and friends.” — Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen.

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“From his professional debut with the Birmingham Black Barons at age 17 through his 24 All-Star Games to his Hall of Fame induction in 1979, Willie’s skill on the field and impact off it elevated him to a stature that was larger than life.” — MLB Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark

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“The great Willie Mays has passed away. Had the honor of talking with him several times. He loved that we mentioned his ’54 World Series catch in City Slickers. The man who hit the ball and the “ Giant” who caught it signed this ball. RIP #24.. a thrill to watch you play.” — Actor Billy Crystal.

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“Best player I’ve ever seen. Greatest player. I fortunately grew up in the Bay Area during Mays’ prime, and he was a five-tool player, an extraordinarily good five-tool player. You’d go to a game and he would do something. Whether it would be a great catch, a great throw, a stolen base, hit a home run or he’d do them all. He was just that kind of player. … What always came off was that he was the ‘Say Hey Kid.’ He had that ebullient personality. Infectious and genuine, and I got to tell him he was the greatest player I ever saw.” — Former player Keith Hernandez.

- Associated Press 

MLB PLAYERS' EXECUTIVE SUBCOMMITTEE APPEARS TO REJECT INSURGENT LAWYER HARRY MARINO

AP Photo 

 NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players' union head Tony Clark made his first public responses to an effort aimed at ousting his chief negotiator, issuing a statement from the eight-man executive subcommittee appearing to reject insurgent lawyer Harry Marino.

Clark said the subcommittee authorized him to release a statement saying: “We still have issues to discuss, but one thing clear among the MLB executive subcommittee members is that this is no longer a Harry Marino discussion, in any respect.”

The subcommittee, the union's highest-ranking player body, includes Detroit pitcher Jack Flaherty, Boston pitcher Lucas Giolito, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ, New York Mets infielder Francisco Lindor, Houston pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., Texas infielder Marcus Semien, San Francisco outfielder Austin Slater and Cincinnati pitcher Brent Suter. The statement did not include the four players with minor league contracts added to the subcommittee.

Clark issued a statement earlier Sunday in response to one from Marino, a former union official who hopes players will remove Major League Baseball Players Association deputy director Bruce Meyer, the union's chief negotiator of the 2022 collective bargaining agreement.

Marino, a former minor leaguer who headed successful efforts to unionize players with minor league contracts, claimed union members are being bullied and retaliated against for expressing their opinions for change.

“For decades, the bedrock of the MLBPA has been an engaged membership that does not bend to outside agendas," Clark said in a statement. “It therefore comes as no surprise that a coordinated and covert effort to challenge this foundation has troubled players at all levels of professional baseball."

After minor leaguers joined the union, it restructured its executive board to include 38 players with major league contracts and 34 with minor league contracts. The executive board makes decisions by majority vote, such as hiring the executive director, and the staff reports to the executive director.

“How hard the players are willing to fight for the changes they want is a decision for the players," Marino said. ”As a former minor league player who played a key role in bringing 5,500 new members to the union, I will never turn down a request for assistance from any group of major league or minor league players. My sole aim is to serve the players and I will continue to make myself available to do so in whatever way I am asked."

Clark, a former All-Star first baseman, has headed the union for 11 years and is just its fifth executive director after Marvin Miller (1966-82, '83), Ken Moffett (1982-83), Donald Fehr (1983-2009) and Michael Weiner (2009-13).

Clark became executive director following Weiner's death from a brain tumor. In late 2022, the union announced Clark's contract had been extended five years through 2027. He earned $2.25 million in 2022, according to the union's financial report.

Meyer, a former partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and executive at the NHL Players Association, was hired as senior director of collective bargaining and legal in August 2018 and promoted to deputy executive director in July 2022. He earned $1.36 million in 2022.

Marino earned $68,977 during the portion of 2022 he was on the union staff as an assistant general counsel.

- RONALD BLUM