The Book Shop West Portal is hosting Larry Hayes in celebration of the release of his new book, 14 Going on 24: Growing Up with Willie Mays, a wonderfully nostalgic account of an American icon who remains such a pinnacle of San Francisco's history. Joining Hayes in conversation will be the esteemed Giants reporter John Shea,who co-wrote with Willie Mays their New York Times best-seller 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid. Please join us for an evening celebrating Mays and hearing about Hayes' new book.
This event is FREE to attend. Seating is first-come, first-served. (RSVPs are optional, but encouraged for the host's planning purposes.)
About the Book:
"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.
About the Author:
Larry Hayes writes fiction featuring hidden histories, thought provoking multi-cultural themes and powerful relationships. He pulls heart strings 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.
About the Conversation Partner:
John Shea is The San Francisco Standard’s Giants reporter. John was a nationally lauded baseball writer for the San Francisco Chronicle for 25 years. He’s written five books about baseball, including co-writing with Willie Mays their New York Times best-seller 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kidand Rickey Henderson’s autobiography, Off Base: Confessions of a Thief. He was also a consulting producer in the 2022 HBO documentary, Say Hey, Willie Mays!
DATE: Mon, 6/22/2026
TIME: 7:00pm
PLACE:
Bookshop West Portal
80 West Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127