i mean, willie was my godfather. i mean, willie was my idol. there's you know, two comparisons here. to be a young kid and have a dream to be a baseball player. and then you're the person you idolize is your godfather. i mean, what other gift do you want from that? i mean, all i cared was love. you know that he cared about me as my godfather and that i was good enough for him. mays loved to smile, and he never lost his desire for that good game of cards in the clubhouse. even legends from other sports like muhammad ali would come pay a visit. in 2015, president obama awarded mays with the presidential medal of freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. all i can say, thank you. thank the guys that i played with and hope they had a good time playing with me. thank you very much, ernie. thank woo woo. hello. okay, i hope they had a good time playing with me. they had a great time playing with me. we had a great time watching your career and watching your afterlife of baseball on the peninsula. this is a live picture now at oracle park in san f

it's just a huge loss to see willie mays, the passing of willie mays. >> and we know after the soon after 1951 it wasn't just baseball, but mays, you know, he learned that the united states army had drafted him to serve. and serve he did before coming back and playing baseball for the giants. and one of the great highlights, as we are watching some of these highlights, this from candlestick park, a yard that's no longer there, the first ballpark i ever went to. but the catch so many times we've seen it over the years that won the nl pennant in the 54 world series, sweeping the cleveland indians in four games. but forever the say, hey kid, remember for that one instance, just running back and running back and tracking down the ball. so good. so good at i know just playing the game of baseball at so many kids play, here in america and such a young age. >> and again he had just put out a statement yesterday talking about the game there at rickwood field in birmingham, alabama, saying i'm not able to get to birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the bay area. he put that o

beloved willie, willie brown.t willie mays impact. >> i never would think he would die, frankly. he was such an awesome american figure. particularly, african american figure. purely from that standpoint, i don't think there is anyone in the history of african american sports that matches the nature of willie mays. he was clearly a true athlete. he was an incredible gentleman. in the nature of how he did what he did when he said i will play for the giants in san francisco. and, he had to go through trials and tribulations of an african american trying to live in the city where they had limitations that they denied willie mays triversed all of that and changed how the nation treated baseball players. that is the history of willie mays. >> very impressive. he had such an impact on the city of san francisco, beyond just the game of baseball. >> i know we are going down another aspect of him but now one thing that just triggered during our interview. willie mays, if you ever shook his hand you remembered it. he did no

i mean, willie was my godfather. i mean, willie was my idol.'s, you know, two comparisons here, to be a young kid and have a dream to be a baseball player, and then you're the person you idolize is your godfather. i mean, what other gift do you want from that? i mean, all i cared was love. you know that he cared about me as my godfather and that i was good enough for him. mays loved to smile, and he never lost his desire for that good game of cards in the clubhouse. even legends from other sports like muhammad ali would come pay a visit. in 2015, president obama awarded mays with the presidential medal of freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. all i can say, thank you. thank the guys that i've played with and hope they had a good time playing with me. thank you very much. ana thank. you. amazing to see those clips of video tonight. baseball hall of famer ken griffey jr shared with us what happened. the last time they were together in san francisco. he was sitting in a clubhouse and, i try to sneak by and he was like, oh no, you got enoug

rest in peace willie. i love you forever. >> and news of willie mays death set in plenty of giants fans in the bay area. some say they immediately went to the ballpark in china basin to honor him. and while the giants are away in chicago, ktvu is amber lee live tonight outside the ballpark in san francisco, amber mike, there is a growing memorial for willie mays here in front of oracle park. >> fans were nostalgic as they gathered here to remember the man who they describe as the greatest baseball player who ever lived, 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 c

out to willie mays, 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

rest in peace willie. i love you forever. >> current and former players sharing their personal stories about mays touching tributes as people expressed their grief tonight, former new york yankees player and bay area native cc sabathia of vallejo saying i'll never forget this day when i walked in and heard that's the boy who wears his hat like this, sabathia says. rest in peace, willie mays. you changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream. thank you for everything that you did on and off the field. always in our hearts. and the giants are preparing for the rickwood classic game in alabama before they left, ktvu frank mallicoat spoke with baseball fans at oracle park and reflected on willie mays legacy. >> we got him all the way down game day at oracle park, and although the great willie mays hasn't played a game at a giants uniform in 52 years, the say-hey kid is still bigger than life, just effervescent. >> i mean, he was just like such a sparkling personality. >> at the willie m

and of course that includes the willie mays statue at willie mays plaza outside oracle park. ktvu jesse gary begins our coverage near the corner of third and king streets in san francisco. >> a doorway calls to those on a pilgrimage to pay their last respects to willie mays. >> it was supposed to be open, so, hey, let's take advantage of this. go to the museum. >> i was supposed to be in a buddhist retreat online, but, you know, to me, willie is a teacher. >> say, willie, the say hey, experience is a museum and also a shrine to willie mays. it has videos, pictures and memorabilia of what many say was baseball's greatest player because of the situation, we wanted to open the space, give fans a chance to pay their respects, 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 sea. 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

not only was willie, his mentor willie mays was barry bonds godfather. the barry bonds called him a second father figure. both of them considered legends of the game and both played most of their career for the san francisco giants. the barry bonds posted this photo on instagram and he wrote, quote, 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. >> willie mays is being honored by so many great athletes. fellow hall of famer derek jeter posted this message on social media. one of the best to ever play the game and an even better person. thoughts and prayers are with willie's family and loved ones. bask football legend magic johnson posted this message on social media. i'm devastated to hear about the passing of the legendary hall of famer willie mays. one of the main reasons i fell in love with baseball. cookie and i are praying for his famil

out to willie mays, 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 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

early in willie mays baseball career, he went into the us army and willie brown says willie mays would home runs if he did not go into the army, and that mays was more than an exceptional athlete. he was an exceptional human being. >> willie mays has been a fixture at the ballpark well after his retirement from opening day ceremonies to becoming the organization's ambassador. i spoke to a local writer who may know him best, john shea. he's the san francisco chronicle national baseball writer who wrote the new york times best selling biography of willie mays. shea says willie mays is the one player who changed the fabric of america as people after world war ii became enamored with the say, hey, kid, since he was such a joy to watch. shea spoke to me from birmingham, alabama, where he's preparing to cover the game at rickwood field to honor the league players, including willie mays, who played there. shea says the game will take on special significance now that mays has died. >> it's certainly going to have a different vibe. willie was not going to be there anyway. he came out with a sta

and on that day, said i was going to meet willie mays and willie spent. >> hours signing autographs. i was the second to last autograph. sign. and the typical question that you asked, kids are, you know, what do you want to be when you grow up? and you know, for my family, the right answer is a doctor. a lawyer, you know something like that. but my response was, i want to be a baseball player. and then we'll there's niche response to me was, you know what that takes, what it takes to be a major league player. and i said no. and he said you got to love the game. that stuck with it stuck with me. and as if we're using the word by it. but with me, but you've seen stories, where will he would take kids play stickball with the after they finish stickball games would have ice cream. and as i said, i was 7 year-old kid in 1962. well, when i had the opportunity to meet him, in those words stuck with me it was. who i became as a player and what he came off the steal as a player that opportunity with will. >> he had a tremendous amount of influence. you know, his godson, barry bonds. i spent s

statue of the great willie mays stands. and now it is becoming a shrine where giants fans are leaving flowers and notes and mementos. the official address of oracle park is 24 willie mays plaza, 24, was his number there. exactly 24 palm trees in that plaza. fans have been pouring in throughout the day to show their respect to the best all around baseball player of all time. willie mays was the incarnation of the continuity of baseball from from generation to generation, which i now have shared with my daughter and my father shared with me tonight. and the giants just wrapped up a game in chicago against the cubs. you can see right there the announcers wore special t shirts honoring willie and the giants themselves wore this patch you see right there on their uniforms today. the number 24. and the giants are also keeping willie's memory alive with this tribute. see manager bob melvin right next to the number 24 jersey hanging in their dugout at wrigley field. and just like they did last night, the cubs paid tribute to mays.

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

that from willie mays son michael. the heartbreaking news came as the giants are taking on the cubs tonight at wrigley field. as jason was just talking about the giants play by play announcer jon miller announced it to fans watching tonight's game. >> we are very sad now to relay this information that has just been released by the giants, that the great willie mays has passed away. he passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93. >> current and former players sharing their personal stories as well. tonight about mays. want to show you now something that cc sabathia of vallejo put out on the platform known as x. he says, quote, i will never forget this day when i walked in and heard, that's the boy who wears his hat like this. obviously he's talking about the photo of him and willie mays there. sabathia says, rest in peace, willie mays. you changed the game forever and inspired kids like me to chase our dream. thank you for everything that you did on and off the field, always in our hearts. touching tributes a

say, willie, the say hey, experience is a museum. >> and also a shrine to willie mays. it has videos, pictures and memorabilia of what many say was baseball's greatest player. >> because of the situation, we wanted to open the space, give fans a chance to pay their respects. 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

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

but willie mays to get a house.ds at that time didn't have any black persons doing so. but ultimately he changed the nature of that. >> former mayor brown says the last time we spoke with mays was a couple years ago when he was invited to richmond, 4 field that was named after the baseball legend. still ahead, the kron morning news. we will continue our coverage on remembering the say, hey, kid, a special tribute to willie mays. don't go anywhere. when we say it'll be on time, they expect it to be on time. turn shipping to your advantage. keep those expectations with reliable ground shipping. thanks brandon. with usps ground advantage®. ♪♪ new mr. clean ultra foamy magic eraser? with the scrubbing power of magic eraser and the cleaning power of dawn. watch it make soap scum here... disappear... and sprays can leave grime like that ultra foamy melts it on contact. magic. new ultra foamy magic eraser. election headquarters. >> so this is what the great highway in san francisco could look like. if a ballot is passed in

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

i mean, willie was my godfather. i mean, willie was my idol. there's no two comparisons here, to be a young kid and have a dream to be a baseball player and then you're the person you idolize. is your godfather. i mean, what other gift do you want from that? i mean, all i cared was love, you know that he cared about me as my godfather and that i was good enough for him. mays loved to smile, and he never lost his desire for that good game of cards in the clubhouse. even legends from other sports like muhammad ali would come pay a visit. in 2015, president obama awarded mays with the presidential medal of freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. all i can say, thank you. thank the guys that i've played with and hope they had a good time playing with me. thank you very much, ana. thank. you all right? if you're just now tuning in, you see there our coverage. just within the last few minutes, we have confirmed that willie mays has died 93 years old. he's died at his home on the peninsula. he lived in atherton for many years, but in the last se

willie mays!y, swinging at the plate ♪ say hey. ♪ happy birthday, dear willie, happy birthday to you. we love you, willie. happy birthday. (male announcer) up next, how would you like to get the celebrity secret for ageless skin? (female announcer) find out how in this paid presentation for meaningful beauty. (male announcer) as cindy crawford unveils her newest youth activating breakthrough. (female announcer) plus, now for 2024 and beyond, watch today's program and discover how to get cindy's incredible super brightening duo, $120 dollars' worth of youth-revitalizing treatments, absolutely free! (male announcer) and coming up, find out what happens when cindy crawford invites grey's anatomy star ellen pompeo to try the evolutionary secret that's kept cindy's skin looking so youthful for so long. when you see the pictures of cindy at age 31 and then now at 52, her skin actually looks more radiant now than it did then.

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

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 was joy. that's what he was about. >> scott new underline something that, you know, we all heard about his his charisma, his effervescent says i love the detail of the hat flying off on purpose because it looked cool. but he wanted to make it fun for people. >> here's something the late bill rigby who was the first manager of the san francisco giants win. they would care i i would try write a book with him once he told me a lot of stories and some about willw and use that one-time willie early in his career was playing winter ball. like puerto rico and but it's like that and play winter ball. so he's playing one about what was playing center field and right fields, roberto clemente, the great that's for right fielder. who is part of the bridge right field field of all time. you've got the great center field of all time. the bridge right there all time. what? we'll get a couple times. you know, there's bay set out to center field and will he would go to feel that throw back in and he would let

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

willie, i love you forever. bonds will be one of the celebrity coaches during today's celebrity softball game. happening at rickwood field in alabama honoring the leads leagues and it was just so fitting that they were all playing on that field. mlb yesterday on the day that will be passed then it turned into a celebration of his life and we will continue celebrating the life and legacy willie mays ahead. stay tuned. we'll mays ahead. stay tuned. we'll be right back. (♪♪) the best summer plans come from the back seat. let's go camping! i want to see a dinosaur! let's rescue a puppy... a real one. let's go on a big family road trip! volvo plug-in hybrids short trips on electric, longer trips on gas. mom, can we drive until we see the stars? the volvo xc60 and xc90 plug-in hybrid. visit your local volvo retailer to explore plug-in hybrid vehicles during the summer safely savings event. ♪ ♪ california sky ♪ ♪ todos alcanzamos las estrellas ♪ ♪ sunny state of mind ♪ ♪ flexin' all the time ♪ ♪ todo es dorado ♪ ♪ feel

so he loves willie mays. we all love willie mays. his numbers are staggering. 5th all-time in home runs at 660. the only giant who has more than him is his godson, barry bonds, 338. >> stolen bases, 339. if you count the heart that he stole from all of us. so many people remembering willie mays this morning, stopping by taking a moment. so many people guys look at this. they even have security officers here from the giants to make sure thpt people can stop by take a picture, a drop flowers, down the some yesterday even jumped up to the statute to be even that much closer. >> to willie mays, back to you. >> all right. yeah. and you mentioned barry bonds because willie mays was like a father to him. he was barry bonds is godfather and have words from barry bonds today to share with you as well. and continues to pay tribute. he said i am in part, i am beyond devastated, overcome with emotion. i have no words to describe what you mean to me. you helped shape me to be who i am today. thank you for being my godfather and always being there

it would be willie and willie and orlando cepeda and juan marichal and dave dravecky would come in at times. and, you know, barry bonds is always there. and he said, just having willie mays stand up and give a speech to the minor leaguers, it was unbelievable. and his advice, i mean, you talked about how much he loved the game and said, have fun. he would tell these guys, you're not playing enough in spring training, go out and play baseball. you're here to play baseball. you're here to have fun. so i think the guys who are lucky enough logan webb, mike yastrzemski, austin slater, who are around, you know, a few years ago, when willie's health was a little bit better, they did get to meet him, but certainly he means a lot to some other guys on this team. alex and laura, thank you. it's great to have you both out there, by the way. show us around. are we at the famous sign there, rickwood field, behind you? we are. we're right right here. i see it now. we're right here with us. that's that is great to see. awesome to see you guys. laura b'rit alex pavlovich from nbc sports travel safe.

i mean, even when we were kids, it was willie mays, willie mays, i mean, he was the man. >> he used to come in that pink cadillac, that pink convertible cadillac. and it was just willie mays, you know? yeah, he's he was. he was our, hero. >> sports columnist scott ostler said he was talking with willie mays one time and a modest mays was saying how he wasn't sure he got all that power and reference to the home runs that he hit. ostler said he looked down where mays had his arms on the table. he was wearing a short sleeve shirt at the time and thought, i think i know where that power came from. describing willie mays arms that looked like popeye arms in his description, they're very strong wrists at that. now back to you. >> all right j.r. thank you. so great to hear all those stories. and the giants are adding a special patch to their uniforms in honor of willie mays. it's a round patch with number 24 and mays name written inside. you see it there. the patch will be displayed on the front of the team's uniform right above the heart. >> please join us in a moment of silence as we rememb

of willie mays.opping by and leaving flowers and tributes to the baseball legend. our lauren toms had a chance to chat with them and tells us people are bringing more than just flowers. some have musical tributes. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: tributes of all sounds and meaning have poured into willie mays' plaza including one from bay area native, carrie brandon. >> i was born and bred a giants' fan coming to games since i was 7 years old. for me at mill age it's hard to imagine living in a world where he's not here. but it means so much to have his statue and his legacy as part of the bay area. >> reporter: most people never had the pleasure of seeing willieplays play but brandon came closer than most when she performed the national anthem at a game he was being honored at. >> to get to interact with this legend, even at a young age, i knew what an incredible opportunity i had to meet him. i mean, it was -- one of my best childhood memories. >> reporter: fans to have giants and beyond came to pay respects tuesd

rest in peace willie.ll, from san francisco to birmingham, alabama, where willie mays started his career during a minor league game at the field, fans were sad to hear the news. >> willie mays one of the greatest players in the history of our game, has passed away at the age of 93. he was born here in alabama. he got his start in this very ballpark, thrilled generations of baseball fans with his brilliant play, and we will always cherish the memory and life of the great willie mays. >> the great willie mays. last night this video was posted 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. >>

as the tributes continue for willie mays.ay 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, including a woman who says she was shot in the hand. it was tragic, i mean tragic. all i could think about was my family and living to see another day. it's the day we were supposed to come out here and, you know, celebrate and have fun and it's just oakland got to do better. so

i mean, even when we were kids, it was willie mays, willie mays, i mean, he was the man. he used to come in that pink cadillac, that pink convertible cadillac, and he was just willie mays, you know? >> yeah, he's he was he was our, hero sports columnist scott ostler said he was talking with willie mays one time, and a modest mays was saying how he wasn't sure where he got all that power in reference to the home runs he hit. >> ostler said he looked down where mays had his arms on the table. he was wearing a short sleeve shirt and thought, i think i know where that power came from. describing willie mays arms that looked like popeye, arms in his eyes, very strong wrists at that jr stone. abc seven news. >> well, one person who can certainly speak with a great knowledge and affection about the remarkable life of willie mays lead, is probably the guy who spent an entire career writing about him. the incomparable john shea, national baseball writer for the chronicle and the author of mays biography, called the giants great, his friend. >> look at it now. it's like he's going

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

mays. >>> 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

i mean, even when we were kids, it was willie mays, willie mays, i mean, he was the man.e used to come in that pink cadillac, that pink convertible cadillac, and he was just willie mays, you know? >> yeah, he's he was he was our, hero sports columnist scott ostler said he was talking with willie mays one time, and a modest mays was saying how he wasn't sure where he got all that power in reference to the home runs he hit. >> ostler said he looked down where mays had his arms on the table. he was wearing a short sleeve shirt and thought, i think i know where that power came from. describing willie mays arms that looked like popeye, arms in his eyes, very strong wrists at that jr stone. abc seven news. >> well, one person who can certainly speak with a great knowledge and affection about the remarkable life of willie mays lead, is probably the guy who spent an entire career writing about him. the incomparable john shea, national baseball writer for the chronicle and the author of mays biography, called the giants great, his friend. >> look at it now. it's like he's going ou

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

nbc's maria quintana joins us now from 24 willie mays plaza. the exact address of oracle park sergio. yeah. and everyone that we've been talking with today say that they are very happy that they either got to meet him in person or got to see him here at oracle park for one of his many appearances during his retirement. now, across his 93 years on earth, mays left a lasting impression on america first as an excellent athlete with a positive personality, struggling for recognition and equality as one of the first players to transition from the baseball league into the major leagues in 1951, mays became an immediate standout for the new york giants and gained a national following as television became more common across the country, he was often one of the only black players featured in major league tv coverage at the time, and when the giants moved to san francisco in 1958, he was an integral part of the franchise, even if san francisco didn't immediately warm up to him. mays has said that it took him a few years to buy a house here because white

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

willie mays could not do better than any by the bills. >> remembering willie mays today on kron. 4 news at noon. the bay-area honors the greatest player to ever wear a giants uniform. >> from the bay station, you're watching kron. noon. >> thanks so much for joining us here on kron. 4 news at noon. i'm stephanie lin. >> here, ladies and gentlemen, it is with great sadness that we announce 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 mae. >> saying goodbye to the say, hey, kid, that was major league baseball honoring willie mays at a game last night. the former giants hall of famer passed away yesterday at the age of 93 kron. 4 sports director jason dumas has more on the legacy he leaves behind. >> 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

and i should also add, with willie, willie mays passing, you know, the mlb said they were going to be to him. and they couldn't think of a better way to do it than on the field where he started, in the community where he grew up, and playing the game that he loves. >> greg lee reporting for us live. greg, i know it's hot there, so you had to take that jacket off. it's a nice jacket, but but it is kind of warm. i know at this time of the year in birmingham, alabama. we appreciate your time. we'll check in with you a little later. >> thanks, sandra. >> so, so glad that greg is there to bring that to us because boy, what a time and especially to get to honor. >> he had to put he had to put the jacket on. it's a cool jacket it is for sure. >> but you can't keep it on too long there at this time of the year there the flex a little bit and then right when then he was taking it off on the video was playing. >> i know how that goes. all right. good morning. let's go out and take a look at the commute here. you can see that the traffic is improving here. he might need that jacket here right. i

make all the noise you can >> willie! willie! willie >> as for the game itself, which does count in the standings, brandon crawford, now a cardinal taking on his former team for the first time. saint louis jumps on giants starter keaton winn. early alabama native brendan donovan, a two run homer to make it three nothing in the first inning. donovan with three rbis. now, the giants would tie it up when the present day center fielder eliot ramos does his willie impersonation opposite field, his 10th of the year first giant to reach double digits this year. but the giants end up falling six five to end an emotional few days whenever the ceremony was going on. >> i had a lot of like, goosebumps and all that. a lot of emotion is going on. it is a super special day. i wish we won the game, but it is what it is. you guys could feel it tonight. >> the buzz was different. the aura was different. it felt like we went back in time and were playing. you know, 70 years ago. it was just it was so fun. >> a's and royals at the coliseum honoring

and god bless willie mays.i'm glad he knew it was happening. yeah he did right. he knew it was happening. he responded. sal, such a special time, especially for everybody who grew up. you know, on the little league fields. and, you know, with all those dreams, it's fun to watch all of this. >> got to be fun to watch, that's for sure. all right. good morning to you both. and morning to you at home. this is a look at i-80 westbound as you come out toward the macarthur maze. it looks pretty good. and there have been no major problems here at the bay bridge toll plaza. but definitely we don't have a break anymore. it's looking like a typical thursday here, where we have a lot of slow traffic. although is it really though san mateo bridge, dumbarton bridge, no. slow traffic, 880 and 680 still looking good and the south bay is still fine, so maybe we'll get a little bit of a break. it's still a touch early. we'll see what happens a little later on. right now i like those mid bay crossings. what about this weekend's w

mays. >> willie! you for watching. i'm david muir. i'll see you tomorrow night. good night. it's gone. it's a home run. >> number 24 in your program. number one in your heart, willie mays. willie mays gets a great ovation from the crowd. >> it's difficult right now to even, try to explain to you how much i love baseball. every time i went on the field, i enjoyed what i was doing. i gave everything i had. tribute is pouring in today for the say, hey, kid, willie mays, as we remember willie mays. >> we will always cherish the memory and life of the great willie mays. >> he mentored many. he was 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 outsi

after the break, we'll speak with a professor from san jose state out willie mays is impact on out willieays is impact on and off the baseball field. when you host, your bathroom can feel like a revolving door... keep things fresh with febreze small spaces. it's an outlet-free air freshener that fights odors for 45 days. so even after every flush... you know your bathroom smells amazing. ♪ lalalalala ♪ salonpas lidocaine flex. a super thin, flexible patch with maximum otc strength lidocaine that contours to the body to relieve pain right where it hurts. and did we mention, it really, really sticks? salonpas, it's good medicine. continue now to honor the legacy of san francisco giants legend willie mays. he died yesterday at the age of 93. joining us now to talk about >> the life and legacy of willie mays is sean flesher. he's in a fit assistant professor of marketing and communication with san jose state. sean, thanks for joining us. >> thanks for having me. so what does? what when you hear that merely willie mays has passed away, what do you think his legacy is? >> what i think he has a