CNN
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If you subscribe to the theory that Willie Mays was the greatest baseball player who ever lived, consider “Say Hey, Willie Mays!” extra ammo for bar arguments, plus lots of fun. Add to that the fact that the 91-year-old Giants star lends his voice to the proceedings, and it’s a solid HBO documentary for anyone who loves the game, with one glaring mistake.
A winner of 12 Golden Gloves, a hitter of 660 home runs, a record 24 All-Star Games participant and recipient of President Obama’s Presidential Medal of Freedom, Mays was “the most spectacular baseball player who ever played.” says Reggie Jackson, while prompting late Dodgers announcer Vin Scully to marvel, “’Most of us were absolutely blown away by his overall ability. »
Largely raised by his aunts after his parents separated, Mays came out of baseball estranged before the Giants poached him from the Negro League. Mays immediately wowed fans and was widely accepted by white America, so much so that director Nelson George can incorporate amusing snippets from his incongruous appearances on sitcoms like Donna Reed’s show.
At the same time, Mays drew criticism for her reluctance to speak out on civil rights, eventually prompting trailblazer Jackie Robinson to publicly accuse Mays — who “wasn’t outwardly political,” as Bob puts it. Costas – to “concern only about his safety”. like a big star. This was true despite the racism Mays himself faced, including being initially denied the opportunity to buy a house in an upscale San Francisco neighborhood.
As well as enjoying listening to Mays’ memoirs, George uses the format to provide a bounty of his exploits on the field, dissecting feats like Vic Wertz’s legendary fly ball over the shoulder during the World Series. from every conceivable angle. . “Say Hey” also deals with baseball-centric issues, such as the ill-chosen location of San Francisco’s Candlestick Park, where high winds knocked down balls that would have been home runs elsewhere, blunting Mays’ stats.
So where is the error? Interviewees include Mays’ godson, Barry Bonds, and note that Mays played a pivotal role in bringing him to the Giants in 1993. Yet while Bonds’ thoughts on Mays’ talents prove a welcome addition, there’s obviously no mention of the steroid scandal that tarnished Bonds’ records and it kept him and others out of the Hall of Fame, an asterisk worthy omission if there is never had one.
Putting that aside, “Say hello, Willie Mays!” is the kind of treat to help baseball fans through the postseason, giving Mays his due while he’s still here to bow out. It’s a gift for baseball fans who saw him play before he hung up that golden glove nearly 50 years ago, and perhaps even more for those who didn’t.
“Say hello, Willie Mays!” premieres Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO, which, like CNN, is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery.
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