By Dana Caldwell

As a young child growing up in Milpitas, I became a Giants fan. Baseball was something I could do and my Dad encouraged my learning of the game. He took me to Giants games and told me if I wanted to learn the game, that I should watch Willie Mays as he was the best player on the field. I took his advice and watched him with enthusiasm. 

When I played, I wanted to play like Willie. My first baseball glove was a Macgregor Willie Mays model. I was devastated when he was traded to the Mets in 1972. I called my Mom’s cousin who worked in the Giants marketing department and asked him how they could possibly trade Willie Mays. He gave an 11 year old a lesson on the business side of baseball.

Fast forward to 1992.

I was the Service & Parts Director at Peter Pan BMW in San Mateo. Willie owned a couple BMW’s and was a friend of the owner. The owner introduced me to Willie and told me to always take care of him when he needed something.

Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to start a relationship with my boyhood sports idol. Whenever Willie came in, he’d come straight to my office and sit down. We’d always talk about the Giants and baseball before we ever talked about his car. 

Over the years as his eyesight got worse and he did not drive as much, I told Willie to just call me, and I’d come get his car. He liked that offer. I made several visits to Willie’s home over the years. Every time I went there, I would spend a few hours with him. We’d talk baseball, the Giants and life in general. He loved to talk with people and I was so fortunate to have these conversations with him. 

I asked him about his youth and growing up in the south. He was very open about what he faced as a young man and the racism that he endured even when he got to San Francisco.

During one of my first visits to his house, he invited me out to his office in the backyard. I walked in and to my amazement it was like a mini hall of fame. It was loaded with pictures, trophies and other memorabilia. I stood in the center of the room and did a slow 360 degree turn taking it all in. I was in heaven! I spent about an hour or so walking around the room, studying each trophy, picture and other memorabilia. Willie was impressed that I could even identify the game that a few of the pictures were from.  

I asked Willie about the trade to the Mets. He told me that the owner of the Mets, Joan Payson, wanted him to come home to finish his career. The Giants were having some financial difficulties and the money that was sent as part of the trade helped to keep the Giants financially afloat. Some 20 plus years later, I now understood. I also told Willie about my father’s instructions to pay attention to him if I wanted to learn the game of baseball as Willie was the best player. Willie’s response to me was “your dad is a smart man”.

Willie was also quite generous to me. He knew I had three daughters and was always giving me Giants gear for them. To this day they still treasure the three Giants dugout jackets he gave them. He also knew I coached high school basketball and always asked if I needed and signed baseballs for fundraisers. I have a few items he gave me over the years that will always be treasured parts of my collection. 

In my career I’ve been fortunate to meet many famous people. Some I developed friendships with and some were just casual acquaintances. Every time I left Willie’s house, I’d think to myself “I just sat and had a conversation with the greatest baseball player to ever play the game.”

Willie was more than just a baseball player, he is an icon in American culture. It’s not often in life that we meet our childhood heroes and have them live up to who we expected them to be. Willie far exceeded my expectations and I am so honored to have him be a part of my life.