5 Baseball Legends We Lost In 2025 And Late 2024: Inside The Final Days Of MLB's Most Recent Departures

The Major League Baseball community has once again paused to mourn the loss of several iconic figures, with the final months of 2024 and the entirety of 2025 marking a period of profound sadness for fans and players alike. As of this December 2025, the game is still processing the farewells to legends whose careers spanned generations, from Hall of Fame icons to pioneers who broke barriers both on and off the field. This article provides an in-depth look at the most recent and impactful departures, celebrating their monumental careers and detailing the final moments of these beloved figures.

The passing of any former player, whether a perennial All-Star or a short-stint journeyman, resonates deeply, reminding the world of the fragile human element behind the timeless game. The recent deaths of former All-Star infielder Sandy Alomar Sr. and pitcher Ed Acosta in late 2025, alongside the 2024 losses of legends like Willie Mays and Rickey Henderson, underscore a significant transition in baseball history, prompting a fresh appreciation for their enduring contributions to America's pastime.

The Baseball Community's Most Recent Farewells: Biographies of the Fallen

The year 2025 brought with it the loss of several key figures, most notably the patriarch of a major baseball family and a former pitcher known for his colorful career.

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Sandy Alomar Sr. (1943–2025)

• Born: October 19, 1943, in Salinas, Puerto Rico
• Died: October 13, 2025, at age 81
• Cause of Death: Not publicly specified; passed away just days before his 82nd birthday.
• MLB Career: Infielder (Second Baseman/Shortstop) for the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers (1964–1978).
• Highlights: 1970 All-Star with the Angels.
• Legacy: Father of two All-Star MLB players, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar. He was a beloved coach and manager in the minor leagues and in his native Puerto Rico.

The passing of Sandy Alomar Sr. in October 2025 was a poignant moment for the sport. An All-Star infielder, he was perhaps best known for his role as the patriarch of one of baseball's most respected families. His sons, Sandy Jr. and Roberto, both achieved phenomenal success in the Major Leagues, a testament to the foundation he provided. His death at 81, just shy of his birthday, was a quiet end to a life dedicated entirely to baseball, from his playing days to his extensive coaching career.

Eduardo "Ed" Acosta (1944–2025)

• Born: March 9, 1944, in Boquete, Panama
• Died: September 18, 2025, at age 81 in Los Angeles, CA
• Cause of Death: Not publicly specified.
• MLB Career: Pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, and Milwaukee Brewers (1970–1972).
• Highlights: Pitched 57 games in the Majors.
• Legacy: Known by the nickname "Coca Cola" and was a notable Panamanian player in the early 1970s.

Former pitcher Ed Acosta, a Panamanian native, also passed away in September 2025. While his Major League career was brief, his presence represented the growing international influence on the game during that era. His nickname, "Coca Cola," reflected his energetic and effervescent personality, leaving a lasting impression on teammates and fans of the San Diego Padres and other clubs.

The Hall of Fame Icons: Remembering the Giants of 2024

The year 2024 witnessed the departure of two of the game's undeniable legends, both of whom redefined their respective positions and left behind records considered untouchable.

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Willie Mays (1931–2024)

• Born: May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama
• Died: June 18, 2024, at age 93
• Cause of Death: Heart failure.
• MLB Career: Center Fielder for the New York/San Francisco Giants and New York Mets (1951–1973).
• Highlights: 24-time All-Star, 2-time NL MVP, 12 Gold Gloves, 1954 World Series Champion, 660 Career Home Runs, Baseball Hall of Fame (1979).
• Legacy: Widely regarded as the greatest all-around player in baseball history, known as "The Say Hey Kid."

The death of Willie Mays from heart failure in June 2024 sent a shockwave through the entire sports world. "The Say Hey Kid" was a cultural icon whose brilliance transcended baseball. His 1954 World Series catch, simply known as "The Catch," remains one of the most famous defensive plays in history. Mays's career statistics—660 home runs, 3,283 hits, and a record 24 All-Star selections—only begin to tell the story of his impact. His passing at 93 closed the chapter on one of the sport's true living legends.

Rickey Henderson (1958–2024)

• Born: December 25, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois
• Died: December 20, 2024, at age 65
• Cause of Death: Complications from pneumonia.
• MLB Career: Outfielder for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and others (1979–2003).
• Highlights: 10-time All-Star, 1990 AL MVP, 2-time World Series Champion, All-Time Leader in Stolen Bases (1,406) and Runs Scored (2,295), Baseball Hall of Fame (2009).
• Legacy: Nicknamed "The Man of Steal," he revolutionized the leadoff hitter position and the art of base stealing.

Just before Christmas in 2024, the baseball world lost its "Man of Steal," Rickey Henderson, who succumbed to complications from pneumonia at the age of 65. Henderson's death was a sudden and tragic loss for a player who remained a vibrant, beloved figure long after his retirement. His all-time records for stolen bases and runs scored are two of the most untouchable marks in the game, cementing his status as the greatest leadoff hitter in history. His asthmatic condition was a known factor that complicated his final days battling the severe respiratory illness.

The Health Conversation: Illness, Tragedy, and the Battle Against Acute Myeloid Leukemia

While many baseball players live long lives, the recent past has also included the tragic loss of players in their prime or those who fought courageous battles against serious diseases. The circumstances surrounding the death of Billy Bean in 2024 highlighted a different kind of fight, one that brought a crucial health and social conversation to the forefront of the MLB.

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Billy Bean (1964–2024)

• Born: May 11, 1964, in Santa Ana, California
• Died: August 6, 2024, at age 60
• Cause of Death: Complications from a yearlong battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
• MLB Career: Outfielder for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres (1987–1995).
• Legacy: One of the first former professional athletes in American team sports to come out as gay. He served as an MLB Ambassador for Inclusion, significantly impacting the league's efforts toward diversity and acceptance.

The passing of Billy Bean at 60 after an 11-month fight with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was a profound loss. Bean's legacy extends far beyond his playing career. After coming out as gay following his retirement, he became a pivotal executive for Major League Baseball, serving as the Ambassador for Inclusion. His work focused on fostering an environment of acceptance and respect across all levels of the sport. His courageous public battle with AML, a severe form of cancer, brought attention to the disease and further cemented his status as a pioneer and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community within professional sports.

The Enduring Legacies of Baseball's Lost Entities

The recent departures of these figures—from the international contributions of Ed Acosta to the family dynasty of Sandy Alomar Sr., and the monumental, record-breaking careers of Willie Mays and Rickey Henderson—serve as a powerful reminder of baseball's rich history and the interconnectedness of its generations. The entities they represent—the San Francisco Giants, the Oakland Athletics, the Dodgers, the Padres, and the entire Puerto Rican baseball community—are all united in mourning.

The conversation surrounding the deaths of these players naturally incorporates several topical authorities and LSI keywords, including the discussion of MLB tragedies, the importance of baseball player obituaries in preserving history, the impact of career-ending injuries, and the ongoing need for health awareness among former athletes. The fight of Billy Bean against AML, the suddenness of Henderson's pneumonia complications, and the natural end to Mays's long life all contribute to a complex narrative about health, longevity, and the indelible mark left on the game.

As the 2025 season concludes, the sport will continue to honor these men. Their names will be spoken in the context of records, championships, and cultural impact, ensuring that the legacies of "The Say Hey Kid," "The Man of Steal," and the many other entities we lost will live on in the annals of baseball history.