Pelosi mourns ‘trailblazer’ Willie Mays

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) mourned baseball great Willie Mays in a Tuesday statement.

“Giants fans — and all Americans — mourn the loss of a San Francisco icon and an all-time great: Willie Mays,” Pelosi said of the former San Francisco Giants player. 

“The Say Hey Kid was a trailblazer, from the baseball diamond to the fight for civil rights,” the California Democrat continued. “A generational talent with an unbreakable spirit, he was dazzling to watch play ball as he paved a path from the Negro Leagues to Major League Baseball to the Hall of Fame. And in overcoming racism and discrimination on the field, Willie opened the doors to the dugout for generations of Black athletes.”

According to a statement from the San Francisco Giants, which did not give a cause of death, Mays died Tuesday afternoon at 93. Mays played for the Giants for 21 seasons and was an All-Star 24 times, per the statement.

“Willie Mays was a national treasure who left an indelible imprint on the lives of generations of Americans,” Pelosi continued in her statement. “May it be a comfort to his son, Michael, his dear friend, John Shea, and all his loved ones that so many today pray for them during this sad time and remain committed to carrying on Willie’s extraordinary legacy.”

Former President Obama, who awarded Mays the Presidential Medal of Freedom nine years ago, also praised Mays, referring to the baseball icon as “an inspiration to an entire generation.”

“Willie Mays wasn’t just a singular athlete, blessed with an unmatched combination of grace, skill and power,” Obama said in a statement Tuesday on the social platform X. “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,” he added.