Willie Mays's Adopted Son Michael Was the First to Confirm the Legend's Death

Following a legendary professional career, Willie Mays has died at the age of 93. The news of Willie's death was confirmed by his son, Michael, through a statement to the San Francisco Giants.

Willie is widely considered to be 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 by the baseball player and his ex-wife, Marghuerite Wendell, in 1959. Michael has maintained a relatively low profile throughout his life, and didn't follow his father into baseball.

He did make headlines back in 1983 after he was arrested and charged with attempted murder after he allegedly shot a man during an argument over a car.

Michael maintained that the shooting was accidental, but he was convicted on the charge of assault with a deadly weapon and then served two years in prison. Michael's arrest and trial earned significant media attention at the time largely because of Michael's famous father. Michael's mother, Marghuerite, divorced Willie in 1963 and lived a quiet, private life until her death in 2010.

In addition to being one of the sport's undisputed icons, Willie also had one of the most important nicknames in the history of professional baseball. He was known as the "Say Hey Kid," and while the nickname became quite well known, its origins remain almost impossible to decipher. While Willie himself credited sportswriter Jimmy Cannon for the nickname, others have suggested that New York Journal-American writer Barney Kremenko.

The reason behind the nickname appears to be that Willie was well known for saying "hey" instead of "hello" whenever he greeted people. Barney was once quoted as saying that Willie "would blurt 'Say who,' 'Say what,' 'Say where,' 'Say hey.' In my paper, I tabbed him the '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 might not be super important, it's safe to say that the nickname itself became a huge part of Willie's legacy. Even though Willie stopped using the phrase himself, he seemed to be content with the fact that it remained his nickname. "Mays made no effort to set the record straight. He always enjoyed being 'the Say Hey Kid," one ESPN writer wrote.

Now, as we reflect on the immense legacy he left behind in sports, it's important to consider all the intangible ways that a great player can influence the game that they play. Willie Mays's legacy was not just his ability to contribute to winning. It was in the fun that he brought to the game, and in all the ways he proved that baseball integration would make the sport better.