Giants’ Hall of Famer Willie Mays will be among 17 people to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in a Nov. 24 ceremony at the White House.
“On behalf of the entire Giants organization and our fans, we congratulate Willie Mays on being recognized for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which honors his accomplishments, values and military service,” the Giants said in a statement. “As everyone knows, Willie is a national treasure and one of the greatest players in the history of baseball. I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to recognize Willie for his endless contributions to our national pastime.”
In its statement, the White House said, “The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Mays, 84, was the 1951 Rookie of the Year, a two-time MVP and 24-time All-Star (from 1959-62 there were two All-Star Games each season). He missed the 1953 season while serving in the Army.
His 660 career home runs are still fifth on the all-time list and his 3,283 hits are 12th all-time.
The only other baseball player being honored this year is Yogi Berra, who died Sept. 22 at the age of 90.
Among the others receiving the Medal of Freedom that day are: the late Shirley Chisholm (the first black woman elected to Congress), musicians Emilio and Gloria Estefan and Itzhak Perlman, author Stephen Sondheim, director Steven Spielberg and singers Barbra Streisand and James Taylor.
Your collective inability to acknowledge this obvious truth makes you all look like fools.
