Who is Michael, the son of baseball legend Willie Mays?

After a legendary professional career, Willie Mays has passed away at the age of 93. The news of Willie’s death was confirmed by his son Michael, via a statement to the San Francisco Giants.

Willie is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential baseball players in the history of the game. Now, following the news of his death after a long life, many want to know who Willie’s son was and how he earned his incredible reputation.

Willie’s son Michael was adopted in 1959 by the baseball player and his ex-wife, Marghuerite Wendell. Michael has kept a relatively low profile throughout his life and has not followed his father into baseball.

He made headlines in 1983 after he was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting a man during an argument over a car.

Michael claimed the shooting was an accident, but he was convicted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and subsequently served two years in prison. Michael’s arrest and trial received significant media attention at the time, thanks in large part to Michael’s famous father. Michael’s mother, Marghuerite, divorced Willie in 1963 and led a quiet private life until her death in 2010.

Willie was not only one of the sport’s undisputed icons, but also had one of the most important nicknames in the history of professional baseball. He was known as the ‘Say Hey Kid’, and although the nickname became quite well known, its origins remain virtually impossible to decipher. While Willie himself nicknamed sportswriter Jimmy Cannon, others have suggested so New York Journal-American writer Barney Kremenko.

The reason behind the nickname appears to be that Willie was known for saying “hey” instead of “hello” when greeting people. Barney once said Willie “Say who,” “Say what,” “Say where,” “Say hey.” In my paper I called him ‘Say Hey Kid’. It stuck.”

That nickname stuck after several others had already failed, including “Willie the Wonder,” “the Amazin’ Mays” and the “Minneapolis Marvel.”

While the reason behind the nickname may not be that important, it’s safe to say that the nickname itself has become a big part of Willie’s legacy. Although Willie no longer used the phrase himself, he seemed content to let it remain his nickname. “Mays made no effort to set things right. He always enjoyed being ‘the Say Hey Kid,’” wrote an ESPN writer.

As we reflect on the immense legacy he left in the sport, it is important to consider all the intangible ways in which a great player can influence the game he plays. Willie Mays’ legacy wasn’t just his ability to contribute to victory. It was in the fun he brought to the game, and in every way he proved that baseball integration would make the sport better.