SAN DIEGO — The baseball world mourned the news that the "Say-Hey Kid" died Tuesday afternoon. Willie Mays was 93-years-old.
An Alabama native, Mays played most of his 23-year career with the New York and San Francisco Giants. He was a 24 time all-star who belted more than 600 homers, nearly 3,300 hits and 12 gold gloves.
Now, he is remembered as one of the best baseball players in history and as an exceptional person.
San Diegan Jackson Mueke is a former batboy for the Giants. He worked alongside Mays from 1960 to 1964.
"His laugh was infectious, he brought a lot of energy to the clubhouse. He was enormously respected by everybody and loved by everybody," Mueke said.
Mueke racked up a number of stories to tell over those four summers at the Giants' spring training in Phoenix.
“One of the greatest moments of my life as a 12-year-old was Willie Mays came over to me and said, 'grab a glove, let's play catch' and I'm 12-years-old and this, in my mind, is the greatest player to play the game and I'm playing catch with him on the field” Mueke said.
He tells us his favorite memory is when he was told to sit next to Mays on the bus.
"He fell asleep and he gradually leaned over, and he had crushed me against the window and and I went comatose, I did not move, I barely breathing," Mueke said. "That was two hours in time that I'll never, ever forget."
Along with memories, Mueke is left with a collection of memorabilia. He has his old batboy jerseys, a picture with Willie McCovey, a number of signed items, a number 24 Giants jersey and much more.
"It was probably 15 years ago, that's the last time I saw him," Mueke said. "I was wanting to track him down to get him to autograph his 24 jersey but wasn't able to."
Now, Mueke and the baseball community will remember one of the greats as an all-star player and person.
"Willie Mays exemplified, to me, the joy that is baseball and the professionalism and the great spirit that you know baseball can bring to a community," Mueke said.
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