Publisher's Weekly Review
In this enjoyable memoir, told in the third person, Shea (Off Base) and Mays narrate the life of one of MLB's greatest baseball players. Drawing on hundreds of interviews from the likes of fellow legends Hank Aaron, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, and Willie McCovey, and three presidents (Clinton, Bush, Obama), Shea chronicles Mays's life and legacy with attention, detail, and awe. The narrative follows Mays's early playing days in Tennessee through his professional career with the New York/San Francisco Giants and New York Mets and into retirement. When describing his famous catch in the 1954 World Series, Mays humbly recalls, "It was simple to me. You go back, you catch the ball, you spin, you turn, you throw it back to the infield." He reflects on other parts of his life, as well, including his Army service during the Korean War ("You've got to serve your country, and that's what I did"), and discusses the significance of black athletes, from Jackie Robinson through to when Mays himself received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama ("It wasn't about riding Air Force One, it was the thought of someone from my race inviting me aboard"). This definitive work about a living legend is a must-buy for baseball fans. (May)
Booklist Review
Willie Mays, by consensus the greatest all-around baseball player ever, has been the subject of countless books, so it's fair to ask if there's anything left to say. A fair question, maybe, but a silly one. With the Say Hey Kid, there's always more to say, and, in this unusual mix of memoir, self-help, and baseball history, Mays and coauthor John Shea, longtime San Francisco Chronicle sportswriter, find a thoroughly engaging way to say it. Rather than offering a straightforward life story, the text focuses on specific episodes in Mays' life--24 of them, naturally, as Mays wore number 24 throughout his 22-season career. This approach, along with the book's structure, which combines Shea's narrative with Mays' commentary, makes it possible to provide revealing detail about even the most-discussed events in the Mays highlight reel, and it gives Mays, who will turn 90 in 2021, the opportunity to reflect on the game and how to play it. Testimony from a host of past and present players, along with presidents and other notables, all inspired by Mays' example, drives home the point that there's never been anyone quite like number 24.
Kirkus Review
Living legend Mays (b. 1931) and San Francisco Chronicle baseball writer Shea present fresh material about the often chronicled career of the superstar center fielder. The title refers to Mays' jersey number and also corresponds to the number of chapters in this conversational book. The majority of the text contains Shea's words about the Hall of Famer, but Mays' own words are scattered throughout each chapter along with an excellent array of photographs from every stage of his life. The narrative is upbeat in the sense that the hundreds of individuals quoted are consistently enthralled by Mays' sterling character, positive outlook, and baseball talent. But it's not all sunshine. Mays faced intense racism after transitioning from the Negro Leagues to white-dominated Major League Baseball. Though Jackie Robinson became the first black player to break the color barrier, the role of Mays as a racial pioneer in MLB is unquestionable. His white teammates and his few black mentors tended to protect him instinctively from the most repulsive racism, almost surely because of his winning personality as well as his on-field talents. In chapters framed by various life lessons--e.g., "Set an Example," "Have Fun on the Job," and "Benefit From Versatility"--the authors illuminate Mays' stellar career; service in the Army in the early 1950s; meetings with many U.S. presidents, with Barack Obama as the most special; and the similarities and differences between him and players of his own era, especially Hank Aaron, as well as modern stars such as Barry Bonds and Mike Trout. Despite the scandal involving Bonds' use of performance-enhancing drugs, Mays is adamant that he deserves entry into the Hall of Fame. Bob Costas provides the foreword, noting that "a strong case can be made for Willie Mays as the greatest all-around player in baseball history." A book primarily for baseball fans, but it offers plenty of material for readers interested in U.S. race relations. (color printed endpapers, 68 b/w photos) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Library Journal Review
Baseball legend Mays, with coauthor Shea (San Francisco Chronicle), presents 24 motivational themes within an autobiographical framework. Included are many never-before-told stories from Mays's youth, playing days in the Negro Leagues, the golden era of baseball in New York, the Giants's relocation to San Francisco, his Hall of Fame career, and his postretirement life as a public advocate for the game he loves. The athlete's upbeat personality shines even when discussing difficult topics such as the racism he faced on and off the field throughout his career playing for the New York-turned- San Francisco Giants and later the New York Mets. Readers seeking a comprehensive, more objective biography might prefer James S. Hirsch's Willie Mays, but this work offers a unique opportunity to hear Mays in his own words as he shares his enthusiasm for helping others to build a better world. VERDICT The iconic uniform number 24 is the inspiration for the life story of Mays, told in his own words. Baseball fans of all ages and anyone seeking inspiration will enjoy memories and motivation shared in a warm, joyous manner by the irrepressible Say Hey Kid.--Janet Davis, Darien P.L., CT
