It’s easy to look at Willie Mays now as a legend, but forget how popular a player he was during his time.
This rare footage of the “Say Hey Kid” playing stickball is a reminder how beloved the Giants legend was in New York City during his illustrious career.
The black and white video shows Mays, a 24-time All-Star, playing in the streets with excited children and also in front of awed adults.
Mays, who hit 660 career home runs, died on Thursday.
“My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” Mays’ son, Michael, said in a statement.
Mays also famously batted Yankees legend Mickey Mantle in the first episode of the “Home Run Derby” show, which in 1960 and took place in Wrigley Field in Los Angeles.
The televised “Home Run Derby” games, which aired 26 games, included nine innings and anything other than a home run, or a pitch taken that was called a strike, was an out.
Mays also faced Washington Senators star Bob Ellison in the series.
This event was a forerunner to the Home Run Derby, which has been the day before the All-Star game since 1985.