Quote #1: "He wasn't just my father, he way my friend. He always supported me and never hollered at me. He was a positive influence and always had an upbeat attitude on life, and I've always strived for those things. He wasn't always around, but he taught me about life and baseball. I was so far ahead of the other kids because of what my dad gave me." (16)

Outside Source #1:

https://rickwood.com/1948-1950-birmingham-black-baron-willie-mays-8/#:~:text=Mays%20started%20playing%20for%20the,the%20Negro%20American%20League%20championship.

Quote #2: "When the Giants signed me, I found it much easier playing in their minor-league system than playing in the Negro Leagues because the level in the Negro Leagues was so much higher." (54)

Quote #3: "I was crying. I was upset. I wanted to go back to Minneapolis. I told Leo this league might be too fast for me. He said, ""Son, you're my center fielder. You just go out and catch the ball. We'll hit for you."" I was thinking too much. I was being called names. Philadelphia had good pitchers. Leo just told me to go home and get some rest." (60)

Outside Source #2:

https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/may-27-1952-willie-mays-leads-giants-over-dodgers-as-army-induction-approaches/

Quote #4: "I just feel that when you're playing sports, you have to do more than catch the ball and throw it back in. You have to do something different. You've got to improvise sometimes, you've got to create something for the fans. Make it fun. I tried to do something different at all times." (65)

Quote #5: "Davvy made the last out, and they booed him in Milwaukee because the ninth inning ended with me on deck. I teased him about that. ""Man, we should've switched. You should've hit third, should've hit second, I could've gotten another at-bat."" Looking back, I should've had five any-way, but Hank made a great play at the fence/ He was playing center field that day. I remember the whole game. I hit the ball very well." (136)

Outside Source #3:

https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-22-1969-mays-hits-his-600th-homer-and-frank-torre-can-go-home-now/

Quote #6: "We had a good team in '73. We had a good staff, man. The pitching was better than the hitting. Seaver, Mallick, Koosman. McGraw out of the bullpen. We brought in George Stone, a tall lefty who had a good year. We had good guys. We enjoyed each other. I wasn't able to do much because of injuries. When I Hurt my side in Montreal, chasing that ball near the dugout, I could still play first base but couldn't swing the bat. I was going to be there for everyone. For me, I was finishing up, It was time." (190)

Outside Source #4:

https://www.amny.com/sports/willie-mays-closure-mets-retirement-6-26-24/

Quote #7: "Yeah, okay, power and speed. I used speed, but only when I had to use it. He understands. Mike Trout plays every day. I played every day. He's a five-tool player, and he has great instincts in he outfield. But you use your speed when you need to." (267)

Quote #8: "The 2010 Series was wonderful for these kids, and they won a lot of big games in 2012. Buster hit that grand slam in Cincinnati to clinch, and they beat St. Louis. It was a special group going back to Lincecum and Cain and Bumgarner, all those guys who did very well for them-selves and the franchise. I really liked the Kansas city one in '14 when Bumgarner came in and finished the last game. That was a tremendous performance." (296)

Outside Source #5:

https://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Willie-Mays-receives-Medal-of-Freedom-from-6655583.php

Quote #9: "Very few retried players could maintain a leadership presence in the clubhouse after their careers end, but Mays is that guy, usually when your career ends, your voice ends. But with Willie, he'd walk into the clubhouse talking with his high-itched voice like he was in the lineup that day, He'd bring energy as he did as a player. He'd always have something to say, and he'd go right to the guy who was struggling and say something that we all listend to. we all got better because of it." (297)

Quote #10: "I put the ball on a tee for Willie, and he hit it out the park-far more than 660 times with memories, options, and laughter. For his time, dedication, and loyalty, I'm Eternally grateful." (332)