Catch Cable Car 24 & "Say Hey"
What a wonderful day to honor a true San Francisco Giant — Willie Mays — on his birthday. After a video message (posted below) from a special fan, President Barack Obama, and the dedication of the car by Mayor Ed Lee, the SF Giants' own Renel Brooks-Moon led those gathered in a warm round of "Happy Birthday!" To conclude the fesivities, Mays took the inaugural ride on the Willie Mays car. We hope this heartfelt celebration and gift from his adopted home town bring the Say Hey Kid many happy returns.
Willie Mays accepts the dedication of Cable Car 24 in his honor with SF Giants' Larry Baer, Mayor Lee and SFMTA Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin. They stand with a replica of the plaque affixed inside the cable car.
The remarks from President Obama were a surprise treat for the guest of honor and attendees.
San Francisco Dedicates Cable Car #24 as the "Willie Mays Car"
Friday, May 6, 2016
The City of San Francisco today dedicated Cable Car number 24 to baseball legend, Willie Howard Mays, Jr.. Today marks the Hall of Famer’s 85th birthday.
“Willie Mays is a legendary baseball player,” said Mayor Ed Lee. “But his connection to San Francisco goes beyond the baseball diamond. As a civil rights leader he paved the way for so many, as a role model he inspired kids to dream big, and as a humanitarian he has made the world a better place. Happy birthday to The Say Hey Kid!”
Cable Car 24 is a fitting choice to dedicate to Willie Mays. Not only was Mays’ uniform number 24, this cable car, originally built in 1887, was rebuilt by Muni craft workers to extend its life in 1958 - the year the Giants came to San Francisco. It is also the only cable car to make a “road trip” while still on the active roster, having represented San Francisco at the Chicago Railroad Fair in 1948 and in Los Angeles in 1950.
"What better way to honor one San Francisco icon than with another. Number 24 will keep climbing half way to the stars forever. The Say Hey Cable Car always," said Malcolm Heinicke, SFMTA Director of the Board, longtime lawyer and friend to Mays.
“Like San Francisco cable cars, the legend of Willie Mays is iconic,” said SFMTA Director of Transportation, Ed Reiskin. “While it may not move as fast as Mr. Mays, Cable Car 24 will forever pay tribute to The Say Hey Kid as it climbs San Francisco’ majestic hills.”
Mays is widely considered the game’s greatest living player and many consider him the greatest player ever. His number, 24, has been retired by the San Francisco Giants and will never be worn again by anyone else. In 1951, Mays became the star rookie of the New York Giants and won a world championship with them in 1954, making the most famous catch in baseball history.
Mays brought his game to San Francisco in 1958. In his 22 season career, he tied the record for most All-Star game appearances, hit 660 home runs and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
A plaque was mounted on the “Willie Mays Car” that reads: “Like San Francisco’s cable cars, Willie Mays is an icon for people around the world. ‘The Say Hey Kid’ is one of the greatest athletes in American history, and a model for all baseball players who came after him. His number 24 is retired by the San Francisco Giants.”
The interior of Cable Car 24 with the newly installed plaque dedicating the car to Mays.