Barack Obama gave a birthday shoutout to MLB Hall of Famer and San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays on his 90th birthday.

The former president hailed Mays as a pioneer and trailblazer who paved the way for Obama and others to hold positions of repute:

“Happy 90th birthday to Willie Mays! If it wasn't for folks like Willie and Jackie Robinson, I might never have made it to the White House,” Obama tweeted. “The spirit he played with and the way he carried himself changed the game and people’s attitudes. I’m glad he’s still going strong.”

The “Say Hey Kid” is one of the greatest players in MLB history.

Mays' career spanned about 25 years including his time in the Negro Leagues. He became a seminal figure in the sport's history, winning multiple MVPs and making 24 All-Star teams, tied with the late Hank Aaron and St. Louis Cardinals icon Stan Musial for most all-time.

Mays possessed a tremendous blend of power, speed and athleticism. Former MLB catcher and commentator Tim McCarver told Mike Lupica it was sometimes hard not to be totally enraptured with Mays because of his gifts and charisma:

“As his opponent, you had to make sure you didn’t fall under his spell,” McCarver said, via Lupica. “Because that was the trap you could fall into being on the same field with him. You could be spellbound at the things he could do and the way he could do them.”

The MLB community has unfortunately lost its share of icons in the past year. But Willie Mays is still going strong at 90 years old and continues to be an important bridge to the past for the likes of Obama and others.