24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid by Willie Mays and John Shea
Review by Hannah Hobbs
Growing up, I can remember my grandpa reeling off baseball stats like
it was his second language. One of his favorite players to discuss was
Willie Mays. Mays was an iconic baseball player, as he redefined the
game for the decades and players to come. However, he also redefined
what it meant to be a black man playing a sport that was popularly
perceived as white at the time and only newly desegregated.
Each chapter of 24 is set up as a different life story, or lesson,
that Mays learned throughout his life and career. There are 24
chapters, or lessons, in the book. The book is set up to clearly
differentiate between Willie's voice and commentary from Shea, which I
appreciated as a reader. My favorite chapter was "Embrace the Mental
Game: The Story of the Sixth Tool." Detailed in the chapter, Mays was
said to have an incredible ability to coach the players around him and
was able to visualize the entire field when he was playing. Shea
writes in the book, "When Mays reflects on modern-day players,
especially outfielders, he's intrigued by those able to display the
most tools." The follow-up quote from Mays is telling. "What about the
sixth [tool]? Can he think?" Thinking defined May's game, and set him
apart from other legendary players he shared the field with.
Baseball fans, readers of nonfiction or history, or anyone with a
desire to learn more about distinguished figures in the past century
will all enjoy 24. I am looking forward to sharing this book with my
grandpa, as I know he'll have some things to add! Check out 24: Life
Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid at your local ARVRLS branch
today!
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