14 Going on 24

Growing Up with Willie Mays

by Larry Hayes

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Pub Date 16 Jun 2026 | Archive Date 16 Jun 2026

Köehler Books

General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Sports

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Description

"A wonderfully nostalgic trek . . . capturing the cultural significance of my father's character and impact." -Michael Mays

He was the "Say Hey Kid," a baseball legend who redefined the game with unmatched speed, power, and flair. Willie Mays transcended the playing field to become an American icon who inspired generations and left an indelible mark on sport and society.

From the makeshift diamonds of Harlem and New York's quirky Polo Grounds to the dusty backroads of the Tidewater and San Francisco's glittering bayside ballpark, dive into the seldom-revealed personal events of this extraordinary man in 14 Going on 24: Growing Up with Willie Mays.

Share some of his most memorable life experiences and historic games as viewed through the eyes of a struggling teenage boy befriended by Mays. And then hold your breath to see if together they can bring hope to underprivileged kids by selflessly leveraging a long-forgotten physical remnant of Mays's early career.

"A wonderfully nostalgic trek . . . capturing the cultural significance of my father's character and impact." -Michael Mays

He was the "Say Hey Kid," a baseball legend who redefined the game with...

A Note From the Publisher

Larry Hayes writes fiction featuring hidden histories, thought-provoking multicultural themes, and powerful relationships. He pulls heartstrings and offers a few laughs while sharing unique tidbits of tantalizing background.He has been a 911 emergency dispatcher, a teacher, a tour guide, and worked for Major League Baseball. He has climbed the Sierra Nevada, taken photos from atop a tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, talked sign stealing with Barry Bonds, and is an expert at Band-Aid application. He and his wife often share their home in Northern California with four unusually inquisitive granddaughters.

Advance Praise

"Larry Hayes has written a splendid book on Willie Mays. . . . It feels real, as if you were side by side with the characters, including the Say Hey Kid himself. " -John Shea, national sportswriter and coauthor (with Willie Mays) of The New York Times bestseller 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid

"I found Mr. Hayes’ book 14 Going on 24: Growing Up With Willie Mays a wonderfully nostalgic trek through the subtle real-life nuances of our national pastime and its historical social influences. His ability to capture the cultural significance of my father’s character and impact as narrated through the Forrest Gump-like eyes of his central character was heartwarming."—Michael Mays, son of Willie, screenwriter, Founder/Chairman of the Youth Rescue Project

"A delightful coming-of-age story in 1950s New York with baseball at its core. Readers will be intrigued by the personal portrait of a young Willie Mays coming to the Giants."—Prof. Robert Garratt, Author of Home Team: The Turbulent History of the San Francisco Giants

"Larry Hayes has written a splendid book on Willie Mays. . . . It feels real, as if you were side by side with the characters, including the Say Hey Kid himself. " -John Shea, national sportswriter...

Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9798897471287
PRICE	$19.95 (USD)
PAGES	292

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