'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA//aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAsYcNf//EAB4QAAICAgMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAIDAQQFIQARMQZz/9oACAEBAAE/APr8QOTbUuse2q9zlVqwAUsEJ3AFuYgNjvoZ5kLYVr9lE38h2ppB6c+T+nP/xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAID/9oACAECAQE/AMLpP//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQh/9oACAEDAQE/ALMFh//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The San Francisco Giants community is mourning the loss of their beloved Willie Mays after the club announced on Tuesday that the former World Series champion is no more. The news reverberated in the Bay Area and many are posting their heartfelt tributes to Mays.
In honor of his contributions, the Giants decided to add the 'Mays 24' patch to their jerseys. The patch will have the 24-time All-Star's last name along with his jersey number.
Moreover, in the photos shared on social media by the club, the Wrigley Field dugout also had No. 24 written in the background of the Giants lineup sheet. Ahead of their game against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, the team shared a moment of silence to remember Mays.
In a statement issued by Michael Mays on Wednesday, Willie Mays died in the presence of his loved ones.
"My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years,” Michael told AP. “You have been his life's blood."
As far as the game is concerned, the Giants lost a hard-fought game 6-5 against the Cubs.
Willie Mays to be honored at Rickwood Field for Negro League Tribute Game
The late Giants legend was supposed to be present this Thursday for the Negro League tribute game to be played between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals at Alabama's Rickwood Field. However, due to health reasons, Mays issued a statement for his absence and said he would be watching it from Bay Area.
“My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons,” Mays said. [via NBC Bay Area].
Willie Mays will be among the many Negro League players who will be honored this Thursday at Rickwood Field, where the last Negro World Series was played in 1948. Mays was part of that series, playing for the Birmingham Black Barons, who fell to the Homestead Grays in five games.
