The city by the bay has hit a home run, marking February 4 as "Willie Mays Day" in San Francisco, in a nod to the baseball legend's jersey number, 24. In an announcement synced with the calendar's 2/4/24 date, Mayor London Breed declared the celebration in honor of one of the greatest players to grace the diamond. Iconic landmarks such as San Francisco City Hall, Coit Tower, and the Salesforce Tower will shine bright in Giants Orange to commemorate the occasion, as reported by sf.gov.
Adding to the festivities, the classic Cable Car #24, dubbed the "Willie Mays Car," will ring its bell at 2:24 p.m. and offer rides for fans throughout the day in tribute to Mays. "It is an incredible honor to commemorate a player who needs no introduction, Willie Mays, for his mark on professional baseball, San Francisco, and the world," Mayor Breed said. "When the opportunity arises to commemorate occasions like this, we must stop and celebrate the legends like Willie Mays whose skills have inspired generations and whose legacy makes our City shine," Breed's statement obtained by sf.gov detailed.
Mays' storied career spanned 22 seasons, capturing the hearts of baseball aficionados with his 24 All-Star Game appearances, two MVP titles, and his 1979 induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His legacy extends beyond the field with the Say Hey! Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club named after him, and the Giants Community Fund’s Willie Mays Scholars program. Giants CEO Larry Baer told sf.gov, "To sports fans around the globe, Willie’s accomplishments and persona as the 'Say Hey Kid' resonate every day."
Notable figures in the Giants history, such as Mays' godson Barry Bonds and team CEO Larry Baer, joined Mayor Breed earlier in the week, to accept the proclamation on Mays' behalf. "It’s an honor to be with the Mayor to celebrate my godfather on 2-4-24," Bonds expressed, “No one deserves it more than him. Say Hey." These sentiments come from a sf.gov report. The city plans to continue celebrating Mays, culminating in a marquee game against the St. Louis Cardinals in June at Rickwood Field, the very grounds where Mays' professional journey began.
