willie mays has died at the age of 93. many of us, including myself, weren't even old enough to see him play. but we saw the highlights. the over-the-shoulder catch, that radiant smile. baseball is a game of generations, and willie mays transcended generations. most of us agree willie mays was the greatest baseball player of all time. this is all unfolding within the last 90 minutes. so we're going to just go through this together. we are being flooded with memorials and memories from former players, family members and the fans. willie howard mays was born in alabama, played in the leagues before joining the new york giants back in 1951. he made the move out west here to the west coast in 1958, when the giants moved to san francisco. he left the giants in 1972 and then ended his career with the new york mets in 1973. just a short while ago, another giants legend, barry bonds, posting an emotional tribute on instagram, quote i am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion. i have no words to describe what you mean to me. y

and then our favorite son, willie mays. we have a huge picture in our museum of willie with his hands on his knees, with a huge smile. and i tried to tell people as we were thinking about what we wanted to do and as far as replicating the field of dreams, i said this is not a movie site. this is a place where a real young man named willie mays stood out in the outfield and dreamed of being in the big leagues. and he made it. and again, no, nothing against the folks in iowa. but that's the movie site. this is real. yeah. and, i think that, as people come in and see that picture, and mlb is bringing his hall of fame plaque here that was planned before he passed. i think there's going to be a lot of tears shed in birmingham and across the country. and rickwood field will never be the same now that willie has passed. i mean, it had to happen eventually, but his memory will will be on the minds of everyone who comes through here, even more than it ever was. and we at rickwood field have, undergone a great transformation in order

willie mays made baseball a joy tonight in chicago. webb shared with us the moment he learned that mays had died. i kind of looked at the umpires and i was like, i think you need to stop the clock because i, i had to take a moment to think about it and be be prideful for the jersey. i was wearing the hat i was wearing and know that, you know, willie did the same. and and then, you know, they played the say-hey song and it was, a little memory. logan webb. these guys are kids. and you see the impact that willie mays in his 90s had on kids that are in their 20s. and their 30s. as for the game here, logan webb was solid through seven, but in the eighth inning, tyler rogers gives up this rbi single to cody bellinger. the cubs had a three run eighth inning. the cubbies beat the giants at wrigley field, final score of 5 to 2 at the coliseum in oakland tonight. the a's and the royals. the a's also had a moment of silence for willie mays. fourth inning here. bottom of the fourth, zack gelof with a three run homer. he's pumped up here. he's one

you know, because of willie mays. t that much. >> really sad news, you know, but willie lived a great life and i was fortunate enough to meet him and have some great conversations with him. and, you know, just praying for his family and, you know, everybody that had a relationship with him. it's, it's a tough pill to swallow. >> we got to meet willie for the first time when i was, 17 years old and in trucks and, every year i've got to listen to his stories and talk to him. >> so it's a, you know, a sad day for the baseball world, but it's a really sad day for the giants. >> and the announcement of mays death spreading through the sports world in new york, another special place for mays. here's how the news was shared during the yankees orioles broadcast. >> we hate to report this. the giants just sent this out on social media. it was great sadness that we announced the san francisco giants legend and hall of famer willie mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. just awful, awful news. willie mays co

he also coauthored a willie mays biography with mays himself. he told our own sal castaneda about what he learned while writing that book. >> i didn't know he inspired so many people. i mean, in my day job at the san francisco chronicle, if i'm working on a story and i reach out to ten people and if 3 or 4 of them get back, that's a wonderful day with willie mays. everybody has a willie mays story. i put out ten phone calls and ten people would call back. i interviewed george w bush and bill clinton and hank aaron and all these amazing hall of famers 30 and all and childhood buddies and celebrities, everybody has a willie mays story, and everybody's eager to share their willie mays story. >> shea says he spent time with mays last wednesday, and said mays seemed healthy. he said the two discussed the upcoming game in birmingham. well, the giants were on the road tonight playing the cubs at wrigley field, where mays played many times. and tonight the ballpark held a moment of silence. >> ladies and gentlemen, it is with great sadness that we annou

willie mays. i just i lost. all right. let's get out there. and i morning. >> that memorial continues to grow as so many people are stopping by spending quiet moments with willie mays. some dropping off flowers, candles, taking selfies and then this just happened. look at this out. beautiful. this bouquet is and it just got dropped off from stanley getty designs. here's jason mallah bed. it was so important for you to be here. you and your friends that you got up early this morning went down to the flower shop and did what i wiped them out. yes, you guys absolutely clean them out of every creation that they this morning grabbed about. 1000 somewhere on 1000 carnations and >> got a gathering able make it happen and why was it so important? willie mays transcends sports. >> willie mays probably had shoes older than but you're here with me. he touched you. yeah, you know, willie mays, important icon to san francisco, specially the giants and >> are you know, we have to. had to. so our respects and th

i mean, he was just like such a sparkling personality at the willie mays gate on 24 willie mays plazaomage to the five tool king. >> one more. hold on, hold on, hold on. outside the park, willie has become a selfie legend while inside his number, 24 sits retired between two other legends, will clark and barry bonds. >> he's probably a little biased, but i think he's the greatest player of all time and you know what he meant to this area, not just with a performance on the field. you know just how he played the game, it was, you know, with a lot of fun and that's what it's supposed to be playing a game. i think he embodied everything that's great about baseball. on top of that was a fantastic player. >> mays. his career comes full circle on june the 20th, as the giants and cardinals pay tribute to the leagues at willie's first professional stop, birmingham's rickwood field. merchandise is already a big hit at oracle. even the bobbleheads and another hall of famer can't wait to call the game willie mays started there and you know, we're used to the willie mays big league saga the polo g

i'm not an analyst. >> a true willie mays answer. there now, our cameras were also there in 2000 when his now famed statue was first unveiled. of course, that statue today surrounded by flowers and well wishes, who all loved willie well, san francisco's own cecil williams was there back in the day and said this about willie. >> willie mays has never forgotten what it means to touch the hearts and the souls and to lift up people who are really in need. you are like the sun and the wind and the rain. you bring us together and give us those elements of life which help us to have character and compassion and good will. >> and guys, yeah, couldn't have said it better myself. i do want to add one more thing about those patches. no word yet from the team on if they will wear them for the remainder of the season. but you got to imagine that they'll keep those on those uniforms. >> one of the stories i like, too, is just all the former ballplayers. when he was active and actually playing in the opposing parks, all the players would come up to

number 600 for willie mays >> to say willie mays was a great baseball player was an under statement. you can not mention the five greatest of all-time without him. born in 1931, son of a steel millworker, mays learned the game at an early age. his alabamhigh school had no baseball team it was clear that sport would define him. at 16 he was playing for the birmingham black barons of the negro leagues, the day after he graduated high school he signed with the new york giants and age 20 he was in the majors playing games at the polo grounds, that was 1951. his career was put on hold because of military service. 1954, he was back in a baseball uniform doing what he did best. >> way back, back, back it is gone! >> his over the shoulder catch in the win in cleveland is still considered by plane the greatest catch in the game. he was the most valuable player in 1954 >> i think i got you. did you hit your 31st home run today? do you play center field? do you say, hey willie mays? [ laughter ] >> it was his bat that did a lot of the talking. for eight years running he drove it over 100 runs. h

i mean, he was just like such a sparkling personality at the willie mays gate on 24 willie mays plazans pay homage to the five tool king. >> one more. hold on, hold on, hold on. outside the park, willie has become a selfie legend while inside his number, 24, sits retired between two other legends will clark and barry bonds. >> probably a little biased, but i think he's the greatest player of all time. and you know what he meant to this area, not just with a performance on the field, you know just how he played the game. it was you know, with a lot of fun and that's what it's supposed to be playing a game. i think he embodied everything that's great about baseball. on top of that was a fantastic player. >> mays. his career comes full circle on june the 20th, as the giants and cardinals pay tribute to the leagues at willie's first professional stop, birmingham's rickwood field. merchandise is already a big hit at oracle. even the bobbleheads and another hall of famer can't wait to call the game willie mays, started there. >> and you know, we're used to the willie mays big league saga, t

i just caught willie mays fly ball. i called my brother when i went home after we lost, but i called him. i said i played against willie mays today. there was nothing on the field that willie mays couldn't do. he can take up the whole field and play the whole field and you're like, really? willie and willie would do it, you know? so that was a gift i didn't have. mays became a star for the new york giants, leading the team to the 1954 world series championship when the giants moved west here to san francisco in 1958, the city immediately fell in love with the say, hey, kid, it's been a really, i guess, good run for me , because when you can come into a town and people love you the same way where you came from, to me, that's wonderful. i think it's just a magnificent type of way of getting along with people . mays tried bringing the bay area its first world series title back in 1962, only to fall short, losing that agonizing game seven to the yankees. it's a shame we just never had a chance to win something more for you.

willie mays could not do better than any by the bills. >> willie mays passing away at the age of 93. the bay-area remembers the greatest player to ever where a giant uniform. >> from the area's local news station. you're watching the kron. 4 morning news at 6. >> joining this morning, i'm darya and james, we're going to have a lot of coverage today on the life and legacy of willie mays coming up here in just greatest of all time. and we will do that. we're also looking at the weather and traffic for you. >> on this juneteenth, a lot of people have the day off. that's right, carol holiday get that forecast. good morning, john. yeah means it's probably feel calmer out there today. nice for the middle of the week. also nice for your last day of spring to be getting a break from the heat today. we are going to be seeing daytime highs. the very coolest that they're going to be this forecast. let's get a look outside at that sunrise this morning from mount tam, a little bit of low gray sweeping in from the coastline that cool coastal air came through, really swept up a lot of that haze yes

and this is the first time in 93 years that the world does not have willie mays. let me show you a picture of mister mays actually met him 6 years ago at a giants home opener. we cross paths. and then he i just saw you on tv. i almost passed out. i couldn't believe that willie mays, new me and then a year later we met a special event for the giants and we kind of had a few laughs. he talked about my hometown of seattle before the event started. very special to me. very special to the world. not often does an athlete when they pass away that the world reacts. president obama, billy crystal, who is a huge baseball fan. he reacted. there are people who are legends of the game and then there is royalty. willie mays was royalty. his numbers. jason dumas did a great story about him. but some of the other numbers include rookie of the year in 1954. he was mvp of the league and 54 as well as in 1965. he was a 12 time gold glove winner and it is start local gold gloves until 1957, 5 years into his career. he finished in the top 2, 6, times in the mvp race 12 times as the to

, and willie mays said, sure.nd brought them all into his box. and it was the two willie's that hosted all of them. he even brought baseballs and signed those baseballs for everyone. he was certainly a class act in every way as well. >> great way to say that class act indeed jr thank you. >> and back to mays home state of alabama, where fans learned of his death at the field where he was due to be honored this week. fans who took in tonight's double a game were stunned to learn of his passing to hear this, prayers and thoughts to willie mays family. >> yeah >> it's kind of overwhelming right now. and we're just getting up to go home to atlanta and we hear, well, no, i said no. he's still wow. it's overwhelming. it really is >> part of the tribute to mays will be this new, massive mural paying tribute to birmingham's hometown hero. you can see the say, hey kid wearing his original uniform in it. >> so powerful to hear the fans there tonight talking about him. our coverage of willie mays life and legacy continues ah

willie mays i know. so she was a fan of willie mays and she knew her willie mays. anybody else know willie mays? yes. yeah. >> even the most casual fans know willie mays. all right, jesse gary live at willie mays plaza outside oracle park in the city. jesse, thank you for that. all right. joining us now to talk more about willie mays life and his legacy and his significance to the city of san francisco. sports broadcaster damon bruce. damon, thank you for joining us this afternoon. you hear from all those giants fans? i mean, this this really felt like a personal loss for so many people. i want to get your thoughts here. you had the opportunity to chat with willie mays, have conversations with him on occasions over the years here. what was it like for you to sit across from, from such a larger than life figure? >> well, alex, heather, thanks for having me on. and yeah, the first time i ever sat down and had a cup of coffee with willie mays, it's about the fastest i've ever ran out of a cup of coffee to call my father, to tell him that i just had that, you know? i m

willie mays!at the plate ♪ say hey. ♪ happy birthday, dear willie, happy birthday to you. we love you, willie. happy birthday. >> russian president vladimir putin is in north korea for the first time in 24 years, his meeting with kim jong un amid mounting international concern about the military cooperation between the two countries. >> american and south korean officials have, of course, accused pyongyang of providing

at 24, willie mays plaza, a place willie mays also created.ories with those around him and with fans. i never watched him play one game in his life. i watched highlights, but what he means to the giants has affected me since i was their age, and i want that same effect to affect her. and we talked to a few families who said the same thing. the influence willie mays had on baseball. they plan on sharing those stories to the next generation. that first pitch tomorrow is at 4:15 p.m. at oracle park. i'm jocelyn moran, nbc, bay area news. jocelyn, thank you. well said. and well done. baseball is a game of generations passed down from one generation to the next. tonight in birmingham, a juneteenth celebration with a lot of familiar faces. the celebrity softball game. barry bonds was there. he shared these photos on his instagram feed. bonds derek jeter, alex rodriguez among the retired stars and another bay area baseball legend. former yankees pitcher cc sabathia, who grew up in vallejo. you know, i was here at the at the ballpark yesterday when i

honor the legend that willie mays is wednesday. >> people filed in to remark on mays greatness on and off the field. >> you always hear about willie. you see him in the see everything he's done in the parks, like you see the statue every time you pass by the gates. and so it's just been a huge part of it. >> he's all over the park, 24, 24, 24. he's all over the place. >> that statue now a shrine to a man who started his life in a segregated society and at his end, a multicultural outpouring of love for his legacy. literally carved in stone and cemented in the record books. >> all the challenges that he had to go through for us to, you know, be able to play for us to vote. it's we've lost a giant. we really lost a giant. not just a ballplayer giant, but like a giant in history. and we owe so much to him for the rest of time. >> videos will show mays greatness, and stories will share his impact. but the hearts of those who loved, knew, or followed him. that's where the impact of willie howard mays will live forever. >> people like him live forever. he's in our hearts. he's part of giant

, and willie mays said, sure. and brought them all into his box. and it was the two willie's that hosted all of them. he even brought baseballs and signed those baseballs for everyone. he was certainly a class act in every way as well. >> great way to say that class act indeed jr thank you. >> and back to mays home state of alabama, where fans learned of his death at the field where he was due to be honored this week. fans who took in tonight's double a game were stunned to learn of his passing to hear this, prayers and thoughts to willie mays family. >> yeah >> it's kind of overwhelming right now. and we're just getting up to go home to atlanta and we hear, well, no, i said no. he's still wow. it's overwhelming. it really is >> part of the tribute to mays will be this new, massive mural paying tribute to birmingham's hometown hero. you can see the say, hey kid wearing his original uniform in it. >> so powerful to hear the fans there tonight talking about him. our coverage of willie mays life and legacy continues

head to his hometown and honor a great willie mays. we have to say goodbye. ide here for a moment and come back. and the ballgame will continue. and obviously, we're going to talk a lot more about willie tonight over the next many, many days. i hate to be the one to have to pass that news along, but willie mays today has died at the age of 93. dave flemming, very poised and professional with the way he handled that. now, one of the final memories giants fans have of mays came on a big day for his godson, barry bonds. bonds number was retired by the giants back in 2018, and willie insisted on getting up to the podium and making this plea to get bonds into the hall of fame. on behalf of all the people in san francisco and all over the country. both this guy in he is very, very important for me. thank you very much. okay really cared about his godson. well, a lot of people think of willie mays. they think of the catch, which was his most iconic moment. it happened in game one of the 1954 world series against the heavily favored cleveland indians. there's a long d

willie mays was the guy.ught baseball, you thought willie mays, and if you were fortunate enough to grow up in northern california as i was and you'd see him every now and then on tv back in those days, not every game was televised like it is today, so it was a real treat. if the giants were on tv on the game of the week or something like that, or i live geographically close enough that you could get the candlestick once or twice a year, and you're always hoping that you were there one day when willie mays would hit a home run. i mean, he was just the guy that everybody wanted to be. if you were a baseball player or a baseball fan, which i was both, and he was just the epitome of baseball. >> so joe, in our obituary story that tom rinaldi filed for fox, he says something to the effect of before everyone wanted to be like mike, referring to michael jordan. the generation you spoke of wanted to be like willie mays . so we haven't had a player like that very often. maybe there are some players like that now, but

i know you have a willie mays stories. what's your favorite? >> well, you know, it actually took place at the whole thing. when we were we were at the hall of fame and willie was sitting with. bob gibson and sandy colfax and their bunch of hall of and well, he was talking about the first time that he faced gibson. and he was saying that, you know, he was young and bob was was a veteran or had been in the league and heat step to home plate he said he really was bin attention was just trying to do his ritual, which was to to dig that back foot in and make sure he got a toe back during the batters box. he said many stuck his head up and he saw that it was bob gibson out there. he said he immediately got on his knees to cover. that holds up. and that was one of the funniest stories that i've ever you from from a willie in regards to >> he's come his combat a position with the bob gibson. >> almost universally thought of as the best player to ever play the game. and it's hard to think of other people in all of sports where that's the case. and you th

no of willie mays. and when they think of willie mays usually brings a smile to their face. >> going read it. read a line from his son, michael mays. he said tonight passed away peacefully among loved ones talking to fans who said i want to thank you from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love. you have shown him over the people really did love him. stay >> no question. and you know, let's be honest. when he got to francisco, there was a story one of original house is he wanted to buy in the 58. 59 somewhere in there that that. there was a covenant prevent a black man from getting the house. and then the remember exactly what happened. did get the house. he became a beloved figure in the neighborhood and there was talk to that. you know, san francisco was the home of joe dimaggio's. and that when made came, there was some resentment because he wasn't joking. maggio and the giants in 58 their first year had a rookie of the year in orlando. cepeda. it 59 had a rookie of the year and willing

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willie mays was already a superstar. when the giants moved to san francisco from new york in 1958. but even before he was a giant mays played 3 seasons in the leagues helping lead the birmingham black barons to the minute in 1948. after the giants beat out multiple teams to sign him. the say hey, kid was brought up midway through the 1951 season. his debut was in auspices as he started his major league for 12. but on his 13th, that bad made hit a home run off. future hall of famer warren spahn and the rest is history. mays was a major contributor and the giants historic run to catch the dodgers in the 1951 national league pennant race winning the league's rookie of the year award in the deciding playoff game. mays was on deck when bobby thompson, shot heard around the world to take dependent and propel the giants into the world >> i didn't understand what was happening until everybody started jumping up and down. we want kind you can harris hodges on the loud speaker saying that has won shot hit. don't with the bad home plate. >> they lost to the yankees in 6 games. >> after missing

willie mays. >> passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. please join us in a moment of silence as we remember willie mae. >> and there you can see major league baseball honoring willie mays and a game last night. the former giants and hall of famer, as we just said, passed with the age of 93 and kron four's sports director jason dumas has more now on his legacy. >> considered perhaps the greatest player to ever play the game. willie mays was already a superstar. when the giants moved to san francisco from new york in 1958. but even before he was a giant mays played 3 seasons in the leagues helping lead the birmingham black barons, the planet in 1948. after the giants beat out multiple teams to sign him. the say hey, kid was brought up midway through the 1951 season. his debut was in auspices as he started his major league for 12. but on his 13th, that bad made hit a home run off. future hall of famer warren spahn and the rest is history. mays was a major contributor and the giants h

willie mays. you can see there's a fan on the other side. he stopping by. he's wearing. he's had as well and they're taking pictures and a lot of them are just at the very least having a quiet moment between themselves and willie mays. obviously, this is so iconic as far as the san francisco giants right in front of the ballpark. so many people before games, stop by and take a picture with the statue and none more so then today, obviously because we all are remembering not a legend. royalty, baseball royalty. willie howard mayes junior and i remember and very well as well because i met him a couple of times and but in 2018 ran again in 2019 e made my knees buckle when he said that he stopped me before a game. this giants home opener in 2018 and said, hey, i want you on television this morning. couldn't couldn't even believe that he knew who i was. and that's how special willie mays was that he remember people that smile will forever be remembered. a lot of people obviously remembering the player, b

and willie mays. we'll be right in chapter one. so that is the you know, that somebody who is a heavyweight in our country. yeah, i was just looking at some of the zillions quotes praise coming in. >> including of years ago, i'm not even sure she was a baseball fan, but a famous actress name to little bank head. so there have been only 2 authentic geniuses in the world. willie mays and william shakespeare. so it's wasn't diehard baseball fans, jason. i mean, people knew my loved him. they respected him as a just a genius. so what he did? yeah, there's just there's athletes who come around who buy by the time, you know, their their their life are playing career is over. >> they're not just known as athletes and he's one of those guys. he just he transcends sports and that's really hard to do. you know, one, you know, heart is just as hard i don't know how other way to put it in. he did it. he did it with grace, humility. and a spirit that just kind of refused to break regardless of some of the things h

this is the area where willie mays grew up. the giants will play the saint louis cardinals in birmingham tomorrow night at the same ballpark where mays started his professional career in the leagues. tomorrow's game was planned more than a year ago. it will now take on a whole new meaning a celebration of mays life and legacy, rickwood field is the oldest ballpark in the country built in 1910, willie mays played there for the birmingham black barons in the late 1940s before ultimately joining the new york giants, and today a mural was unveiled in downtown birmingham. take a look at that. it's beautiful. to celebrate the say hey kid giants ceo larry baer was there. he told the crowd that getting to know willie as a friend was one of the great joys of his life. he was so excited about all of us coming to rickwood and in many ways, it happened. for him, this was the full circle moment tonight in birmingham, a celebrity softball game in honor of juneteenth. the fans and even other baseball stars thinking about willie. that includes

number 600 for willie mays. >> reporter: to say willie mays was a great baseball player is an understatementu cannot mention the five greatest players of all time without bringing him in the discussion. born in 1931, the son of a steel mill worker, mays learned the game at an early age and although his alabama high school had no baseball team, it was clear that sport would define him. at 16 he was playing for the birmingham black barons of the negro leagues and the day after the graduated from high school, he signed with the new york giants and by age 20, was in the majors playing games at the polo grounds. that was 1951. his career was briefly put on hold for two years because of military service. but 1954, he was back in a baseball uniform doing what he did best. >> way back, back, it is -- caught. >> reporter: his over the shoulder catch in the '54 world series win over cleveland is still considered be many to bethe greatest catch in the mystery of the game. >> i think i have got you. [ laughter ] did you hit your 31st home run today and do you play center field? are you say hey willie ma

went to opening day, the first giants game ever, steel stadium in 58, and got to see willie mays play. >> and i lost my dad almost two years ago. sorry i brought flowers for, for willie, but for my dad to. >> we walked with eileen beason as she searched for her family's brick, one that she bought for her dad on father's day. when the ballpark opened, and one that she intentionally got near the willie mays statue. >> it says loyal from game one. when i heard the news yesterday, the first thing that came to my mind was my dad gets to meet willie mays in heaven. >> so yeah, you know, he means a lot. not just to the baseball community, but, yeah, the minority community as well. >> i think that he is one of the, i'd say, the greatest sports athlete ever. i think he transcends baseball. he transcends sports. he meant so much to black people in this country, a thought echoed by san francisco chronicle sports columnist scott ostler. >> there were still people skeptical, you know, and we're not sure if we want black people in the game, you know, and willie helped break down a lot of that retic

. >> the great willie mays.on x, showing the moment that the death of willie mays was announced. mays hall of fame career began at the age of 16 there at rickwood field. his death comes two days before tomorrow's game. at that field between the giants and the saint louis cardinals. ktvu you talked to gerald watkins, the chairman and executive director of friends of rickwood. he says this year's classic game will be a sad day as the community pays tribute to the life and legacy of willie mays. >> i think that as people come in and see that picture and mlb is bringing his hall of fame plaque here that was planned before he passed. i think there's going to be a lot of tears shed in birmingham and across the country, and rickwood field will never be the same now that willie has passed. i mean, it had to happen eventually, but his memory will will be on the minds of everyone who comes through here, even more than it ever was. >> it's definitely going to be a game. you don't want to miss. as the baseball community gat

number 24 willie mays.an feel it in the crowds, and everybody was touched by that, a chance to remember him. and i hope that his family feels honored by that. it was not difficult to find fans anxious to talk about the man. many say is the greatest of all time. i can remember being in candlestick park, out in the bleachers, trying to get in the scrum for a home run ball from willie. it was it was madness. cubs fan remembering what her mother told her growing up in chicago about the great willie mays, she said tell me how when willie mays played all the ladies used to sit in the house and sit around the tv and the world stopped when baseball came on. on the field tonight, in honor of number 24, every giants player wore that number. this man sported the shirt he made last week with willie mays on the front, and a picture of a willie mays autographed baseball on the back. the way he played was such great style, confidence, power, speed. he did everything. he was just the greatest. also in the stands, watching

. >>> we leave you with a tribute from the great willie mays. >> willy connects and hammers it. >> reporter: a hit heard around the world, a chanting cheer that united the world. when it came to baseball, no one could amaze like willie mays. >> willie's incredible play. >> reporter: he changed the game with a catch so clean transforming every park and every seat. his talent broke barriers around culture and race. his swing was fueled by both power and grace. when it came to baseball, no one could amaze like willie mays. from new york city to the city by the bay, his unforgettable 660 home runs could always make your day. a 24-time all-star, he set the bar for both excellence and esteem, empowering a whole generation to dream because when it came to baseball, no one could amaze like willie mays. for a baseball league, his impact was major earning every bet and wager earning the right of an eternal hall of famer, an influence so giant, benevolently defiant. with his life he brought america's pastime to life. endless smiles and joyful tears, we will never forget his 93 years becaus

great willie mays. and as you can see here behind me, well, the giants are playing an away game today. they were definitely playing with the energy of a home field advantage. >> well, maze was elected to the baseball hall of fame in his first year of eligibility. back in 1979, cooperstown, remembering maze for his infectious enthusiasm for baseball and his ability to capture the hearts of fans. the president of the baseball hall of fame says that maze is always one of the most sought out players for visitors. he was truly beloved here in cooperstown in been a few years since he's able to come back obviously had some health issues in recent years that that preclude him from coming back here. but we still heard from him regularly. >> holiday cards and we know how much he meant to the people that come to cooperstown. i mean, when people are walking into the blackout, they're going around the museum. but they are talking about willie mays and truly one the greatest players ever to play the game and they wan

we're all in birmingham this week to celebrate the leagues, to celebrate willie mays. and two days before the rickwood game, he said, thank you >> and john goes on to say that he'll never forget the time mays confided in him, sharing the terrible racism he endured while playing for the trenton giants and being the only black player in the league. mays told shea the abuse was so bad that he wasn't sure he wanted to keep playing. former giants first baseman will clark shared this picture tonight. great shot. it's him standing in between willie mays and willie mccovey at candlestick park earlier in the day, will the thrill posted his condolences with a picture of him sitting next to mays in the dugout. now, this afternoon on our 3:00 pm, getting answers program, another former giants first baseman, j.t. snow, shared some of his memories about the say hey, kid. the one thing i always remember about willie is he always wore a hat everywhere he went. >> when he went to the white house uh- parades, and it always had the g on it. he would never wear an sf hat or a new york hat.

in alabama today, a standing ovation and applause for baseball legend willie mays as his son michael s godson barry bonds and hall of famer ken griffey jr stood on rickwood field. it was just one of many special and emotional moments his hall of fame plaque at the place where he started his professional career. it's a reminder of his life, legacy and resilience. it was a life he shared with former teammates like 99 year old bill greason, who threw out the first pitch. several other players who played in the leagues were there, too, for a game that also paid tribute to them at the polo grounds. the giants and cardinals took the field in throwback uniforms. eliot ramos was in center field, the position willie mays played in the top of the third. ramos hit a three run homer. it's not a secret to everybody that willie was one of the greats, you know what i mean? so it's a privilege , it's an honor, and i hope his family liked it back at oracle park, fans got the chance to sign condolence books and watch the rickwood field game on the big screen. it was kind of like a sentimental feeling f

there was nobody better on planet earth as a person than willie mays, mays longtime friend read a letter the 'say hey kid' recently wrote. willie wanted to have it read at the ceremony, knowing he wouldn't make it to the game, but not knowing these would be some of his last words. i wish i could be with you all today. this is where i'm from. i had my first pro hit here at rickwood as a black baron, and now this year, some 76 years later, that hit finally got counted in the record books. i guess some things take time, but i always think better late than never. time changes things. time heals wounds and that's a good thing. tomorrow the giants will play on the field where willie mays legendary career began. a chance to honor the greatest giant of all time. and a place he'll always be remembered. ian cull, nbc, bay area news special game. for sure. that's a powerful letter. absolutely. our coverage of willie mays continues on all of our newscasts and our streaming channels as well. you can also visit our website, nbcbayarea.com. just click on the willie mays tab at the top of our home page.

we will continue now to honor the legacy of san frcisco ants legend willie mays. the baseball great died yesterday at the age of 93 mays was born in westfield, alabama. he played his first professional baseball game th the birmingham black barons of the leagues when he was 17 years old, may's help lead the parents to the 1948 world series in 1951. a sign. but the new york giants and made his major league debut. he ayed with the team when they moved to san francisco 7 years later in 1972, he went to play for the new york mets where he retired a year later may says known as one of the greatest ballplayers basball history. he was nicknamed the say, hey, kid and mays was known for his joyous spirit when playing the game and off the field. he was drafted into the army during the korean war. he was also awarded the presidential medal of freedom by barack obama in 2015. and let's take a look now at some of his accomplishments. mays was a 24 time all-star. he helped lead the new york giants to a world championship in 1954. he's a two-time mvp, won rookie of the year in 195

tribute is pouring in today for the say, hey, kid, willie mays, as we remember willie mays. >> we wills a friend of many. >> there was nothing that willie could not do in this game. >> he was one of those guys that was just bigger than life. >> remembering the great willie mays, who passed away yesterday at age 93. good afternoon. thanks for joining us. i'm larry beil and i'm kristen sze. >> we begin our coverage today with abc seven news reporter j.r. stone jr. >> larry. kristen i've talked with so many fans outside of oracle park in the last two days that are truly broken up about the passing of willie mays. mays had a special connection to people, some of whom he met over the years, and others who were just honored to have witnessed him play baseball. tears from diehard willie mays fans who came out to oracle park to remember the say, hey kid, my dad went to opening day, the first

this is now turned in to a celebration of the life and legacy of willie mays. away on tuesday, i got the chance to catch up with his son, michael mays, about what mays means to him and what this game would have meant to his dad. what have the past few days been like for you? this has been epic from the beginning, you know? and, we've all been talking about how this is the real life field of dreams. it's not just another event. this is important in so many ways. and, i just think my dad, understanding the gravity of it, just pulled the power move of all power moves. so, let it be known he is in the building. how would you like for people to have his legacy live on? and to remember willie mays straight joy like he brought them to be happy. this is a joyous occasion. like there's nothing to be down about. no crying in baseball. you don't have a happy, happy day here. and remember like that. and maybe that speaks to our times, our society. you know, maybe it's time to, you know, let go of this hate and get happy and be joyous. and what, what better place to set that

as long as there's san francisco giants baseball, there's going to be a willie mays. he's just too much of a part of how we became who we are. that may be the house that barry built, but it's on the foundation of willie mays, by the way. >> there's also a watch party at oracle park today for that rickwood classic willie mays statue will be displayed in center field, and fans can also sign a memorial book. the park opens today at noon time. since the news of his death, fans have been gathering at oracle park and in particular at the willie mays statue at the front entrance. people have been leaving flowers and taking photographs. ktvu betty yu spoke to fans opening up about what the say hey kid meant to them. >> the great power and reach of willie mays could be measured by the heartfelt tributes at the foot of his statue. mays loved the game and generations of fans loved the say hey kid, 1951, baseball card for willie mays, his rookie card. burlingame resident carlos ortega had this t-shirt made, he says. mays exemplified the five essential tools of a superstar player t

as long as there's giants baseball, there's going to be a willie mays. just too much of a part of how we became who we are. and that may be the house that barry built. but it's on the foundation of willie mays. >> well, as mentioned, there will be a watch party tomorrow at oracle park for the rickwood classic, a willie mays statue will be on display in center field, and a memorial book will be there for fans to sign. >> and tonight, the san francisco giants and saint louis cardinals are in birmingham, alabama. tomorrow. these two teams will play a regular season game at the historic rickwood field, the same field where the great willie mays played at 75 years ago. as ktvu. greg lee reports from birmingham. the say hey kid will be on the minds of many come first pitch the day after baseball icon willie mays passed. >> love for the say hey kid and the spirit of the giants legend filling the grounds of historic rickwood field to be able to be down here and celebrate him. >> you know, this was planned anyway. but, you know, in the wake of his passing to be h

the willie mays statue, 24 willie mays plaza, to be exact.and as you can see, they got the flowers out. large crowd out there tonight. just looking at it, remembering willie mays, remembering how he made them feel as a player. some of them weren't around when he was in his playing days, but years later, as an ambassador to baseball for the giants, he was fantastic. we talked to some of the fans and here's what they said about remembering willie mays. so i grew up watching willie mays, willie mccovey back in the candlestick days. so it's real nice to come out here and just support, you know, having rest in peace and move forward from there. well, he was the greatest, you know, we've been a fan since the giants came, came to came, you know, san francisco and in 58 and he was the man and was for many, many, many years. and i'm lucky enough to say i remember some at 1958 when my dad took me out to seals stadium in 59 and then 60, they got to candlestick park. what a special player willie mays was. he got my dad excited and my dad was not an excit

and more tributes flooding in for the late, great willie mays. what's in store for today's big giants game at rickwood field in alabama, the place where willie started his baseball career from ktvu, fox two news. >> this is mornings on two. >> happy first day of summer and welcome back to mornings on two. i'm frank mallicoat. >> good morning i'm pam cook. it is thursday june 20th. frank and i are here steve paulson is here. first day of summer. so it's our longest day of the year. >> i think tomorrow is oh, tomorrow officially the 21st. tomorrow is because that's the first full day of summer. and it's also full moon, right? it's pretty bright out there is tomorrow. that is the straw. don't you get bummed out though, because the days get shorter now, don't they? on this shift? no. >> it is hard to sleep when it's time of year. >> very sunny to get a half hour's sleep. good point by you. brutal all right, santa rosa, san jose, santa cruz, even livermore with fog. so that's a pretty good fog bank that's in place. tough to warm up when there's that mu

let's look back at the life of the incredible willie mays. >> they say willie, say hey, say woo! swing it at the plate. say hey, say who? say willie said giant kid is great. >> willie mays has been called the greatest all around baseball player that ever lived. when it came to hitting for average hitting for power base, running, throwing and fielding. the say hey kid was the ultimate five tool player. born may the 6th, 1931, in westfield, alabama, mays excelled at an early age. at only 14, he was playing semi-pro baseball with his father while still in high school. his professional career began in the leagues with the birmingham black barons. the boston braves and brooklyn dodgers were both interested, but it was the new york giants who signed mays to a major league contract that i really didn't care who signed me. >> i wanted to get out of uh- this mouth and not not because of any racial thing there is, because i wanted to go and maybe help my family to make a money. and i did. >> four years after jackie robinson broke the color barrier, mays became the 10th african-american pla