The Passing of a Legend
Willie Mays, an inner-circle baseball great, has died at the age of 93. His passing marks the end of an era, and it comes just two days before he was set to be honored at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field—the very place where his illustrious big-league baseball career began.
This Thursday evening, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will play a game at Rickwood Field, an event that will celebrate Mays, the stadium itself, and the Negro Leagues. Up until recently, there was hope that Mays would attend the event. Sadly, he informed the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that he would not be able to make it. The following day, Willie Mays passed away.
Although he won’t be there in person, the evening will still be rich with appreciations, memories, and tales of Mays' brilliance. His journey to baseball greatness, which began at Rickwood Field, will be poignantly revisited during this special tribute.
The Early Years
Willie Mays was born in 1931, during the Great Depression. Raised in the mill towns outside Birmingham, he showcased his athletic prowess from an early age. A gifted multi-sport athlete in high school, Mays played the outfield alongside his father for a local team, eventually stepping up to semi-pro baseball. He also played for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, a farm team for the Birmingham Black Barons, where his exceptional skills caught the eye of Piper Davis, the Black Barons' manager.
The Unconventional Path
At just 16, Mays was signed by the Black Barons, but his father insisted he finish high school. Consequently, Mays could only participate in the Black Barons' weekend home games at Rickwood Field. He debuted in the second game of a doubleheader, playing left field, batting seventh, and managing two hits against pitcher Chet Brewer. A broken leg suffered by then-center fielder Bobby Robinson soon allowed Mays to take over in center field, allowing him to truly shine.
Scouting the Prodigy
Rickwood Field's expansive outfield provided the perfect stage for Mays to demonstrate his prodigious talents. With Jackie Robinson having broken the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947, scouts were increasingly drawn to the Negro Leagues to discover new talent. During his time with the Black Barons, Mays played 10 games, boasting a .233/.313/.326 batting average. The 10 hits he made at Rickwood are included in his official MLB stats.
The Black Barons were an immense force in 1948, finishing the season with a 63-28-2 record and eventually edging out the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League Series. Mays had seven hits and six walks during that series, though the Black Barons ultimately fell to the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series. Playing only once a week was a sign of Mays' future greatness, providing a tantalizing glimpse of what was to come.
The Legacy of Greatness
Mays’ first 10 major-league hits came at Rickwood Field. Now, as the baseball community prepares to say goodbye to this legend at the same place, the significance of the moment cannot be overstated. "It'll be a special day, and I hope the kids will enjoy it and be inspired by it," someone close to Mays remarked.
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S., holds a special place in baseball history. It was the home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. The upcoming event, scheduled around Juneteenth next year, will honor Hall of Famer, Giants Legend, and Birmingham native Willie Mays. As Mays himself once noted, "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' legacy and memories will resonate deeply at Rickwood Field during this heartfelt event. Fans and players alike will come together to honor the enduring spirit of one of baseball's greatest heroes, paying tribute to his phenomenal career and the indelible mark he left on the game.