The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, has passed away at the age of 93. His death came just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's Rickwood Field, where his illustrious big-league baseball career began. This Thursday evening, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a commemorative game at Rickwood Field. The event, planned as a celebration of Mays, Rickwood, and the Negro Leagues, will proceed with rich appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance, even in his absence.
Until recently, there was hope that Mays would attend the event. However, on Monday, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be able to make it. Sadly, on Tuesday, Willie Mays passed away. Yet, the evening's purpose remains intact: to honor the incredible journey and legacy of one of baseball's greatest heroes.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the Great Depression, and raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham. He was a gifted multi-sport athlete in high school, playing the outfield alongside his father for a local team before advancing to a semi-pro outfit. Mays also played for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons, where he caught the attention of Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager.
The Unconventional Path
The Black Barons signed Mays when he was just 16 years old. However, his father insisted that he finish high school first. As a result, Mays could only play in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. His debut came in the second game of a doubleheader, where he played left field, batted seventh, and amassed two hits against pitcher Chet Brewer. When center fielder Bobby Robinson broke his leg, Mays seized the opportunity to play center field, showcasing his exceptional skills.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's expansive outfield provided Mays with the perfect stage to demonstrate his abilities. Scouts were increasingly drawn to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's debut in 1947, and Mays' talent did not go unnoticed. Over 10 games with the Black Barons, he posted a .233/.313/.326 batting average. These 10 hits at Rickwood Field are included in his official MLB stats. The Black Barons were a powerhouse in 1948, ending the season with a 63-28-2 record and edging out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. Mays stood out in the series with seven hits and six walks, although the Black Barons ultimately lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series.
Playing once a week highlighted Mays' future greatness, giving a glimpse of the prodigious talent that would make him a legend.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays' first 10 major-league hits came at Rickwood Field, a historic ground that will now serve as the backdrop for baseball's farewell to him. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," Mays had exclaimed earlier. The event scheduled around Juneteenth next year aims to honor not only Hall of Famer and Giants Legend Willie Mays but also the enduring legacy of the Negro Leagues. Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S., was home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. As Mays poignantly noted, "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."
The memories and legacy of Willie Mays will deeply resonate at Rickwood Field during the event. Fans and players alike will have the opportunity to honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes, ensuring that Willie Mays' journey from the mill towns of Birmingham to the pinnacle of baseball greatness is never forgotten.