The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball legend, died at the age of 93. He passed away two days before he was set to be honored at Birmingham's Rickwood Field, a place of immense significance in his storied career. Mays' journey to baseball greatness began right there, and it is fitting that his memory will be celebrated at the historic venue.
This week, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at Rickwood Field in honor of Mays, the ballpark, and the Negro Leagues. This event aims to celebrate the legacy of one of baseball’s most illustrious figures. Until recently, there was hope that Mays would attend; however, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he wouldn't be able to make it, and he passed away the following day. Nonetheless, the evening promises to be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance.
The Early Years
Born in 1931, during the challenging times of the Great Depression, Willie Mays was raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham. From a young age, Mays showcased his athletic talents in multiple sports during his high school years. He played outfield alongside his father for a local team and later joined a semi-pro outfit. Additionally, he played for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons. Piper Davis, the manager of the Black Barons, quickly noticed Mays' prodigious talent.
The Unconventional Path
At just 16 years old, Mays signed with the Black Barons. However, his father insisted that he complete high school, which limited Mays to playing only in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. Mays made his debut in the second game of a doubleheader, playing left field, batting seventh, and collecting two hits against Chet Brewer. A broken leg suffered by center fielder Bobby Robinson soon provided Mays the opportunity to play center field, a position where he would eventually become legendary.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field’s spacious outfield gave Mays the perfect stage to demonstrate his abilities. At this time, scouts were increasingly drawn to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's historic debut in 1947. Mays played ten games for the Black Barons, achieving a .233/.313/.326 batting average. The ten hits Mays recorded at Rickwood Field are included in his official MLB statistics. During the 1948 season, the Black Barons had an impressive record of 63-28-2, edging out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. Mays was instrumental in this success, achieving seven hits and six walks throughout the series, although the Black Barons eventually lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series.
The Legacy of Greatness
Rickwood Field saw the beginning of Mays’ journey to baseball greatness, where his first ten major league hits were recorded. Now, in a poignant twist, baseball will say goodbye to him at the same venue. As Mays once reflected, "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."
Rickwood Field holds a special place in baseball history as the oldest professional ballpark in the United States. It was the home ground for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The forthcoming event, scheduled around Juneteenth next year, will honor Hall of Famer and Giants Legend, 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," Mays once said. "We can't forget what got us here and that was the Negro Leagues for so many of us."
The enduring spirit of one of baseball's all-time greats, Willie Mays, will resonate deeply at Rickwood Field during this special event. Fans and players alike will gather to honor the incredible legacy of a man who not only changed the game but also inspired countless others along the way.