well, right there he is, the giants. jt. we're also going to be joined right now by former san francisco mayor willie brown. mayor brown, nice to have you on the program. even in these circumstances, what stands out to you or would jt snow here as well? what stands out to you? and there's probably so many memories you have with willie mays. but right now, what's coming to your mind? well, first and foremost, i never thought willie mays would die. i thought when the world and the lord gave somebody the kind of talent he had, it was for forever. and when i heard just a half an hour ago that willie mays had passed on, i. it really very sad for me. i was actually at dinner, i interrupted it because i just couldn't force myself to take one more bite. the memories of this incredible human being. mayor brown, what is it? what did he do to bridge the generations? because someone like me, i never even saw him play. jt saw him when he was a little boy, but someone but he still resonated with younger people. what's that magic that he ha

number 24, the giants ballpark, 24 willie mays plaza. with the mays statue and the city of san francisco also celebrates willie mays day, may 24th. again number 24 is the number we will be seeing and hearing a lot about here in the coming days. >> yeah, a lot of people think of him and as the greatest player, a hall of famer, a giants legend. i wonder if you could ask willie mays who he looked to, who are some of his favorite players? who would he say? i mean, i would be so curious to know that, but probably some of his teammates, you know, willie mccovey and some of the players that he played with on the giants, i would imagine, well, i know who he played with, would want to play with. >> yeah. >> highest bat. well, we at one time. >> at one time. >> yeah. >> let's take a moment. now we do have more on the life and legacy of willie mays from fox news tom rinaldi. let's take a look at this. >> willie mays, the all around star of the san francisco giants. >> that was him. we could watch and cheer and marvel, but mostly we felt willie mays.

the giants just sent this out on social media. at 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 considered one of the greatest players who ever lived. you could make the argument he might have been the best ever, most athletic, played with the giants in new york, san francisco and finished his career with the new york mets. just a sad day in baseball. we lost one of the best. >> yeah, willie mays will forever be remembered as the greatest giant who ever played a man who transcended the sport, played with a passion and joy unmatched in history, and inspired generations of players for years to come. sad day in baseball today. all right, jason , thank you. >> more coverage of willie mays right now. next at 11, the greatest player who ever lived and a hero to the community. >> he means a lot to everybody here in a lot of ways. and, kind of miss him tonight. >> the bay area in mourning and honoring the li

the giants won the pennant. >> the giants with the pennant in 1952. >> mays career was put on hold for almost two full seasons after he was drafted into the army during the korean war conflict, many believe mays would have hit 700 plus home runs if not for that layoff, when mays returned to action in 1954, he hit 345 with 41 homers and won the national league mvp award in a four nothing world series sweep of the cleveland indians. he made arguably the most famous catch in baseball history on vic wertz way back. back in his oh man 1957 season, the giants relocated to san francisco. it was as a san francisco giant that mays would have his most memorable offensive display, a four home run game against the milwaukee braves in 1961. willie's stats are second to none in his 22 year career. he batted 302 while collecting 3283 hits. he won 12 gold gloves in consecutive years, was a two time national league mvp and 24 time all-star. in 1972, mays was traded to the new york mets. he would retire at the end of the 73 season. >> it's difficult right now to even, try to explain to you how much i lo

the giants were in new york and the yankees were there. and we would just argue with each before going to class. so i was one of the luckiest people in the into the bay area work for the a's was out a number of different events with willie just the most outgoing. if you serve happy, save a guy that you could ever imagine. thinking of this day when i just heard the news recently, 93 years old, the giants are playing baseball. the game at rickwood field in major league baseball celebrating the leagues and what really has meant not just to the game, but everything else that he stood he had an inner engine that was incredible. >> andy, it having seen him play. describe what it was like. i assume this what, you know, his his prime and in the 50's and the 60's. >> for people who we're lucky enough. what was he like as as just a player? >> i always in the current day you have. we're so lucky to have steph curry in our market right? steph curry plays with an incredible sense of joy. but that sense of joy and enthusiasm and happiness was willie may

the shock is still sinking in for the giants and their fans. ave learned hall of fame legend orlando cepeda has passed away at the age of 86. news broke during tonight's game at oracle park. it's just pains me to have to pass along more. really sad news. what a tough time it is for our giants tonight. we have lost our friend orlando cepeda. ian. audrey, as you know, first it was willie mays. orlando cepeda, the power hitting first baseman, was known as chacha. and the baby bull. and he was inducted into the baseball hall of fame after 17 years in the major leagues. we'll take you to oracle park, where the team and fans are already paying tribute to cepeda tonight. but first, nbc bay area's raj mathai takes a look back at his career. a fly ball hit to deep right, barely going back. orlando cepeda was a force. he lit up the field with his skill and lit up the community with his personality. the only thing stoic about cepeda is his statue outside of the ballpark. we sat down with him, recalling his legacy in san francisco. you know, i was so blesse

then to the new york giants. then he was the one that helped the giants come here to the bay area in the late 1950s. and there's that iconic shot of him going down market street when the giants were coming to town and there's willie mays back in the 1950s, late 50s when the giants came to town. and then he stayed in the bay area you know, most athletes, they come here, they go back to their respective homes and states, not willie mays. but the bay area became his home. yeah, it really is. here he is a while ago, talking about being home in the bay area 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. it's a shame we just never had a chance to win something more for you. since i was playing, 1962 was a good year. a lot of tweets now around. i mean, on social media from presidents, as you talked about the biden-harris campaign to politicians to other hall of fame athletes. here's the

cost the giants much. >> i think it was about 15,000 involved. i thank the ball club, got five and i think i got ten, either maybe five. i know we bought a house. i bought a 1950 mercury. i couldn't drive, but i bought it anyway. so all the neighborhood people could drive it around. so i think it was more of 5 or 6 around there, but that was a lot of money in those days. you know, the car that i bought cost $2,000. so the house i paid off cost me another, you know, one. so i was okay with the money. >> the year was 1950, one year later with the giants, mays would be named national league rookie of the year and his hall of fame career was off and running. but it all started at rickwood field, home of the birmingham black barons and the birthplace of willie mays. baseball career. jason appelbaum ktvu fox two sports okay. >> and i'm here with jason now. and really, what is a quite remarkable evening? i mean, this passing of this baseball icon, obviously thursday's game there at rickwood field going to take on a different meaning, different significan

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, his shot, heard around the world to take dependent and propel the giants into the world series. >> i didn't understand what was happening until everybody started jumping up and down. we want to kind you can harris hodges on the loud speaker saying that as one of big hit don't with the bad home plate. >> they lost to the yankees in 6 games. >> after missing part of the 52 and all of the 53 season to serve in the army during the korean war where he was taught his famous basket catch by fellow service men may's return to the

love being around the giants. and he would just light up. lking into the ballpark. >> these past two weeks have been tough for giants fans. we lost another giants legend and fellow hall of famer last week at 93 years old. matt lively joining me in studio now with a look at orlando cepeda's life and legacy. >> reporter: yeah, along with mays, orlando cepeda was another future hall of famer when the giants arrived in san francisco from new york. for more on the life of the baby bull, here is vern glenn. >> i play with the great willie mays, which i learned so much from him and with the great hank aaron, the best teammate, a great friend. i played with bob gibson. >> reporter: the giants moved to san francisco in 1958, and willie mays was the headliner. but it was the 20-year-old puerto rican that took the city by storm. orlando cepeda won rookie of the year in 1958, hitting 96 rbis. he could not only hit home runs, but he could play the conga drums, dance to the cha chas, and played with the giants in 1962 and on deck when willie mccovey was at

but the giants are playing right now. but on thursday, there will be in alabama and obviously willie mays is one of the main reasons why that game is so significant. so it is going to be a very emotional day. i'm sure in alabama, but of course, is going to be an emotional day over the next couple of days, especially for that san francisco giants franchise in, you know, soon as that game is over, i'm sure that will be the first question that bob melvin giants manager is asked remember, bob melvin is a bay area native himself. he was a major league player, obviously, he managed the oakland a's as well. and now he's with the giants. so he's going to have some very unique insight. when we hear from bob melvin. once game wraps up in chicago. all right. well, jason, appreciate your perspectives and thoughts and we'll be back to you. >> later in this hour. but now we want to go to san francisco chronicle, sports columnist scott ostler who is live with us on the phone. scott. no one better really to give perspective on the passing

i know the giants were in chicago. they took on the cubs at a matinee today.ny idea regarding the timeline? do you think the players may even come down tonight and watch some of the celebrity softball game and just take it in? >> yeah. mike, i have to tell you. and part of that, we're not exactly clear when the giants are getting to town. it is often a getaway day that they would make this trip to birmingham to be here. but we should say this is not just about this game. we have been hearing about and will be attending a number of community events where players from the giants, players from the cardinals, members of the organization are out in the local community giving back. they're going to a boys and girls club tomorrow. today they unveiled a mural of willie mays in downtown birmingham, and that was planned well before mays death. but you can imagine the emotions when they unveiled this massive mural featuring willie mays here in birmingham to honor his life here, because he grew up just a short ways away from this park. mike. >> there you go, greg lee, liv

at oracle park right now, the home of the giants. leaving flowers and cards for the say, hey, kid who passed away yesterday at the age of 93. and it was an emotional day for a lot of people. once they did hear the news, but it was especially tough for giants broadcaster dave fleming. here's the moment he passed the news on to giants fans everywhere on the giants flagship radio station, knbr. but we found out, just a little while ago, and the giants have now made an announcement. here's a ground ball to second. estrada throws out pete crow-armstrong, the all time greatest giant. number 24, willie mays has passed away today at the age of 93. and right as we get ready to. head to his hometown and honor a great willie mays. we have to say goodbye. so we'll step aside 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 flem

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 war in the deciding playoff game. mays was on deck 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 to kind you can harris hodges on the loud speaker saying that as one that out hit, don't with the bad home plate. >> they lost to the yankees in 6 games. >> after missing part of the 52 and all of the 53 season to serve in the army during the korean war where he was taught his famous basket catch by fellow service men may's return to the giants. and 54 w

the giants won the pennant. >> the giants with the pennant in 1952. >> mays career was put on hold forlmost two full seasons after he was drafted into the army during the korean war conflict, many believe mays would have hit 700 plus home runs if not for that layoff, when mays returned to action in 1954, he hit 345 with 41 homers and won the national league mvp award in a four nothing world series sweep of the cleveland indians. he made arguably the most famous catch in baseball history on vic wertz way back. back in his oh man 1957 season, the giants relocated to san francisco. it was as a san francisco giant that mays would have his most memorable offensive display, a four home run game against the milwaukee braves in 1961. willie's stats are second to none in his 22 year career. he batted 302 while collecting 3283 hits. he won 12 gold gloves in consecutive years, was a two time national league mvp and 24 time all-star. in 1972, mays was traded to the new york mets. he would retire at the end of the 73 season. >> it's difficult right now to even, try to explain to you how much i love

the giants versus the dodgers. and while oracle park was packed, something was missing. >> hot dog vendors. the vendor say they've been forced out of selling out right in front of the park. kron four's check moment explains. >> it's a california staple. the here in the bay area. what's known as dirty dog is a common way of life. for many people join sports games or the nightlife. but now here at oracle park, if you want to find yourself dirty dog. >> have to go across the street only working its vendor tells us the hot dog cart business is not doing too well. what is known running and they run cities if they got crack down on hot dog carts, pushing them further from the park and also high grocery costs, having them charge up to $10 now a dog. >> it used to be just $5, not good money. no, no. the morning. now the san francisco department of public health says it didn't put up the sides tell that there is to sell, but they are working with the task force to crack down on selling food without a permit. the agency says

then he was picked up by the new york giants. d in the army from 52 to 54 before rejoining the giants in 2015, he was awarded the presidential medal of freedom from president barack obama for his pivotal role during the civil rights movement. >> and the president obama sharing his condolences and he's saying in part, willie mays wasn't just a singular athlete, blessed with an unmatched combination of grayscale in power. he was also a wonderfully warm and generous person. and inspiration to an entire generation. president obama awarded willie mays with the presidential medal of freedom in 2015. >> the daughter of doctor martin luther king junior bernice king also expressed her condolences by sharing a picture of doctor king and willie mays meeting back in 1963, during the height of the civil rights movement. willie mays, along with jackie robinson leading athletes during that era. breaking the color barrier for so many generations of athletes to come. >> and we will continue to follow his legacy and talk about how fans in san franc

we're live at the home of the giants, jesse gary, ktvu, fox two news. we'll head back across the bay to you in oakland. yeah it really is nice to see the giants doing that. >> and then jesse to really hear this connection that so many people have to willie mays. >> you know, it's funny people are talking about their their stories about willie mays. and i'll share mine. i'll go ahead and share mine. i called my mother last night and i told her that willie mays had passed. and you should know that mother gary is not a sports fan. she. you know, she she will tell you. you know the sports. not in the house with me. but she did not like sports at all. but i said, you know, willie mays passed away today. she said, oh, it's that's i'm so sorry to hear that. yeah. like, now i know who he is. 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 th

posted on line tonight that mays helped shape him into the man he is today. giantssed a statement of their own from willie mays son, michael. thanking his fans for the unwavering love they have shown his father and larry baer. saying i fell in love with baseball because of willie, plain and simple. >>> wow, just, we knew when this moment came there would be so much reaction and so much love. even knowing that pretty overwhelming for a lot of people >> picking up on that i want to do a shout out to mays other god son, daniel murphy, a long time photographer at kpix. condolences to your family. imagine if you are a giant's ballplayer in the 1990 s and in walks willie mays into the clubhouse every day. a long time giant, nine seasons talked about it earlier tonight. >> j.t. snow, a san francisco giant for nine seasons he joins us, j.t., here is what i want to know, what was it like seeing willie mays in the clubhouse, back in the day, middle 90s, into the 2000 where he would routinely show up in the clubhouse. >> yeah. i got traded to the giants in 1997. my first sprin

eighth inning here, the giants trail 6 to 1. ler, though, with the grand slam, but that's as close as they would come. cubs win this thing 6 to 5. the final at the coliseum. a's and the royals so many fans conflicted here. do we cheer for this team? the last few months? do we criticize the owner? what about the players? it's tough to handle. seventh inning here. brent rooker with the clutch rbi single. he had a big game. a's were up 3 to 1. a's go a slow network is no network for business. that's why more choose comcast business. and now, we're introducing ultimate speed for business —our fastest plans yet. we're up to 12 times faster than verizon, at&t, and t-mobile. and existing customers could even get up to triple the speeds... at no additional cost. it's ultimate speed for ultimate business. don't miss out on our fastest speed plans yet! switch to comcast business and get started for $49.99 a month. plus, ask how to get up to an $800 prepaid card. call today! the surge. here it is spins and lifts riders into the air up to 24

eighth inning here, the giants trail 6 to 1. ugh, with the grand slam, but that's as close as they would come. cubs win this thing 6 to 5. the final at the coliseum. a's and the royals so many fans conflicted here. do we cheer for this team? the last few months? do we criticize the owner? what about the players? it's tough to handle. seventh inning here. brent rooker with the clutch rbi single. he had a big game. a's were up 3 to 1. a's go

all the giants. bute before the game's first pitch. by the way, on that is for 25 in birmingham. so we'll follow that as well. just incredible. the son of a longtime family friend of willie mays. recalls seeing may's when they were growing up in his house. keith boykin says he it was just so shocked to hear about mazes passing and he'll be remembered forever for the influence that he had on him professionally and personally. >> it seems a nice man. every time we spoke with the he's just a genuine person. he was just when it's just not with the baseball what's going on now with the major league baseball coming in doing what they do is showcase now city. >> i just think it's phenomenal. so now it is say spears saying, but i think his legacy is going to be so strong. going to be positive for bird. >> and there's just such a close knit between birmingham and san francisco and it's all coming together. you know, right now, may's legacy extends far beyond the baseball diamond. he is famous for his work with

may is being felt by the giants, the fans and celebrities. we'll show you what's happening tonight and what's planned for tomorrow. there was nobody better on planet earth as a person than willie mays. we're going to take you to birmingham, alabama. our crews are there where they're changing the focus for tomorrow night's giants game at rickwood field. also, remember that big meat spill on 880 a couple of weeks ago? our investigative unit tracked down the company responsible, and we've learned that company has had similar messes before. and more people turning to social media for voting information and news. that's despite being worried about misinformation. what a new poll reveals about our upcoming election. good evening, i'm raj mathai. there are many plans being changed and many plans being created for tomorrow. willie mays died yesterday at the age of 93. it's prompted a flood of emotion and memories in the bay area, in his home state of alabama and across the country. let's start here at home. fans at oracle park paying their respects a

it has been a tough stretch for the giants off the field this month. the baby bull was the rookie of the year in 1958, eventually an nl mvp in 1967 and an 11 time all star. and ahead of today's first pitch, both managers, giants bob melvin and dodgers dave roberts, who also played for the giants during his career, spoke about the life and legacy of the forever giants. >> last night's game hearing about orlando and coming, you know, right off the heels of willie that we got a little inspiration from that last night and i think the game played out the way it should have and the way it did on willie night here, you know, those are those are big guys for us. >> orlando cepeda was a gentleman and he was tough. uh- great competitor, big presence. you know you hear from both sides from the giants side talking about the dodgers and from the dodgers side talking about the giants and maury wills, said uh- if he ever saw willie mays on the side of a highway with a flat tire, he'd drive on by. >> the rivalry runs deep. a's fans repping the green and gold in arizon

now to some sad news tonight from the san francisco giants. just as the team is preparing a memorial for the great willie mays, another legacy giant star orlando cepeda has died. abc seven news sports director larry beil here with a look back at cepeda's life. another one of these guys that was just larger than life. it's. >> yes, and it's a really rough time. the giants have one after another and they were teammates. orlando cepeda, known as the baby bull or cha-cha, played in the 50s, and 60s cepeda suffered a stroke and a bad fall back in 2018. and now his passing away at the age of 86. orlando cepeda broke into the major leagues in 1958, the year the giants moved from new york to san francisco. that season, he took home rookie of the year honors and hit a home run in his second ever at bat. >> i don't believe in pressure, so i just try to be myself. i have the confidence that i was a good ball player, cepeda, known as the baby bull for his power at the plate and chacha for his love of life in his native puerto rico, was a seven time all sta

we look back at his incredible career with the giants and the legacy he leaves behind both here and at the mlb. >> catching everything that came out there. >> join us as we honor one of greatest and most beloved players. >>> from kpix this is the late news with sara donchey on cbs news bay area. >>> hi, i'm sara donchey. there is, perhaps, no other storied athlete in bay area sports history. generations of fans marveled at his incredible talents and personality. he died. and extending well beyond the baseball field. he broke down barriers for athletes of color and even heard from former president barack obama if it had not been for mays he may not have been elected to the white house. let's bring in vern glenn. >> he called me peewee, called me peewee. his hometown tonight, well, where he played in the negro leagues is now a celebration of life instead of a tribute. mays played with joy, command and respect for the game and he always put on a show. >> go back, number 600 for willie mays >> and a great baseball player is an under statement. you can not mention the five greatest player o

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 to kind you can harris hodges on the loud speaker saying that as one of big hit don't with the bad home plate. >> they lost to the yankees in 6 games. >> after missing part of the 52 and all of the 53 season to serve in the army during the korean war where he was taught his famous basket catch by fellow service men may's return to the giants in 54

and then rejoined the giants. after that. s awarded the presidential medal of freedom for president barack obama for his pivotal role during the civil rights movement. >> and here is what president obama had to say on social media that willie mays wasn't just a singular athlete, blessed with an unmatched combination of grace, scale and power. he was also a wonderfully warm and generous person and an inspiration to an entire generation. president obama awarded willie mays, the presidential medal of freedom in 2015. i have the daughter of doctor martin luther king junior. bernice king expressed her condolences as well. >> by sharing a picture of doctor king and willie, a meeting back in 1963, during the height of the civil rights movement. willie mays, along with jackie robinson leading athletes during the civil rights movement. breaking the color barrier for so many generations really of athletes to come. >> 6.56 is the time. and as we continue here on the kron, 4 morning news will have more expanded coverage of the passing of

the giants clubhouse. yeah. spring training a few times i got a chance to sit down with him and 2 or 3 other people, and john shea would be there. the sportswriter friend of mine who was buddies with willie. and he would just tell stories and talking and laugh and the players would come by and he was like the king of the clubhouse, just, the life of the party, just a fun guy, just a great person to talk to. >> what do you think, though, made him so special? was there something within him that that people recognize? what can you tell us about that for meeting him? >> yeah. it wasn't i think it was just one of those things that some people are gifted with this great knack of, of connecting with people and, and figuring things out. he was one thing. he was, you know, a really smart guy. he was one of if you put together an all smart team in baseball, willie would be probably the captain. he he told me one spring training i probably 30 years ago, i started talking to him and he told me that when he played center fiel

yeah shows my age after the giants five three win over the dodgers. giants mascot lucille carried cepeda's number 30 onto the field, holding it up right there at home plate. cepeda's family says they were surrounding him as he died peacefully at home in contra costa county overnight. tributes pouring in on social media. major league baseball posting on x that the league mourns the passing of the hall of famer, reminding us of his many accomplishments, including making 11 all-star teams, hitting 379 home runs with a 2.97 batting average. we will be following this story all weekend long, both on air and on our website. to learn more about the life and legacy of orlando cepeda, go to nbcbayarea.com. we are going to turn now to the mass shooting near oakland's lake merritt back on june 19th. at least 15 people were shot after a juneteenth celebration. one of the victims of that terrifying night is now speaking out about his injuries and his long road to recovery. today in the bay's jocelyn moran spoke with mason ma and brings us his story. i just want to f

that brought the giants to within a run. ninth homer of the year for soler. ninth inning, grounded out to end the game. cubs held on to win 6-5. giantsdrop two out of three at wrigley. it's on to face the cardinals tomorrow night in birmingham. >>> a pivot to the nba. gary peyton ii has nine million reasons to feel good. gp ii has picked up his player option to return to the warriors next season. injuries limited peyton to 44 games last season. >>> former stanford star, cameron brinks rookie season with l.a. sparks is over. she suffered a torn acl last night. not only will she be out for the rest of the season, but brink will also miss the olympic games. she was on the three-on-three team. what's the one must have in your suitcase for your flight to rickwood field? >> i'll tell you it will be a sleeping mask because we're taking the overnight flight, that red eye. but i'm also taking a little plastic bag. if i can, i would love to get a piece of the turf. >> you'll have an opportunity. >> and bring it back. but i know i have

the giants won the pennant, propelling the giants from the cellar. >> the giants while the giants beathe brooklyn dodgers in a three game playoff, they would lose to the yankees four games to two. >> in the 1951 world series. during his days in new york, mays was a familiar figure on the streets of harlem, playing stickball games with kids before or after giants games. in 1952, mays career was put on hold for almost two full seasons. after he was drafted into the army during the korean war conflict. many believe mays would have hit 700 plus home runs if not for that layoff. when mays returned to action in 1954, he hit 345 with 41 homers and won the national league mvp award in a four nothing world series sweep of the cleveland indians. he made arguably the most famous catch in baseball history on vic wertz way back back. >> it is one of the many willie mays just brought. this crowd to his feet with a catch, which must have been an optical illusion to a lot of people. >> when the ball was hit. in my mind that i didn't think i was going to miss the ball, how were i going to get the ball

now to some sad news tonight from the san francisco giants. st as the team is preparing a memorial for the great willie mays, another legacy giant star orlando cepeda has died. abc seven news sports director larry beil here with a look back at cepeda's life. another one of these guys that was just larger than life. it's. >> yes, and it's a really rough time. the giants have one after another and they were teammates. orlando cepeda, known as the baby bull or cha-cha, played in the 50s, and 60s cepeda suffered a stroke and a bad fall back in 2018. and now his passing away at the age of 86. orlando cepeda broke into the major leagues in 1958, the year the giants moved from new york to san francisco. that season, he took home rookie of the year honors and hit a home run in his second ever at bat. >> i don't believe in pressure, so i just try to be myself. i have the confidence that i was a good ball player, cepeda, known as the baby bull for his power at the plate and chacha for his love of life in his native puerto rico, was a seven time all star

willie mays leaves behind a lasting legacy on baseball and the san francisco giants. he is remembered as a remarkable person on and off the field. and tonight, tributes have been filtering in a steady stream of fans paying their respects there at oracle park, where a memorial has grown, where his statue stands proudly. ktvu is amber lee live tonight there, outside the ballpark with the story. amber mike fans tell me as soon as they learned about his passing, they wanted to come here to oracle park. >> they left flowers and candles while holding on to their memories of willie mays, so impressed that there were already flowers there within minutes of him. >> it just shows how much the city loves him. >> a steady stream of fans came to oracle park to pay homage to willie mays at his likeness. that adorns the home of the san francisco giants. >> i was watching the game on tv and it was announced in the middle of the of the middle of the inning, and i felt just the need to come here and pay my respects. >> 177 year old fan tells me. as a teenager, he watched mays play at ca

side talking about the giants. nd maury wills said, if he ever saw willie mays on the side of a highway with a flat tire, he'd drive on by now, the rivalry runs deep. >> a's fans in arizona repping that green and gold. bottom two where scoreless, two on two out. ketel marte liner to left. r.b.i. single brings in the game's first run. it's one nothing diamondbacks zach gallo making his first start in nearly a month after a hamstring injury. six scoreless innings, seven strikeouts, just one hit allowed. the a's only got two in the game. d-backs win three. nothing. we got the rubber match tomorrow, the athletic reports. klay thompson will likely leave the warriors in free agency, which officially begins tomorrow afternoon. the lakers clippers mavericks expect to be the strongest suitors for klay, who's spent his entire 13 year career with golden state. he, of course, is a four time nba champion, but all signs are pointing to that ending. within the next 24 hours, we will stay tuned. let's kick it. bay fc and louisville

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 war in the deciding playoff game. mays was on deck bobby thompson, shot heard around the world to take dependent and propel the giants into the world series. >> i didn't understand what was happening until everybody started jumping up and down. we want to kind you can harris hodges on the loud speaker saying that as one that out big hit, don't with the bad home plate. >> they lost to the yankees in 6 games. >> after missing part of the 52 and all of the 53 season to serve in the army during the korean war where he was taught his famous basket catch by fellow service men may's return to the giant

it's a special a special day for the giants for sure. am alabama, home of the late, great willie mays. so many players honored to be here tonight and represent him as they supported those giants uniforms. a special week here in birmingham, alabama i'm laura b'rit for nbc bay area news. as the tributes continue for willie mays. they stay with us for the latest right here on nbc bay area and on our streaming channels. you can also visit our website, nbcbayarea.com. just click on the willie mays tab at the top of our home page. well, tonight the search is on for the gunman who opened fire at a juneteenth celebration near lake merritt in oakland last night. you can see this video here shows the immediate aftermath of that shooting. the bullet sent hundreds of people ducking for cover. oakland police say that the violence started when the event was actually wrapping up. first, about 20 vehicles started an illegal sideshow at grand and euclid fights, then broke out in the street. and that is when the gunfire started. at least 15 people were hit

we continue to honor the legacy of san francisco giants 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 with the birmingham black barons of the leagues when he was 17 years old, 1951 may signed with the new york giants and made his major league debut stayed with that team when they moved to san francisco. 7 years later. >> at oracle park all day today, people have been stopping by the address there. 24 willie mays plaza to add to the growing memorial. our kron sarah stinson has that story. >> like today is the day and you my respects and taken by fan after fan stopping by a growing memorial at oracle park wednesday to pay their respects to the late willie mays. >> news of his passing has both baseball and non-baseball fans heartbroken across the country. gordon bain in tears as he dropped off flowers mean it just shows you how much he meant to everybody. >> and i've seen people out here tears like mine just overcome with emotion, because like he was a coa

we've got the giants. we've got the pride festival. of course, we've got to stir grow. i mean, there's just a lot of people coming into town. the weather is going to be something else we're talking about. nice warm summer weather. if you like that is going to be beautiful in san francisco. if your traveling here looks like we're going to see some patchy fog. start out morning early on. but after that, boy, the heat is on in many spots. >> high pressure really getting ready to build. in fact, tomorrow, we're already going to start to see some hot temperatures in some of the interior valleys. still much cooler along the coastline. enough of the seabreeze. keep those numbers down. still, we're talking 94 degrees tomorrow and live more. 93 and cocker. maybe 95 in santa rosa. but what a contrast coast side. 63 for a high in half moon bay. but we're just getting things going. in heat advisories likely to go up here pretty soon. right now, national weather services issued and heat watch across most of the bay area everywhere except the coastline in san francisco. and it's goin

the 24-time all-star, the say hey kid is the ultimate forever giant. he had an influence not only on the game of baseball but on the fabric of america. inspiration and a hero that will be forever remembered and deeply missed. >> and mlb, incredible achievements and statistics do not begin to describe the awe that came with watching willie mays dominate the game in every way imaginable. we will never forget this true giant, off and on the field. >>> thursday's game at rick woodfield was designed to be a celebration of willie mays and his peers with sadness in our hearts it will now serve as a national remembrance of an american who will forever remain on the short list of the most impactful individuals our great game has ever known. >>> we are going to keep bringing you remembrances all night. share your memories with us by tagging us at kpix, sara? >> all right, there, anne. >>> this is one of those things where we will all know where we were when we heard the news of the passing of willie mays. just how he just touched everybody. those statements were

it's owner of the giants. she goes, hey, bob, can you get this ball signed for this young man over here. he goes, is it true he did this? i go, yeah, i've had this all the whole time. he walks out to first base, he signs it, so i got -- it says best wishes, willie mays on a baseball. made my day. a cherished piece for the rest of my life. >> man, that's something. >>> still ahead, the new zone coming to san francisco pride celebrations this year. >>> a different kind of history will likely be made at this year's pride celebration in san francisco. >> pending any last-minute changes, it'll be the first year with legal cannabis sales and a consumption area. the cannabis zone will be in front of the bill graham civic auditorium on saturday and sunday of pride weekend. people can buy and consume cannabis there. have to be 21 or older to get in. security will be on site. the host of the cannabis stages at pride called this a historic moment for both the cannabis world and lgbtq community. >> i mean, this is literall

my dad took me out there with the giants. first came to town. was excited about that seal stadium and willie mays and, yeah, the say, hey, kid, back to you. this is one of those nights, terry. you just said it. you think about your dad and your mom. you think about your grandparents. they bridge the gap for baseball, and you just. yes, you do. you just summarized it perfectly. thank you, terry, and what great memories for you, terry. all right. an outpouring of love outside oracle park and an outpouring on social media, too, among the posts from the giants, this one saying, quote, there will never be another quite like willie mays, another giants legend, barry bonds, posting this photo on instagram along with a moving tribute. i am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion. i have no words to describe what you mean to me. you help shape me to be who i am today. thank you for being my godfather and always being there. give my dad a hug for me. rest in peace willie. i love you forever. buster posey tonight remembering the slugger too, saying whe

so he was super for today with 4 rbi and the giants. they win 13, this expense of it in. lso had his first major league relief. today. they'll head out to chicago to take on the curve on tomorrow. meanwhile, they were hoping to bounce in their final leg of a double header with that picking up the top of the 3rd with the a's. they were downright. i was so touched on the sun. this was to straightaway center carrying well, and that gone. the a's they tied. so she's selling solo homer bottom of the frame. same score one on for austin martin. he shoots it into the left-center gap there and go ahead. run comes in the school and in the blink of an eye, the twins regained the lead. top of the 7th now showing runners at the corners for show you years and he hits one off the end of his bad. and it's a straight right there for a base gayle. and are scores the tying run in the 8th tie it again. now, the bottom of the 8, 6, jose miranda, he golfs this one high and deep to left into the second pick. a goes that when they take the lead late their 3rd homer of the game's top of the night.

so the giants are on the road. they're taking on the cubs at historic wrigley field. it's one of just two current major league ballparks where mays played a regular season game at, and the team made sure that his presence was felt. while his impact here in the bay area is felt, he really touched just about every part of the game of baseball, stretching far and wide across this country and ballparks and beyond. so today, before the game, there was a moment of silence, as julie mentioned in chicago, the team posted some pictures on x. it showed that famed number 24 jersey hanging in the dugout. they also had a number 24 patch, a stitched on to some of those jerseys, and while it was shown no word yet on if it will, they will continue to wear those all season long. so you see that jersey there hanging in the dugout. and then also that patch with mays written across the top of it. now, mays arguably one of the greatest players that goes without saying, but we did ask him what made him tick back in an old interview. he was frequently at spring training, and we asked him th

glenn dickey covered the giants for the san francisco chronicle. at that time, i think that was probably the most unpopular trade that the giants made in the time i was, i was covering him. >> people just hated it because they loved orlando in cepeda's first full season in saint louis, he led them to the world series championship and was named the unanimous national league's most valuable player. >> cepeda played another six seasons with four different teams, including a very brief three at bat stop with the oakland a's before hanging up his cleats for good in 1974, just a year after retiring, cepeda found himself in serious trouble with the law, busted for smuggling marijuana into puerto rico from colombia. cepeda would be sentenced to five years in federal prison, of which he would serve 11 months. his conviction badly damaged his reputation in his native land. >> no no no no no no no no no. >> but out of the darkness came light. not long after his release from prison, cepeda discovered his spiritual savior, buddhism. >> the best thing that happe

american icon, the man most considered the greatest baseball player of all time. giants legend willie mays, has died at the age of 93. that news still sinking in. this is the willie mays statue outside of oracle park, and there's a growing memorial of flowers, candles and messages for the hall of famer who inspired generations of players. it is an emotional night for so many people. you think about your grandparents or your parents or whoever taught you about the game of baseball, and willie mays was always part of that education. the tributes are pouring in from former players, friends and fans and remarkable jessica that someone that many of us never saw play still has and had the significance of willie mays. that is the power of baseball. it really is. tonight the giants were in chicago when that news broke. it is with great sadness that we announced that san francisco giants legend and hall of famer willie mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. please join us in a moment of silence as we remember willie mays moment of silence at wrigley field fo

side talking about the giants. lls said, if he ever saw willie mays on the side of a highway with a flat tire, he'd drive on by. >> great story there. the rivalry runs deep. let's kick it. bay fc in louisville this afternoon. 76 minutes scoreless penalty kick for asisat oshoala and she gets it to go her third of the season. bay fc wins their sixth game of the year one nil friday night. joe thornton announced the very first number one overall draft pick in sharks history. macklin, celebrating who played for the junior sharks. of course, his father, rick, the head trainer of the warriors. macklin looking forward to turning things around in san jose. >> it's an exciting opportunity because you kind of get to build a group. they have a young core that's that's very special. and, i mean, i feel like they're moving in the right direction and they're building the right way. so i'm super excited to join the organization. and, i can't wait to see where we go. >> well, from hockey to hoops, each season, the warriors release a

but this afternoon, the giants opened up the field for fans to watch as the giants play the st. louis cardinals in alabama and pay tribute to the late legend kron four's rob nesbitt caught up with some of them. >> while somber music played over the speakers of giants stadium, a long line of fans waited to sign the condolence book for willie mays. my heart's broken. it was an emotional day in the outfield thursday from fans like bert williams who thought a maze as a hero when he was a kid. i'm in my 70's, but it. kind of the end and may try do to improve a lo who dropped to his knees praying. i didn't think i'd be so. so the motion will. over flew home to san francisco from chicago for the maze tribute, set the bar so high that nobody can touch it when he died. he took it with them. >> so when you just amazing of so many great memories, the baseball legend made his mark here after playing with the giants from 1951. to 1972. >> he got his start at rickwood field in birmingham where he played in the league and where thursday's tribute game for mays was played. fans watching from th