US baseball legend Willie Mays dies

Willie Mays, the center fielder and home run and batting average king for the San Franciso Giants across more than two decades, died on Tuesday, the US baseball club announced. 

"It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93," the Giants said in a statement. 

Mays' likeness stands guard outside the Giants' Oracle Park stadiumImage: Tony Avelar/AP Photo/picture alliance

The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper had reported the same shortly beforehand, citing Mays' son. 

Mays is considered by many to be among the all-time greats, a proficient outfielder who hit with power and efficiency across 20 years.

Two years ago, the ESPN sports network put him second behind only Babe Ruth in its most recent all-time leaderboard.

Mays received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photo/picture alliance

More to follow...

msh/sms (AFP, AP, Reuters)