The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s director of transportation, Ed Reiskin, said both Mays and the city’s cable cars are iconic. He believes naming one of the cable cars after the Hall of Famer was a fitting tribute. The cable car named after Mays was No. 24, which is his old jersey number that the Giants have retired.
Cable car No. 24 was originally constructed in 1887 and was rebuilt by Muni craft workers in 1958. That was the same year that Mays and the Giants moved west from New York to San Francisco. The cable car represented the city at the Chicago Railroad Fair in 1948 and in Los Angeles in 1950.
Malcolm Heinicke, Mays’ friend and lawyer, came up with the idea to name the cable car after Mays after riding on the car with his son, Al, who noted that the cable car had the same number as Mays’ old jersey. Heinicke suggested naming the car after Mays to Mayor Ed Lee at the Giants’ World Series celebration that was held at the White House this June.
President Obama sent a videotaped speech praising Mays for his accomplishments on the field. Mays played in 24 All-Star Games and was named Most Valuable Player twice. Obama presented Mays with the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year.
Mays took a ride on the newly dedicated cable car along with several city officials and other dignitaries. He spoke before the dedication and became emotional as he thanked many people for the good things they have done for him. Fans lined up to have their pictures taken with Mays.
Although Willie Mays is retired, the San Francisco Giants are still playing baseball. You can see them or another sports team compete in person. buyTickets.com sells tickets to Major League Baseball games and other professional football, basketball, hockey, and soccer games. We have tickets to see the San Francisco Giants or your other favorite sports team compete. buyTickets.com also has seats available for concerts by many famous musicians and theatrical performances. Order tickets for an upcoming event today.