The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, passed away at the age of 93. His death came just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field, a place where his legendary big-league career began.
A Celebration of Mays, Rickwood Field, and the Negro Leagues
The San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals are set to play a commemorative game at Rickwood Field on Thursday evening. This event is designed to celebrate not just Mays, but also the storied history of Rickwood Field and the Negro Leagues, where Mays' extraordinary journey to baseball greatness began.
Up until recently, there was hope that Mays himself would be able to attend the event. However, on Monday, Mays informed the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be present. Tragically, he passed away the following day. Despite his absence, the evening promises to be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance on the diamond.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the depths of the Great Depression, and was raised in the mill towns outside of Birmingham, Alabama. From a young age, Mays demonstrated his gifts as a multi-sport athlete in high school, eventually playing outfield alongside his father for a local team and later for a semi-pro outfit. He also played for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons, where he first caught the attention of Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager.
The Unconventional Path
The Birmingham Black Barons signed Mays at the tender age of 16. However, his father insisted that he finish high school first. Consequently, Mays was permitted to play only 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 scoring two hits against renowned pitcher Chet Brewer. When center fielder Bobby Robinson broke his leg, Mays was moved to center field, a position where he would showcase his prodigious talent.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's expansive outfield became the stage for Mays to exhibit his remarkable skills. As scouts turned their attention to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking debut in 1947, Mays' talents did not go unnoticed. During his stint with the Black Barons, he played 10 games, achieving a batting average of .233/.313/.326. The 10 hits Mays recorded at Rickwood Field are officially included in his Major League Baseball statistics.
In 1948, the Black Barons were a powerful team, finishing the season with a 63-28-2 record. They edged out the Kansas City Monarchs to win the Negro American League Series, with Mays contributing seven hits and six walks in that series. Although they lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series, Mays' weekly appearances were a harbinger of the greatness that lay ahead.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays’ first 10 major-league hits were at Rickwood Field. Fittingly, baseball will bid him adieu at the same hallowed ground. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," Mays once reflected.
Rickwood Field stands as the oldest professional ballpark in the United States and was the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The commemorative event has been scheduled around Juneteenth next year and will honor Hall of Famer, Giants Legend, and Birmingham native Willie Mays.
"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 reflected before his passing.
As fans and players gather at Rickwood Field, they will honor the enduring spirit and legacy of one of baseball's greatest heroes. The memories of Willie Mays and his extraordinary contributions to the sport will undoubtedly resonate deeply, imbuing the event with a sense of history, reverence, and celebration.