WILLIE MAYS was a major-league center fielder for 22 seasons with the New York Giants, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets and played for the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro Leagues. He hit 660 home runs, collected 3,283 hits, stole 338 bases, earned 12 Gold Gloves and played in 24 All-Star Games. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979. JOHN SHEA is the award-winning baseball columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle and Willie's longtime acquaintance. He has written four books, including the autobiography Rickey Henderson, Off Base: Confessions of a Thief.
"Praise for 24: His new memoir will remind fans of why we love baseball so much, and also, now, of why we miss it. --Tyler Kepner, The New York Times ...the nostalgic 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid is a welcome treat. It's also a salute to what the game used to be, not only before the pandemic but before it got too big. Back when it was a game played for the love of it, by guys who still lived in the neighborhood. --Jacqueline Cutler, New York Daily News Eloquent and inspirational, Mays' words serve as a glue for the text, bringing readers inside the clubhouse at pivotal moments and revealing Mays' philosophy on sports, camaraderie and a life well lived. More than a baseball history, ""24"" feels akin to a fireside chat with a sports hero brimming with wisdom. --Zack Ruskin, San Francisco Chronicle Datebook This book shows off the best parts of Mays, and is a delightful read while waiting for baseball to return. --Rich Dubroff, Baltimore Baseball Shea chronicles Mays's life and legacy with attention, detail, and awe...[a] definitive work about a living legend. --Publishers Weekly [Mays'] upbeat personality shines even when discussing difficult topics...Baseball fans of all ages and anyone seeking inspiration will enjoy memories and motivation shared in a warm, joyous manner by the irrepressible Say Hey Kid. --Library Journal (starred review) ""This unusual mix of memoir, self-help, and baseball history...drives home the point that there's never been anyone quite like number 24."" --Booklist ""Terrific . . . It is a must read."" --Forbes.com The Willie Mays bio is filled with examples of excelling under pressure. --Investor's Business Daily Praise for Willie Mays: It's because of giants like Willie that someone like me could even think about running for president. --President Barack Obama ""We sat and talked a long time about baseball, which really helped me more than anything in the world, sitting and talking to him about baseball."" --Hank Aaron Willie's the greatest all-around player of all time. You listen to his stories, you learn so much.... Nobody tells stories like Willie. --Dave Roberts, 2016 National League Manager of the Year"