Elephant Rumblings: Willie Mays dies at 93

MLB news roundup

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

It may be a fool’s errand to declare that any MLB player was definitively the greatest ever, but I think it’s fair to say that Willie Mays reigned as the most accomplished living player for a very long time. “The Say Hey Kid” passed at age 93 yesterday, and he will be remembered with reverence.

The A’s took the field with a newly pruned lineup against the Royals yesterday for a series opener at the Coliseum. Gone are veterans Seth Brown, who was outrighted to Triple-A, and J.D. Davis, who was designated for assignment. Connor Ashford has details on these latest roster moves.

There may be a bit more pruning left to do, but just letting the kids play is paying off so far: the A’s snapped a nine game skid, coming out on top in last night’s 7-5 slugfest. They’ll look to build some positive momentum today behind starting pitcher Luis Medina, who needs to re-establish command over his considerable stuff to get his nascent big league career back on track.

Rest in Peace, Willie Mays.

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics beat Royals 7-5 in Oakland
• A’s roster moves: Butler and Nevin up, Brown outrighted, Davis DFA’d
• Spence works hard for the Major League money
• Latest Mock Has Oakland A’s Landing a Top Two Talent

MLB News & Interest:

• Willie Mays, San Francisco Giants legend and MLB all-time great, is dead ($)
• MLB Power Rankings: Diamondbacks, Cardinals on the rise; every team’s unsung hero ($)
• Blue Jays, James Kaprielian Agree To Minor League Deal
• MLB to use ABS challenge system for remainder of Triple-A season
• The essence of Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies’ everyman slugger with an empathetic spirit ($)
• Road to Rickwood: Will the Giants’ game leave behind a positive impact in Birmingham? ($)
• Astros Place Justin Verlander On Injured List
• Blue Jays Place Bo Bichette On Injured List, Recall Orelvis Martinez
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Mays’ latest hits were at the Coli.

Mays looming large over Henderson Field.

Roster moves.

Braden and Powell reconnect.

Sometimes I wonder who really most deserved being in The Hall.

Great mascot! Reminds me of our yard possum, McNulty.