Legendary Astros Manager Discusses Visiting Willie Mays Before His Passing

The baseball world was shocked when it was announced that legendary baseball player Willie Mays had died on Tuesday at the age of 93.

Everyone connected to Mays will mourn this loss as he was such an important figure in the sport and loved by those who knew him.

Legendary Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker will be hurt by this loss, having known him for a long time after competing against him during their playing days.

As Major League Baseball prepares to host a single game at legendary Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday, it has been revealed that Mays will not be able to make the trip due to his health.

That prompted Baker to visit the legendary baseball player on Monday, and he said he was one of the last people to see Mays alive.

“There was just something that told me to go see him. My dad always told me that if you’re thinking about someone, don’t delay. You don’t know if you’ll see them again. Well, I am went to see him, and thank God I did,” he told USA TODAY Sports.

Baker and Mays were longtime friends, forming a bond that lasted even when the future Hall of Fame manager was the skipper of different teams around the league.

Both players’ former team, the San Francisco Giants, will face the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in what is sure to be an emotional and special event.

“Isn’t it ironic? … that while the eyes of the entire baseball world are on Birmingham, Willie is passing through,” Baker said of the upcoming game.

Mays grew up just a few miles from the stadium that was home to the Birmingham Black Barons, the team he played for in 1948 and helped advance to the Negro World Series as a high school student.

After signing with the New York Giants, he was called up to the major leagues in 1951 and won the National League Rookie of the Year award, sparking a career that was one of the greatest baseball has ever seen.

Mays won a World Series, two MVP awards, 12 Gold Gloves, a batting title and was selected to 24 All-Star Games. He is sixth all-time with 660 home runs, was the first player to surpass 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases in a career, and still holds records for strikeouts by an outfielder (7,095) and home runs in innings additional (22).

Baker knows the legacy his longtime friend leaves behind.

“I’m definitely going to miss him, we all are… He was something, wasn’t he?… Willie’s presence here will be stronger than ever,” he said.