‘Willie Mays Highway’ bill approved by California Legislature

The California Legislature approved a resolution from State Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and colleagues statewide to name a portion of Interstate 80 in San Francisco after the late baseball icon, Willie Mays.

“This is an absolute homerun,” Dodd said in a news release. “Willie Mays endeared himself to generations of San Francisco Giants fans, including myself, so naming a street near the ballpark after him is the perfect tribute. Now generations to come will travel along Willie Mays Highway on the way to watch the Giants while the all-time great in a No. 24 jersey is beaming down from heaven at a grateful city.”

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 two years, 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 after hitting 660 home runs and one World Series in 1954.  He was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015.

With the approval of Senate Concurrent Resolution 169, the portion of I-80 where the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge enters the city near Oracle Park is now officially the Willie Mays Highway. Signs will be paid for with private funding. SCR 169 is co-authored by numerous members of the Senate and the Assembly, “even including some Dodgers fans,” Dodd said.

Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, D-Suisun City, was also thrilled.

“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 Wilson in the same news release. “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.”