THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE BESTSELLERThe legendary Willie Mays shares the inspirations and influences responsible for guiding him on and off the field in this reflective and inspirational memoir."Even if, like me, you thought you had pretty much read and heard all there was to read and hear about Willie Mays, this warmhearted book will inform and reward you. And besides, what true baseball fan can ever get enough of Willie Mays? Say Hey! Read on and enjoy." -From the Foreword by Bob Costas "It's because of giants like Willie that someone like me could even think about running for President." -President Barack ObamaWidely regarded as the greatest all-around player in baseball history because of his unparalleled hitting, defense and baserunning, the beloved Willie Mays offers people of all ages his lifetime of experience meeting challenges with positivity, integrity and triumph in 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid.Presented in 24 chapters to correspond with his universally recognized uniform number, Willie's memoir provides more than the story of his role in America's pastime. This is the story of a man who values family and community, engages in charitable causes especially involving children and follows a philosophy that encourages hope, hard work and the fulfillment of dreams."I was very lucky when I was a child. My family took care of me and made sure I was in early at night. I didn't get in trouble. My father made sure that I didn't do the wrong thing. I've always had a special place in my heart for children and their well-being, and John Shea and I got the idea that we should do something for the kids and the fathers and the mothers, and that's why this book is being published. We want to reach out to all generations and backgrounds. Hopefully, these stories and lessons will inspire people in a positive way." -Willie Mays

ForewordChapter 1. Set an Example: The Story of 24Chapter 2. Play Catch With Your Dad: The Story of Willie Howard Mays Sr.Chapter 3. Remember Your History: The Story of the Birmingham Black BaronsChapter 4. Take on a Challenge: The Story of Breaking Down BarriersChapter 5. Honor Your Mentors: The Story of Leo Durocher and Monte IrvinChapter 6. Act Like You've Been There Before: The Story of a Unique StyleChapter 7. Keep Your Eye on the Ball: The Story of the CatchChapter 8. Honor Your Peers: The Story of Willie, Mickey, and the DukeChapter 9. When Life Throws You a Curve, Go With the Pitch: The Story of the Polo GroundsChapter 10. Give it All You've Got: The Story of a Four-Homer DayChapter 11. Life and Baseball Aren't Fair: The Story of a Game of InchesChapter 12. Never Give Up: The Story of a 16-Inning ClassicChapter 13. Have Fun On the Job: The Story of All-Star PrideChapter 14. Your Foe Can Be Your Friend: The Story of a Heated RivalryChapter 15. You Can Go Home Again: The Story of a Return to New YorkChapter 16. Strive for Excellence: The Story of 1,415 Home RunsChapter 17. Respect Everyone Like Your Teammate: The Story of the Absurdity of RacismChapter 18. Follow Your Dreams: The Story of a Kinship with Barack ObamaChapter 19. Benefit from Versatility: The Story of a Five-Tool PlayerChapter 20. Embrace the Mental game: The Story of the Sixth ToolChapter 21. It's Not All About the Numbers: The Story of Life Beyond 660Chapter 22. Have Each Other's Back: The Story of a Good Friend's SonChapter 23. Stay Young At Heart: The Story of Three World Series RingsChapter 24. Make A New Friend: The Story of a Love Affair with FansIndexAcknowledgments