Willie Mays is one of sports’ most beloved figures and arguably the greatest baseball player of all time. Willie, the “Say Hey Kidâ€, spent almost his entire career with first, the New York Giants and then, the San Francisco Giants. His number, 24, has been retired by the team (although Willie offered it to his godson, Barry Bonds). He holds numerous records and awards, including World Series championships, MVPs, Hall of Fame membership, Player of the Decade and the honor of a statue of him outside San Francisco’s ball park. Willie Mays has hobnobbed with kings and presidents, with children and charwomen, and everyone is the better for their association with him. He is a latter day elder statesman of sort, a dignified and gracious reminder of a finer, nobler time in sports.
