Description:
"A wonderfully nostalgic trek . . . capturing the cultural significance of my father's character and impact." -Michael Mays
He was the "Say Hey Kid," a baseball legend who redefined the game with unmatched speed, power, and flair. Willie Mays transcended the playing field to become an American icon who inspired generations and left an indelible mark on sport and society.
From the makeshift diamonds of Harlem and New York's quirky Polo Grounds to the dusty backroads of the Tidewater and San Francisco's glittering bayside ballpark, dive into the seldom-revealed personal events of this extraordinary man in 14 Going on 24: Growing Up with Willie Mays.
Share some of his most memorable life experiences and historic games as viewed through the eyes of a struggling teenage boy befriended by Mays. And then hold your breath to see if together they can bring hope to underprivileged kids by selflessly leveraging a long-forgotten physical remnant of Mays's early career.
Brief description: Larry Hayes writes fiction featuring hidden histories, thought-provoking multicultural themes, and powerful relationships. He pulls heartstrings and offers a few laughs while sharing unique tidbits of tantalizing background.He has been a 911 emergency dispatcher, a teacher, a tour guide, and worked for Major League Baseball. He has climbed the Sierra Nevada, taken photos from atop a tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, talked sign stealing with Barry Bonds, and is an expert at Band-Aid application. He and his wife often share their home in Northern California with four unusually inquisitive granddaughters.
Review Quotes:
"Larry Hayes has written a splendid book on Willie Mays. . . . It feels real, as if you were side by side with the characters, including the Say Hey Kid himself. " -John Shea, national sportswriter and coauthor (with Willie Mays) of The New York Times bestseller 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid
"Hayes weaves the era's historical context into his portrayal, leaving the reader feeling richer for taking the adventure." -Jack Bair, chief development officer, San Francisco Giants, and member of the board of directors of the Say Hey Foundation
"This book succeeds not only in its rich historical detail but also in illuminating the lesser-known interpersonal qualities of the great Willie Mays." -Dan Massey, Mensa member and five-time Society for America Baseball Research trivia champion
"A delightful coming-of-age story in 1950s New York with baseball at its core. Readers will be intrigued by the personal portrait of a young Willie Mays coming to the Giants." -Prof. Robert Garratt, author of Home Team: The Turbulent History of the San Francisco Giants
"This is a story everyone should read, not only if baseball is your favorite game but because it shows that Willie Mays, an American all-star, lived life like he played baseball-'the onliest way he knew how'-and it was spectacular on all levels." -Brandon Currence, Virginia state commissioner of Babe Ruth League, Inc., author of Looking for the Seams, The Maine Consecration, and The Bank
"The book is a wonderful look at some of the actual highlights of Willie Mays's life in and around baseball, brought out through enjoyable fictional characters as they tell the life story of the greatest baseball player of all time." -Marty Lurie, radio host, baseball historian
"A delightful and clever premise, beautifully executed." -Tom Thress, president of Retrosheet.org, author of Baseball Player Won-Loss Records
"A great read that often had me wondering what was fiction and what was nonfiction in this historical fiction narrative. KUDOS for such an inventive story that reads true to life." -Gary Mintz, author and founder of New York Giants Preservation Society
"Hope can begin with something as simple as one man playing stickball in the street with a couple of kids. A much-needed tonic for troubled times." -Alfredo Botello, author Spin Cycle: Notes From A Reluctant Caregiver