The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, one of baseball's inner-circle greats, passed away at the age of 93. His death came just two days before a planned celebration in his honor at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field.
It was at Rickwood Field that Mays' illustrious big-league baseball career began. The San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals are scheduled to play a game at Rickwood Field on Thursday evening. This event, intended to celebrate Mays, Rickwood Field, and the Negro Leagues, has now taken on an even more profound significance.
Despite hopes that Mays would attend the event, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he would not be able to make it. Tragically, Mays passed away the following day. Nevertheless, the evening will still be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales highlighting Mays' brilliance and contributions to the sport.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the height of the Great Depression. He was raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham, Alabama, where he developed his athletic skills. A gifted multi-sport athlete in high school, Mays played outfield alongside his father for a local team and later for a semi-pro outfit known as the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons. It was here that Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, first noticed his talent.
The Unconventional Path
The Birmingham Black Barons signed Mays at the tender age of 16, but his father insisted that he finish high school. As a result, Mays was only able to play in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. He made his debut in the second game of a doubleheader, playing left field, batting seventh, and impressively collecting two hits against pitcher Chet Brewer. A fortuitous opportunity arose when center fielder Bobby Robinson broke his leg, allowing Mays to move to center field and showcase his exceptional abilities.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's spacious outfield provided the perfect stage for Mays to demonstrate his skills. Around this time, major league scouts were increasingly drawn to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's historic debut in 1947. In his brief stint with the Black Barons, Mays played 10 games, posting a .233/.313/.326 batting average. Remarkably, the 10 hits he recorded at Rickwood Field are included in his official MLB statistics.
In 1948, the Black Barons boasted a formidable 63-28-2 record. They edged out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series, with Mays contributing seven hits and six walks. However, the Black Barons ultimately lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series. Mays' ability to shine while playing just once a week was an early sign of his future greatness.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays' journey from humble beginnings to baseball greatness began and now symbolically ends at Rickwood Field. His first 10 major-league hits were recorded at this historic ballpark, and it is there that baseball will bid him farewell.
"It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," Mays once said about Rickwood Field.
Rickwood Field is the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, having served as the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The scheduled game around Juneteenth next year will honor Willie Mays, a Hall of Famer, Giants legend, and Birmingham native.
Mays expressed his emotions about the event: "It has been 75 years since I played for the Birmingham Black Barons at Rickwood Field, and to learn that my Giants and the Cardinals will play a game there and honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues and all those who came before them is really emotional for me. We can't forget what got us here, and that was the Negro Leagues for so many of us."
Mays' legacy and memories will echo throughout Rickwood Field during the event. Fans and players alike will gather to honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes, ensuring that Willie Mays' contributions to the sport are remembered and celebrated for generations to come.