KRON 4 News at 6pm : KRON : June 18, 2024 6:00pm-6:31pm PDT : Free Borrow & Streaming : Internet Archive (2024)

>> from the bay area's local news station. we now with breaking news. >> and we start tonight with heartbreaking news out of san francisco where legendary giants outfielder willie mays has died. he was 93 years old. the giants just minutes ago posted on twitter that he passed away this afternoon and certainly, catherine, this is going to have ripple effects not throughout the bay area, but the sports world. he is a legendary figure by many, the best baseball player to ever play s and very much loved. we know, for example, the giants recently created a >> pop-up museum to honor him. we did just get word within the last day or 2 that he was not going to be able to attend a league tribute day. so we knew that he was not in great health, but i think this will still be maybe not a surprise, but just very sad news to a lot of people, of course, a beloved figure in the timing of this is poignant. you

mentioned the statement that will be released. it was just yesterday because the giants have this big game thursday of this week in birmingham, alabama, where may's began his career with the birmingham black barons of the league and the giants. you mlb's been working with the team to create this sort of special at this historic ballpark there. and he i'm sure wanted to go. but he said physically, he just can't get around. he said i'm with you in spirit. jason dumas is a in the newsroom and he has more. jason. >> guys hit the nail on the head just as you said, grant the giant their morning. right now, the loss of a great giant, a great hall of famer and like you said, one of the best baseball players, if not the best to ever walk this planet during his 23 year. major league playing career mays was named the most valuable player twice first as a new york giant in 1954. and then as a san francisco giant

in 1965 holds, the all-time record for put out by an outfielder with career total of 7,000 in 95. he won 12 gold glove in center field and appeared in 24 all-star games. he led the league in home, runs 4 times stolen bases for time slugging percentage 5 times total bases 3 times in triples 3 times. he was 3rd on the all-time home run list with 600 in 60 until 2003 one, barry bonds past him. now, that's just the impact that he's made on the field. as you guys know, just impact he's made off the field in the world of sports, breaking barriers being one of the pioneer is to break into the majors and obviously that game on thursday and alabama is happening in big part because of willie mays. they want to. show and go back to the site of where he played baseball

where some of the barriers were broken in the sport and you can talk about professional sports and write the history of professional sports without willie mays. that's just how impactful he has been to the world of sports, not just the world of baseball. obviously he's beloved across the country. but more specifically he is beloved here in the bay area. so that e-mail that got sent down by the giants at 5.52. just really sent shock waves through our newsroom and i'm sure sending shock waves as people are getting the alert right now that willie mays has passed away. i got the pleasure to meet him a couple different times over the last 6 years. and obviously he's just one of those bigger than life when you meet him, him. my producer pete look petty and i were fortunate enough to spend some time with him a couple months back during a a preview of the documentary. so it's just a huge loss in the

world of sports he will be missed. and of course, we'll have more updates, information and honor his life throughout the night right here on kron 4. yeah, jason, we saw a picture of >> willie mays in former president obama. that was when may's got the presidential medal of freedom the greatest giant, maybe the greatest player ever getting the nation's highest honor. so he really transcended sport and he's going to go down as one of the most influential people of the past 100 years. yeah. and even into his 90's, it's been pointed out, you know, he was making fairly frequent. >> this is visits to the giants ballpark and seemed love technology and people and talking to people and at his hype really made it look like fun. it was always on his mind to entertain the crowd and to make look like fun. and he. he was a famous for that. joining us now as we continue okay,

jason, we still have you yet. i'm still here. you said you met him a couple times, it had to be. >> so real, at least the first time. what was he like can you describe your interactions? >> yeah, you know, he's one of those guys i've i've notice it's similar of those of his generation. he just has a voice to kind of put you at ease for lack of a better word. and he's like everything. yes, he says it is. it's like free game. it sounds like he's just giving you a wisdom. he's one of those people. he talks. you listen, you know, he's been through so much the good, the bad, the ugly, you know of our country. he's endured it all and to be able to go through that accomplish what he's had has on the field off the field. make way for a future generations of players. a guy like that. every time you hear him talk, you just sit and listen and you know, some some athletes who have been through all of that and have such a

stature that has day, you know, aren't that approachable in some instances, you kind of understand it because, you know, they always have to be turned on. and everybody always in his face. but will he was not like that. you know, you talk mean, obviously, you know his story. but if you didn't know his story, you have no idea that he was this larger than life figure you know, it's bears affluence that have come through the bay area. obviously that, you know, just have been the top of their sport. you think steph curry think barry bonds? you know, the list can go on. but when when you talk about willie mays that just transcends sports, you know, yes, civil rights in this country and his name pops right up and he know endured a lot. obviously, you know, don't even have to get into it is just, you know, the history and to do that and still play baseball at a high level in commander, a spec of your peers is just he's one of

those guys. as i said, you, when you talk about the history of american sport, regardless of what that sport is, you can't write that story without willie mays and willie mays. we'll be right in chapter one. so that is the you know, that somebody who is a heavyweight in our country. yeah, i was just looking at some of the zillions quotes praise coming in. >> including of years ago, i'm not even sure she was a baseball fan, but a famous actress name to little bank head. so there have been only 2 authentic geniuses in the world. willie mays and william shakespeare. so it's wasn't diehard baseball fans, jason. i mean, people knew my loved him. they respected him as a just a genius. so what he did? yeah, there's just there's athletes who come around who buy by the time, you know, their their their life are playing career is over. >> they're not just known as athletes and he's one of those guys. he just he transcends sports and that's really hard

to do. you know, one, you know, heart is just as hard i don't know how other way to put it in. he did it. he did it with grace, humility. and a spirit that just kind of refused to break regardless of some of the things he had to indoor and even like you said, catherine, as of late, he still was getting to oracle park when he can. he was still a mentor to so many current players, former players. you know, i'm sure we will hear from barry bonds at some point they had a great relationship just, you know, he was a pioneer in the world of sports. of course, he was a pioneer here in the bay area and, you know, it's just it's it's coincidental that that game is on thursday. now we knew he wasn't going to go just because is this. was hard for him to get around at this point in the life and at 93. but the giants are playing

right now. but on thursday, there will be in alabama and obviously willie mays is one of the main reasons why that game is so significant. so it is going to be a very emotional day. i'm sure in alabama, but of course, is going to be an emotional day over the next couple of days, especially for that san francisco giants franchise in, you know, soon as that game is over, i'm sure that will be the first question that bob melvin giants manager is asked remember, bob melvin is a bay area native himself. he was a major league player, obviously, he managed the oakland a's as well. and now he's with the giants. so he's going to have some very unique insight. when we hear from bob melvin. once game wraps up in chicago. all right. well, jason, appreciate your perspectives and thoughts and we'll be back to you. >> later in this hour. but now we want to go to san francisco chronicle, sports columnist

scott ostler who is live with us on the phone. scott. no one better really to give perspective on the passing of of willie mays and someone who's seeing him play the new your initial reaction when you heard the news tonight. >> well, first of all, i don't buy best. you know, john shea was tight friends with everything, but but i did get she willing play and i didn't get to talk few times and it was a throw. my reaction i guess not unexpected because i know it been declining in recent years so it was not told we have a move just as a shock. but, you know, i flash back and and so many memories. i was a kid first started to watch baseball. you know, major, just a it was a riveting, a player. you just. compelled you to watch him. he was very theatrical. he played with a certain flair and enjoy that. you just don't see, you little things like when chase fly ball is have a well, he

did that on purpose because he knows look cool. you were had a little too small. so it fly off because he liked it that you'd like to put on the show. made catches in center field. you know, he catch the ball up high above your head. will did his best? can get where you got the ball down as because it was cool. dress. cool. look cool. with me on that. i think willie did as much. maybe too. this sent dish. he does as much to integrate baseball. and some was jackie robinson did because really came on. 51, which 4 years after jackie. but baseball is still far from integrated. many teams didn't have a black player and it was still out great, really popular idea. among a lot of people and need players not only in play and perform but who had a certain presence. and and and had sort of dignity in and style and everything. it just president

obama told john shea with gentian road is book. he said. willie mays made it impossible to be a racist. so he just he just so much for baseball. you know, that he's saying that we talk about the warriors as steve kerr preaches. joy, right? and that's always been the the warriors trademark. willie mays was joy. that's what he was about. >> scott new underline something that, you know, we all heard about his his charisma, his effervescent says i love the detail of the hat flying off on purpose because it looked cool. but he wanted to make it fun for people. >> here's something the late bill rigby who was the first manager of the san francisco giants win. they would care i i would try write a book with him once he told me a lot of stories and some about willw and use that one-time willie early in his career was playing winter ball. like puerto rico and but it's like that and play winter ball. so he's playing one about what was playing center field and right fields, roberto clemente, the great that's for right fielder. who is part of

the bridge right field field of all time. you've got the great center field of all time. the bridge right there all time. what? we'll get a couple times. you know, there's bay set out to center field and will he would go to feel that throw back in and he would let the ball go through his legs like hoops air. rivera for many would be right behind and company have the greatest are baseball history. and so he would got governor down. was that like truck? they needed. and it was just williams. i was thinking and he you know, in spring training, probably 35 years ago, i was around the giants and he was pastor, then asked him do an interview and he started. got from the story about how when you play center field, he would basically call the game from center field. he would signal to the catcher. this is what we're going to do with hitter. you know, to start with fastballs, what are you catch? what signal from willie related to the picture? so running again for center field. he brilliant baseball

player. so for martin, just the whole package. >> scott, that's incredible. that's an incredible nugget. and the kachin, let's say good eyes tend to see the all the way the end in center field. >> and one of know where the things about mazen, his legacy >> you know, his relationship with the bonds family, teammate of of bobby's with the giants. and then later became a mentor to, of course, to to bury his godfather. what is your understanding of, you know, the importance of that relationship for everybody involved >> well, from what i understand, what i've heard and observed a little bit, but mostly heard is that willie was a great influence on very because, you know, very grown-up always well, he's working this kind of a wild child. and then in some ways, emotionally out of control and then. just a not that the

route of times, william would kind of rain that and would get counselor to up and like an adviser, fatherly type thing, especially after the natural father died. well, it was always around and we'll us became so like barry's father, you know, he would advise them. you should do this. you shouldn't do this. you should take care of this put kind of brought some stability to various life, i think and also some. you know, some leadership and some, you barry didn't have a lot of people cheering for him. you know, you you need very that's kind of a stephen. lot of people have that impression. well, really, you know, go with that believes that this this guys like my my kid in a way and i'm going to treat them like that and just show them a lot. a lot of an n direction and just, you know, pat him on the back stuff like that, which which very needed. so he was big influence number. >> yeah, and you know, must have loved and appreciated scott also may catch there.

you that could catch your that was a that's called a catch. quick story yet. time for a pass will go to it. probably 6 or 7 years ago. and white clark debate. that's sort of football player he was he would die. and then diagnosed the disease. and you. >> had a few months left to go i set up a photo, dwight and we'll together well. he made his caption coursed white was famous for his catch of the joe montana touchdown. and i that front photo beach. the catch is they had hold their own photo of this. this catch you know where to my idea was make sell these make makes a print out and saw charity and so forth and agreed to do it in. so the photo session great willie was just phenomenal with with with why treated him like his big brother. just dwight was blown away. and

just was almost in tears. it was so happy. meet will and so thrilled and honored. but before that i call it is that was that what how u.s. house is going get the money for this? and i heard that was careful with his money because, you know, that's how years money in those days was from monographs and things like they should selling his name and he didn't just give stuff away. so i ok, was going say he wants a certain amount of money and will he said? he said has way, and they said he's doing very well will will he said? i want to die down all the money. >> yeah. the kind of guy was. yeah, scott, i love that. you're looking at the video and you're saying, hey, look, there's the catch. we have to go to break. but scott sports columnist for the chronicle. i love your stories and thank you for your time. >> saturday. but great honor of the >> yeah. love love to be able the good times. there are so n -

many that but the chronicle, we'll be right back with more coverage on the passin

welcome back to our breaking news coverage of the death of willie mays. we just learned when giants announced this about 25 minutes ago that the hall of famer, the legend has died today at the age of 93. >> and going to be joined now by steve cron are with chronicle. steve, local guy, you i know you've done just about everything but to have you met him. what was your

reaction to hearing about the death of willie mays? >> i mean, grand prix, she have me on >> it's a it's a mixture of feelings. be honest. it was not a surprise willie has been has been. not great health for a long time. so it's not a surprise, but it still. terribly sad. and, you know, i grew up. going to games at candlestick watching willie mays a long time ago. i used to work when competitors kpi act in the 1992. i got to go to mister mazes house interview hitting 4 a story and, you know, we get to a certain point this business. we're supposed to be >> you know, you don't pinch yourself for that kind of thing. but to be honest, when i went into willie mays, his house and so all the gold glove and all these trophies and spent 20 minutes, 30 minutes talking to him. 32 years later, it still

resonates with me and not it's one of the greatest experiences of my life. >> say where did he live? what was the house like? take us behind the scenes. >> he lived in africa and i don't think the last few years he is live there pretty live in african for a long time. it was a very nice out. i don't remember the house much. and i remember just being in the presence of willie mays for an extended period of time. and i do remember seeing all the gold >> along mantle along the wall and he was he was eminent or extremely gracious n the the interview went well and again, i i didn't have a whole lot interaction with mister ma's beyond that day, but that still, you know, in my professional career that's got to be in the no i better was i kind of want to hear more about it, too. >> i mean, he was known to be a charismatic and you're pointing out very gracious. tell us more you know what it

was like to interact with them. and he was a charismatic guy. >> right. i will see this she got emotional. i asked come about. we know what he missed about the game. and at one point that, you know, wilson, even then he'd been retired for what, 20 years, 19 years. he said at some point it still was hard for him to watch the news because you missed it so much. but then, you know, in the next statement he'd say how much he enjoyed watching. barry bonds at the time. and i'm sure enjoyed watching ricky henderson. he loved the game and the game. love him. you know, i think it's fair to say that it's hard to have a definitive go anything. i don't really like that phrase very much. but if there was a gold in baseball, certainly in my life time. i think what happened, willie mays. >> people talk about the charisma and the smile and the showmanship. but i imagine that you didn't. you know, i i

don't know your age, but you say you saw him play. guessing you didn't see him in his prime. but, you know, we've all seen the videos on youtube by now and and what is your sort of understanding of of just how ali he was in every facet of the game. >> yeah, he was the classic 5 tool player with 5 tools being able to hit hit for power. run winfield and he was in if you go back in. talk to some of his teammates and the like he was like another manager on the field. you would direct the the corner outfielder to play with reference to where he was playing the new the opposing team's lineup better and probably anybody he he was one of those guys had it all. he had the physical tools and the baseball iq to be is as the successful in charismatic and entertaining as he was. >> i love some of the rating.

steve leo durocher once said if he could cook, i'd marry referencing the fact you could do anything. okay. you're mentioning he's a baseball intellect and i'm saying there's a lot about that that the somebody i think was bonds. in fact, barry bonds said his baseball iq is off the charts so that how do they mean? >> well, i mean, in terms of play positioning yourself it defensively, knowing not only what the future is going to do, but what the picture is probably going throw in that situation made was a great base runner. he stole a lot of bases but stealing bases isn't only what makes a great base runner. he knew when to go from first to 3rd on a single, you know, when not to go from first to on a single there were times i don't think this is a possible i'm pretty sure remember this in the late 60's when willie god rest his soul was. you as as almost great hitter is maze, that may's would hit in front of. maccabi

and there will be times made could hit a ball, hit a ball. that could be a double but he wouldn't take second base because he didn't want the opposing team. so then intentionally walked. willie mccovey. you have to have some baseball elect to be that. that quick. and in in that incident to have that kind president you that he again he had the physical tools to be as great as he was and what elevated him to be even better with the intangible, the eye, the baseball iq that made him the player was and and the legend. he is. >> willie, as the kids say was playing chess. not yeah. hey, steve won a the timing of it is almost of 3rd with what's going on thursday in birmingham and the significance of that, not only for major league baseball, but for the giants organization and obviously willie's involvement with the the

birmingham black parents to start his career. how do put into perspective? you know, willie's passing 2 days before that. >> yeah, one those things were it's either terribly sad maybe put an end in better to take care of and happily up if that's right, we're poignant. >> there aren't many leaguers left. sadly. and and now willie isn't either. but it. we're going to talk about the leagues over the past 20 years and the man who would get the most recognition would be williy mays and the fact that major league baseball it's put it would put on this is putting on this event that rick would feel obviously was a tribute to the entire view grow leagues. but let's be honest. it also specifically for willie mays. they would it would have been obviously much better what were able to get there. but the fact that he

happened 2 days before the event, i think the event will take on the even greater more meaning for. organization for giants fans and for baseball fans all over the fact that you think thursday night will be the night that everyone who got the pleasure watching mister ma's play sport. you people probably the vast majority of people out didn't get to see him play but just know of him in and what he did beyond career. i thursday night will be one of the. more memorable night in the history of baseball. >> i better well, hey, you're pointing out and and you're right. that's terribly surprising he has been bad health for a time. but he also was one of those people. i mean, steve, that have kind of thought would be there forever. i mean, generations of people knew and loved to say, hey, kid, and it might be

kind of hard to grasp betty. betty is gone. >> yeah. i mean, that's what this what he last played in the major here. i'm at coliseum right now, the likely that the oakland coliseum in the 1973 world series for the new york that so his career it's been over for more than 50 years, but because he's driven a little more 50 years, one, he's he was alive for that time. but you just think about how many people, again, either we're lucky enough to see him play or we're told, i told my about how goodwillie out with and what a pleasure it was watch him play and told daughter that too. and i'm sure i would not the individual who did that with children and grandchild. willie mays synonymous with the giants and a lot of ways honest with major league baseball. so this is one of those days that, again, not.

sadly, it's their belief that it's not completely unexpected. but i think the next few days, particularly thursday at rickwood rickwood fieldu >> it will be a great way to pay tribute to. >> my opinion, the greatest baseball player of the list. >> steve, a you know, baseball nerds are very familiar one of maybe the greatest hitter of all time, just pure hitting ted williams. how he missed several years to fly in world war 2. but willie mays also missed, you a year of his in the korean war. he miss the 1953 seasonably the the whole season in a sport that is obsessed with statistics and numbers. it's hard to imagine that his career numbers would have been even more gaudy had that not happened. >> to think that that regard 1, one right grant. you're

tv

TOPIC FREQUENCY

Willie Mays 14, Willie 9, Us 5, Jason 5, Alabama 4, Giants 3, San Francisco 3, Barry Bonds 3, Barry 2, Scott 2, San Francisco Giants 2, Obama 2, Oakland 2, Steve 2, Birmingham 2, Bob Melvin 2, Catherine 2, New York 2, Betty 2, Jackie 1

Notes

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code).

info Stream Only