Willie Mays

The Life, The Legend

By: James S. Hirsch

Narrated by: Adam Grupper

Length: 27 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Willie Mays is arguably the greatest player in baseball history, still revered for the passion he brought to the game. He began as a teenager in the Negro Leagues, became a cult hero in New York, and was the headliner in Major League Baseball's bold expansion to California. He was a blend of power, speed, and stylistic bravado that enraptured fans for more than two decades. Now. James Hirsch reveals the man behind the player.

Mays was a transcendent figure who received standing ovations in enemy stadiums and who, during the turbulent civil rights era, urged understanding and reconciliation. More than his records, his legacy is defined by the pure joy that he brought to fans and the loving memories that have been passed to future generations so they might know the magic and beauty of the game. With meticulous research and drawing on interviews with Mays himself as well as with close friends, family, and teammates, Hirsch presents a brilliant portrait of one of America's most significant cultural icons.

©2011 James S. Hirsch (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Willie Mays had everything--except a first-rate biography. That omission has now been addressed by James S. Hirsch, who has produced a piece of artistry worhty of Mays in center field." (Bloomberg.com)

"James Hirsch has written an enormously entertaining and wide-ranging biography - a fitting tribute to Mays... and a thoughtful account of the complex and often misunderstood man.... True baseball fans will delight in the author's edge-of-seat game reports and picture-perfect descriptions of Mays' superlative talents.... This is a superb baseball book, but it's also a riveting narrative of Mays' life and times." ( Seattle Times)

"A terrific new biography... [an] always engaging and enlightening book... A wonderful introduction to the magical life of one of the finest athletes ever." ( San Francisco Chronicle)

if you are a giants fan a must read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

only if they like baseball

Who was your favorite character and why?

Willie

Which scene was your favorite?

Polo grounds

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

yes

Any additional comments?

I grew up in the bay area so I am biased

even if you don’t like baseball...

... but if you do, this chock full of amazing tidbits, as well as a complete story of of one of the US great athletes. They sugar coat very little, and we get the inside baseball (pun intended) on stories you know.

Ruined by terrible narration

It’s a good and solid retelling of the great May’s life., unfortunately it’s marred by a goofy narrator who, ostensibly, doesn’t know diddly about baseball and can’t pronounce famous players names like Marichal and Cepeda or, as he calls them - Jim BOOTIN and Tom HOLLER. It’s maddening and will make real fans nuts. Further, it’s publicized as having an interview with the ads Hey Kid but it’s not on this spoken version of the book. I wished I’d simply gotten the book and read it myself.

More than a baseball book

Hear about the Civil Rights movement and life lessons through the life of the greatest baseball player of all time, Willie Mays.

Great book

Loved every second of the story of my all time favorite. Made me love Willie more

I love the Willie Mays story!

Willie Mays is the greatest baseball player of all time! And not only that, but a good man too.

WIllie Mays:The Life, The Legent is one of best sport biographies that I have read

An excellent book. A good read for any sport's fan and a must read for a Giant fan and especially a Willie Mays fan in which I'm proud to be one of probably millions.

Mays Still Hits The Ball Out of the Park

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The book did a very good job of giving a broad spectrum view of a simple, hard working man, who overcame much, remained very humble and did a lot of good for humanity, even to this day at age 80

What was one of the most memorable moments of Willie Mays?

His caring for Johnny Roseboro durning a brawl between the Giants and Dodgers showed the depth of his character and his humanness.

What does Adam Grupper bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brought old memories back to life as if they were actually happening anew.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hearing of Mays' care for his ailing wife, who has now, just recently, passed away.

Any additional comments?

All baseball fans deserve to learn about Willie Mays and to see how he contributed in a very different way than "Number 21" in bringing the black athlete up in society in general.

The GOAT

Thank You! This book reminded me of why I love Willie Mays so much...He will always be the GOAT in my opinion!

Willie Mays the greatest baseball player who ever played the game.

It’s the best baseball book that I have ever read or listened to ever. Willie Mays is the greatest baseball player who ever played the game. There’s never ever going to be a baseball player as great as Willie Mays. I recommend that every baseball fan should read or listen to this book on Willie Mays who is the best baseball player whoever lived to play the game.