The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, has passed away at the age of 93. He died just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's Rickwood Field, where his big-league baseball career began.
This Thursday evening, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at Rickwood Field, celebrating Mays, the historic ballpark, and the Negro Leagues. Up until recently, there was hope that Mays would attend the event. However, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he would not be able to make it, and the next day, Willie Mays passed away. Even in his absence, the evening will be filled with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance, as fans and players honor his enduring spirit and legacy.
The Early Years
Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born in 1931, during the Great Depression. He was raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham, where he emerged as a gifted multi-sport athlete in high school. Mays played in the 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 his talent caught the eye of Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager.
The Unconventional Path
At the young age of 16, Mays was signed by the Black Barons. His father, however, insisted that he finish high school. As a result, Mays could only participate 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 achieving two hits against Chet Brewer. A twist of fate allowed Mays to play center field after the incumbent center fielder, Bobby Robinson, sustained a broken leg.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field’s spacious outfield provided the perfect stage for Mays to showcase his extraordinary abilities. The era following Jackie Robinson’s debut in 1947 saw major league scouts flock to the Negro Leagues, and Mays’ potential did not go unnoticed. Over 10 games with the Black Barons, he posted a .233/.313/.326 batting average. Notably, the 10 hits he made at Rickwood are included in his official MLB statistics. The Black Barons were a formidable team in 1948, boasting a 63-28-2 record and edging out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. Mays contributed seven hits and six walks during that series. Although the Black Barons ultimately lost to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series, Mays' sporadic but spectacular appearances hinted at his future greatness.
The Legacy of Greatness
Willie Mays' journey to baseball immortality started at Rickwood Field, where he secured his first 10 major-league hits. Fittingly, baseball will bid him farewell at the same historic venue. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," echoed the sentiments surrounding this emotional tribute.
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S., was once the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The event, scheduled around Juneteenth next year, aims to honor Hall of Famer, Giants Legend, and Birmingham native Willie Mays. Reflecting on this momentous occasion, Mays had previously shared, "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."
In conclusion, Rickwood Field will resonate with the legacy and memories of Willie Mays during this event. Fans and players will come together to celebrate and honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes, paying tribute to the remarkable journey of Willie Mays from his humble beginnings to becoming a legendary figure in the world of baseball.