The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, passed away at the age of 93. He died just two days before he was to be honored at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field—a stadium where his illustrious big-league career began.
On Thursday evening, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at Rickwood Field in his honor. This event will celebrate Mays, Rickwood Field, and the rich history of the Negro Leagues. Although there was hope Mays would attend, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he would not be able to make it. Tragically, Willie Mays passed away the following day. Despite this, the evening will still resound with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance.
The Early Years
Born in 1931 during the Great Depression, Willie Mays grew up in the mill towns outside Birmingham. From an early age, Mays displayed tremendous athletic talent across multiple sports. His prodigious skills caught the eye of local teams. He played outfield alongside his father for a local team before moving on to a semi-pro outfit. He also played for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons. It was here that Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager, first noticed Mays' extraordinary talent.
The Unconventional Path
At just 16 years old, Mays was signed by the Black Barons. However, his father insisted he finish high school, limiting 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 achieving two hits against pitcher Chet Brewer. When center fielder Bobby Robinson broke his leg, Mays got the chance to move to center field, where he truly began to shine.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's outfield offered Mays ample opportunity to demonstrate his abilities, attracting scouts who were flocking to the Negro Leagues following Jackie Robinson's 1947 debut. Mays' brief but impactful stint with the Black Barons included 10 games, during which he posted a .233/.313/.326 batting average. His 10 hits at Rickwood Field are included in his official Major League Baseball statistics.
The Black Barons were a formidable team in 1948, boasting a 63-28-2 record. They triumphed over the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series, a feat in which young Mays contributed seven hits and six walks. However, the Black Barons fell to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series. Playing just once a week was enough to underscore the young player's future greatness.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays’ first 10 major-league hits were recorded at Rickwood Field, and fittingly, baseball will honor his legacy at the same place. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," Mays once said.
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S., was home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. An event is scheduled around Juneteenth next year to honor Hall of Famer and Giants legend Willie Mays, a Birmingham native. "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 to 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.
The upcoming event at Rickwood Field will serve as a momentous occasion to remember and celebrate Willie Mays' incredible life and career. Fans and players alike will gather to honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes. As memories of Mays resonate through Rickwood Field, his legacy continues to inspire and captivate generations.