Sen. Dodd, Lawmakers to Designate ‘Willie Mays Highway’

SAN FRANCISCO – In recognition of the contributions to sport and society made by the late baseball icon Willie Mays, Sens. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and other Bay Area legislators announced today a resolution to name a portion of Interstate 80 in San Francisco the Willie Mays Highway.

“Willie Mays’ career was nothing short of extraordinary,” Sen. Dodd said. “He was arguably the greatest player of all time and left an indelible mark on the sport while breaking barriers for other Black players. I met Willie Mays when I was a kid and that cemented me as a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan. He was my idol. He made us all proud to live in the Bay Area so it is fitting that we name this highway in his honor. I’m pleased to see that not only does this have bipartisan support, it has the backing of my colleagues to the south who are lifelong Dodgers fans.”

Willie Mays, who died at 93 on June 18, played in the major leagues for 23 seasons, most notably for the New York and San Francisco Giants, and in his final year, the New York Mets. He began his playing career in the Negro Leagues, served in the Army during the Korean War, and was among the first African American players to get called up to the majors. Nicknamed the Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979 and was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015. His Say Hey Foundation continues to provide underprivileged youth with the chance to play baseball.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 169 would direct the Department of Transportation to designate a portion of I-80 where the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge enters the city near Oracle Park as the Willie Mays Highway. Signs would be paid for with private funding. SCR 169 is co-authored by members of the Senate and the Assembly.

“Willie Mays was a San Francisco original,” said Sen. Wiener. “A peerless talent and unforgettable presence on the field, he dedicated untold hours to serving his community and empowering young people from humble beginnings to play sports. He broke barriers as one of the first Black players in Major League Baseball, empowering generations of athletes to follow their dreams. It’s only right that we honor him publicly, in the community he loved, and I’m thrilled to present this resolution to do so.”

“It is an honor to join Sen. Dodd and my colleagues in introducing this resolution to name a portion of I-80 in San Francisco after the legendary Willie Mays,” said Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, D-Suisun City. “This dedication will serve as a daily reminder to Californians of the great Willie Mays, celebrating his immense contributions and long list of achievements both on and off the field. As chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I am proud to recognize and honor his enduring legacy and the significant impact he has had on our cultural and historical heritage.”

“Willie Mays is a legend in our city,” said Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, who grew up going to baseball games with his parents in the city. “He played his last game in 1973, but every kid in San Francisco still knows his name. Naming this highway after our local hero is a just one small way we can honor this giant.”

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Senator Bill Dodd represents Senate District 3, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. More information on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.