“His new memoir will remind fans of why we love baseball so much, and also, now, of why we miss it.” ―Tyler Kepner, The New York Times

“…the nostalgic 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid is a welcome treat. It’s also a salute to what the game used to be, not only before the pandemic but before it got too big. Back when it was a game played for the love of it, by guys who still lived in the neighborhood.” ―Jacqueline Cutler, New York Daily News

“Eloquent and inspirational, Mays’ words serve as a glue for the text, bringing readers inside the clubhouse at pivotal moments and revealing Mays’ philosophy on sports, camaraderie and a life well lived. More than a baseball history, “24” feels akin to a fireside chat with a sports hero brimming with wisdom.” ―Zack Ruskin, San Francisco Chronicle Datebook

“Shea chronicles Mays’s life and legacy with attention, detail, and awe…[a] definitive work about a living legend.” ―Publishers Weekly

“[Mays’] upbeat personality shines even when discussing difficult topics…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.” ―Library Journal (starred review)

“This unusual mix of memoir, self-help, and baseball history…drives home the point that there’s never been anyone quite like number 24.” ―Booklist

“Terrific . . . It is a must read.” ―Forbes.com

Praise for Willie Mays:

“It’s because of giants like Willie that someone like me could even think about running for president.” ―President Barack Obama

“We sat and talked a long time about baseball, which really helped me more than anything in the world, sitting and talking to him about baseball.” ―Hank Aaron

“Willie’s the greatest all-around player of all time. You listen to his stories, you learn so much…. Nobody tells stories like Willie.” ―Dave Roberts, 2016 National League Manager of the Year

WILLIE MAYS, nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid”, was an MLB center fielder for 22 seasons with the New York/San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets. He won two National League MVP awards, ended his career with 660 home runs, and won a record-tying 12 Gold Glove awards. Mays shares the record of most All-Star Games played with 24, the same number as his jersey. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.

JOHN SHEA is an author of four baseball books and biographer of Willie Mays and Rickey Henderson. He’s the national baseball writer at the San Francisco Chronicle and a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He has covered baseball for nearly four decades including the past 33 years in the Bay Area. He’s seen on MLB Network.