San Francisco — On a cloudless Monday evening at Oracle Park, a heartfelt celebration of life was held for the legendary Willie Mays. The event was graced by notable figures, including Barry Bonds and former President Bill Clinton, who paid tribute to the baseball icon.
The gates of 24 Willie Mays Plaza were open to the public, and around 4,500 fans gathered to honor Mays, who passed away last month at the age of 93. The ceremony featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Mays’ godson Barry Bonds, former President Bill Clinton, and a recorded message from former President Barack Obama.
Barry Bonds, visibly moved, shared his memories of Mays, who he described as a second father. “Fifty-five years ago, you put your arm around a 5-year-old boy and said, ‘Hey kid, you’re coming with me.’ I knew at that moment what I wanted to be, and that was a professional baseball player like my father and Willie,” Bonds said, his voice filled with emotion.
Bonds’ remarks were followed by a touching message from former President Obama, who highlighted Mays’ impact on the civil rights movement. “A strong argument can be made that he is the greatest baseball player to have ever lived, but Willie Mays’ impact on our culture goes far beyond statistics,” Obama said. “As one of the major leagues’ first Black players, Willie’s excellence and the sheer beauty of his game ended up bridging our nation’s racial divide.”
Former President Bill Clinton, who was present at the event, shared his personal experiences with Mays. Clinton recounted their first meeting, where he spent three hours asking Mays questions “like a kid in a candy store.” He also shared a humorous anecdote about playing golf with Mays, who used old clubs with masking tape on them. “I said let me give you a set of golf clubs, and he said no. … He beat me anyway,” Clinton recalled, drawing laughter from the audience.
The celebration also featured remarks from Mays’ son, Michael, who became emotional while speaking about his father. “Thank you, Dad, for everything you taught me,” he said, his voice breaking. “You were not just a great baseball player, but a great father and a great man.”
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown spoke about Mays’ influence on housing laws in San Francisco. “Initially denied his residence of choice because of the color of his skin, Mays changed the housing laws in San Francisco and eventually California,” Brown said. “All because Willie Mays said fair housing is equal.”
The event was a testament to Mays’ far-reaching impact, both on and off the field. His contributions to baseball and society were celebrated by a diverse group of speakers, including fellow Hall of Famers, former teammates, and civic leaders.
Jon Miller, the master of ceremonies, guided the audience through Mays’ illustrious career, from his early days with the Birmingham Barons to his final games with the Giants. The ceremony also included performances by singer Andra Day and a spirited call and response of three “Say Hey” chants led by Malcolm Heinicke, the lawyer in charge of Mays’ “Say Hey” Foundation.
The celebration concluded with a heartfelt message from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. “Thank you, Willie Mays, for all your contributions. You were a true Giant of baseball,” Manfred said, encapsulating the sentiments of everyone present.
As the sun set over Oracle Park, the legacy of Willie Mays shone brightly, celebrated by those who knew him best and the fans who adored him. The event was a fitting tribute to a man who not only excelled on the baseball field but also made significant contributions to society.
Source: CBS/AP
