Additional Coverage:
- Late Hall of Famer Willie Mays receives final military honors for his U.S. Army service (newsbreak.com)
SAN FRANCISCO — In a heartfelt ceremony, baseball legend Willie Mays was honored posthumously with military accolades at a public memorial service held Monday. The event saw the presentation of an American flag to his son Michael while the bugle call of taps echoed in tribute to the late Hall of Famer.
The service was attended by a roster of baseball greats, including Mays’ godson, Barry Bonds. Distinguished guests shared anecdotes and watched video tributes that traced back to Mays’ early days playing stickball near New York’s Polo Grounds.
Willie Mays, who transcended the barriers of the Negro Leagues to become one of baseball’s iconic figures, passed away on June 18 at the age of 93. Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays’ illustrious career included 660 home runs, a remarkable feat considering he missed several peak years serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.
The San Francisco Giants’ ballpark set a poignant stage for the memorial, with a giant “24” – Mays’ jersey number – positioned on the infield. Barry Bonds and other attendees were seated prominently as they paid their respects.
The ceremony was graced by notable figures including former President Bill Clinton, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, and a host of baseball luminaries such as Joe Torre, Dennis Eckersley, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, and Juan Marichal. Also present were Dusty Baker, Felipe Alou, former owners, city officials, and baseball executives.
Broadcaster Jon Miller, who served as master of ceremonies, also paid homage to Orlando Cepeda, another Hall of Famer who recently passed away, and reflected on the legacy of other baseball greats.
Bill Clinton reminisced about his childhood love for baseball, particularly his memories of listening to games before he had access to a television.
A recorded prayer from the Rev. Bill Greason, Mays’ former teammate and friend, was played on the stadium’s main scoreboard, adding a spiritual dimension to the remembrances.
Commissioner Manfred highlighted Mays’ integral role in establishing and nurturing San Francisco’s deep connection with baseball, praising him as a quintessential ambassador of the sport’s enchantment and influence.
The event drew approximately 3,400 attendees in the stands, with a total of about 4,500 people gathered to remember the baseball giant.