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 Rickwood Field, a place of significant importance in his early career. The San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at Rickwood Field on Thursday evening to celebrate not only Willie Mays but also Rickwood and the Negro Leagues.
Up until very recently, there was hope that Mays would attend this commemorative event. However, on Monday, Mays informed the San Francisco Chronicle that he would not be able to attend. Tragically, he passed away the very next day. Despite his absence, the evening promises to be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance. The journey of this baseball legend began at Rickwood Field, and it is fitting that his memory will be celebrated there.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the Great Depression, and raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham. A gifted multi-sport athlete in high school, he displayed his talent early on by 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 caught the attention of Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager.
The Unconventional Path
At the age of 16, Mays was signed by the Black Barons. However, his father insisted he finish high school, allowing Mays 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 managing two hits against the formidable Chet Brewer. A stroke of misfortune for center fielder Bobby Robinson, who suffered a broken leg, allowed Mays to step into the center field position.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's outfield provided ample space for Mays to demonstrate his exceptional abilities. During this period, scouts were increasingly drawn to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's debut in 1947. Mays played 10 games for the Black Barons, posting a .233/.313/.326 batting average. His 10 hits made at Rickwood Field are accounted for in his official Major League Baseball stats. In 1948, the Black Barons boasted a powerful team with a stellar 63-28-2 record, edging out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. Mays contributed significantly with seven hits and six walks during that series, though the Black Barons eventually lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series. Even playing just once a week, it was evident that Mays was destined for baseball greatness.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays’ first 10 major-league hits were at Rickwood Field, and it is poignant that baseball will bid farewell to him at the same venue. The event is scheduled around Juneteenth next year and will honor Hall of Famer, Giants Legend, and Birmingham native Willie Mays. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it."
Rickwood Field holds the title of the oldest professional ballpark in the United States and was the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. Mays once remarked, "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."
As the event unfolds, Mays' legacy and memories will resonate deeply at Rickwood Field. Fans and players alike will have the opportunity to honor and celebrate the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes. Willie Mays may have passed away, but his contributions to the sport and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.