Say Hey, it's a legend

SAN FRANCISCO -- Willie Mays stepped out of the pink convertible in a narrow alley behind the left-field line, and one of baseball's greatest living players exhaled with a smile.

"That was a good ride there," Mays said, looking at the shiny 1958 Cadillac Eldorado that took him on a memorable pregame lap around the field before Tuesday night's All-Star game.

Mays made a brief but dramatic appearance at the San Francisco Giants' waterfront ballpark to kick off the night. Though a statue of the outfielder greets hundreds of tourists and fans every day in front of the stadium at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, he received the latest showcase for baseball's living heroes at its big midseason event.

"This is a great honor," Mays said. "There have been so many great All-Star games. I think the Giants really went all out. ... I don't think it's about Barry or myself. It's about the city of San Francisco. I was glad to be someone picked to be the representative of San Francisco."

The 76-year-old Mays already knows plenty about All-Star games. He appeared in 24 -- one of his few records that hasn't been surpassed by Barry Bonds, his godson and successor as the soul of the Giants franchise. Ted Williams even said the All-Star game was invented for Mays.

"It's going to be great to see [Mays]," Cincinnati outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. said before the game. "He's the one that a lot of guys look up to, especially guys like me. He was just a great, great player."

After pregame introductions, both squads of All-Stars made their way to center field while highlights from Mays' career played on the giant video board. Mays entered the field through the outfield fence, wearing a Giants cap and a jacket with his No. 24 on the back.

Mays said he had never been in center field in the Giants' stadium, which opened in 2000 -- and one of the most sublime fielders in baseball history hadn't been on any major league outfield grass since San Francisco's last season in Candlestick Park in 1999.

"I would love to hit in this ballpark," Mays said.

Mays waved as he walked between two rows of clapping All-Stars. He then made a ceremonial first throw from center field, his old stomping grounds.

Escorted by Bonds and Yankees captain Derek Jeter, Mays gave his jacket to Griffey before climbing on the back of the car for a tour of the park, throwing baseballs to the fans from two boxes sitting next to him.

Perhaps the event didn't pack the visceral impact of Williams' return to Fenway Park before the All-Star game in 1999, but that's because sightings of Mays are hardly news in San Francisco. He makes an annual appearance at spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., and shows up at regular-season games whenever possible.

The Bay Area fans who unconditionally worship Bonds have the same love for Mays, who hit 660 homers and earned first-ballot election to the Hall of Fame. After beginning his career in New York, Mays moved to San Francisco with the Giants in 1958, eventually playing parts of 15 seasons in the city.