by Willie Mays
First published 2020
Willie Mays opens his heart in this personal memoir, sharing the experiences that shaped him into one of baseball's greatest players. The Say Hey Kid takes readers through 24 chapters, each corresponding to his famous uniform number, revealing how family guidance kept him grounded during his rise to stardom. Mays explores the influences that guided his approach both in the batter's box and in his community work with children. He describes meeting challenges with determination and maintaining integrity throughout his legendary career. The memoir moves beyond statistics and game highlights to show how Mays developed his philosophy of hope and hard work. He credits his father with steering him away from trouble and his family with providing the foundation for his success. Mays explains his motivation for writing the book stems from his desire to reach people across all generations and backgrounds. The stories he tells aim to inspire readers to pursue their dreams while staying true to their values. This memoir captures the wisdom of a man who values community service and believes in the power of positive thinking.
Genres: 20th-century, american, sports, biography-memoir, baseball
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: inspirational, personal-growth
Period: 20th Century
352 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press