24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid

In my view, Willie was the greatest all around player of all time, no one else is even close. So, being a big fan, my opinion is a little biased. This a good read. It goes a little deeper than just offering the accolades of Willie's HOF career. It also shows his humanitarian side as well. A great addition to your collection!

Growing up in the 60's and 70's many baseball players were there for me to follow and pretend to be as I played in my backyard and on our local diamonds. Willie Mays was one of those players. Watching Willie Mays play on TV and then hoping I would get his card in my 5 or 10 cent bubblegum pack were things I looked forward too. So many players especially from the 60's and 70's I admired. I do miss those days. I read some good things about the book 24. So I purchased it and I am glad I did. I enjoyed the stories and comments from Willie and others. From his beginnings to the end of his playing career with the Mets. Insightful comments and life lessons thrown in for all ages. This book was well done by Willie Mays and John Shea. The pictures were a great addition as were the photos on the front and back insides of the book. Thank You to the players from the 60's and 70's. Thank You to Willie Mays "The Complete Ballplayer".

When I read this book it reminded me of what it was like to grow up as a boy in the 1960s. I was almost finished with the book when Willie passed away and then the full impact of what he meant to boys like me hit me like a ton of bricks.

There is a good reason Willy Mays is referred to as the Say-Hey Kid. He brought a child’s joy of playing the game to all he did, both on and off the field.24 is written from the same perspective. It intersperses highlights from May’s personal biography with tales directly from the Say Hey Kid himself. One learns how he overcame poverty, racism and the normal problems of youth to become one of the greatest ball players of all time. In addition, like Babe Ruth, his fellow rival for the title of GOAT, one hears about his life of helping others, particularly the young.However, the book is not a critical biography. It doesn’t spend much time detailing the circumstances of Mays’s life or providing a detailed examination of America in the fifties. Instead, it is truly a book for the young and the young at heart who still remember seeing Mays play. For the young it provides lesson after lesson about how not to let adversity crush one’s quest for a well-lived life. For those who can still remember him play, it has hundreds of tales, many previously unpublished, about Mays’ playing days: the legends he played with like Snyder and Mantle; the catch in the 1951 World Series; the friendships between Mays, McCovey and Bonds...Enough to make anyone take a welcome dip into nostalgia.The book then succeeds with its target audience. And while it may not be the last word on Mays’s life, it is probably the last public retelling of his life from Mays’s own perspective (he’s now ninety years old.)It is sure to be loved by all fans of America’s pastime. With the baseball season on hold, what better than to travel down memory lane with Willie Mays as one’s guide. Highly recommended.

A terrific book. It has verbatim interaction with Willie. I knew a great deal about Willie. I first saw him play for the NYGiants --- at the Polo Grounds. He was 23-years old. I was 8. And I have read most --- if not all the books about him. This book brings the Willie Mays Saga up-to-date --- and it does so in the manner and style of a great writer who happens to cover Sports --- and The Giants. It is a "must" read for all Baseball fans.

This is a very insightful look into what made Willie Mays so great…..on the field as well as off. His outstanding natural ability and baseball skills are of course are highlighted. However, there is another side that we often did not know about. He was a master at studying his opposition and capitalize on their weaknesses. He was a teacher and mentor to all he played with and befriended. A truly gifted man who has lived a remarkable life.

Entertaining book, well written. It kept my interest through out the book. 24 chapters, 24 great stories; like chapter 12 about a 16 inning game between the Giants and the Braves. I heard about this game growing up, but did'nt know how great a game it truly was, I do now! If you love the game of baseball you need to check out this book! You won't be disapppointed

I purchased this Willie Mays " 24" Life Stories and Lessons from the "Say Hay Kid " because my husband mentioned he would like to have the book for his birthday, so I ordered it on a Sunday night and received it on Tuesday the day of his birthday. I was so happy and he was surprised to get it. He has been reading it every time he has a chance and is really enjoying it. He says he learned a lot of things he never knew before about Willie Mays life who is his favorite Baseball player.

Didn’t love the writing style. Seemed too sanitized and sycophantic, beyond the direct quotes from Willy - even for a co-authored autobiography.